Performance Improvement Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2)- 3 Limited Duration Positions Available!

$59,976 - $91,764/Yr

Employment Department - Salem, OR

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Salem, OR

10,001+ employees

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

As a Performance Improvement Specialist within the Oregon Employment Department's Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance, you will be at the forefront of driving positive change and enhancing services and outcomes. This role is designed for results-oriented professionals who are passionate about continuous improvement and possess strong interpersonal skills. You will engage with various teams to streamline processes, empower staff, and improve customer experiences. Your analytical mindset and proactive approach will be essential in transforming the organization through innovative ideas and data-driven decision-making. In this position, you will contribute to and implement programs that support data-informed decision-making and increase operational performance. You will lead partnerships with different divisions and service areas, working collaboratively to establish methods for gathering insights that facilitate ongoing process improvements. Your responsibilities will include creating and leveraging data, conducting research and analyses, leading process improvement activities, training and coaching teams, facilitating meetings, and providing project management support for assigned projects and cross-collaborative efforts. The ideal candidate will be results-oriented, focused on achieving measurable outcomes, and capable of building relationships with diverse teams. You will need to convey complex concepts clearly and guide teams through change, utilizing your experience in project implementation and Lean process improvements. Your analytical skills will be crucial in assessing performance and identifying areas for improvement, while your adaptability and commitment to learning will help you thrive in a dynamic environment. Familiarity with methodologies such as Six Sigma, Agile, or Lean is preferred, along with strong communication skills to produce clear narratives and reports. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within the Oregon Employment Department while fostering a culture of fairness, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and implement programs supporting data-informed decision-making.
• Lead partnerships with divisions/service areas to improve operational performance.
• Establish methods for gathering insights for ongoing process improvement.
• Co-create resources and recommend initiatives that meet organizational needs.
• Create and leverage data to conduct research and analyses.
• Lead process improvement activities and train teams.
• Facilitate meetings and provide project management support for assigned projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science, or a related field.
• Two years of professional-level evaluative, analytical, and planning work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience totaling five years.
• Strong analytical skills to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Outstanding interpersonal and verbal skills to influence and build relationships with diverse teams.
• Ability to convey complex concepts in an understandable manner.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing projects or Lean process improvements.

Nice-to-haves

• Background in facilitation and capacity to coach and mentor staff.
• Expertise in methodologies like Six Sigma, Agile, or Lean.
• Project management certification preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with project management and performance improvement tools such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, MS Teams, and Visio.

Benefits

• Work/life balance with 11 paid holidays a year.
• Competitive benefits package including potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• A workplace that fosters fairness, equity, and inclusion.
• Opportunities for learning and mentoring in a creative environment.