Compliance Specialist (Program Specialist 3)

Interested in helping shine a light on money in politics so that the people of Washington state understand who and what is influencing their elected officials? Are you skilled at explaining complex laws, rules, and procedures in layman's language and applying them to real-world situations? The PDC may be the place for you!

Schedule: Typically 8am-5pm, with flexible/hybrid work hours available. There will be a minimum of one day per week in-person (office) with minimal off-site travel for meetings and limited travel for training or conferences. Additional days may be required dependent on office needs.

What you will be doing:
You will initiate operations, case management, and enforcement activities for the enforcement program within the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). You will work independently to handle routine investigative and enforcement matters, including those requiring hearings before the full Commission. You will initiate audits of regulated entities, provide guidance to filers for compliance, and respond to inquiries regarding the application of public disclosure laws, respond to inquiries from complainants and respondents during the initial filing of complaints and manage initial and routine enforcement activities with minimal supervision. Additionally, the role involves drafting letters, utilizing agency data to ensure compliance and track program effectiveness, collaborating with internal and external customers to provide the public with timely and meaningful data, supporting senior staff with more complex issues, and providing strategic guidance in the development and implementation of program policies and procedures.

Who we are looking for:

We need someone with superior attention to detail, who can perform independently, with knowledge of political and lobbying practices, including relevant laws, rules, and their applications. If you are someone who wants to work with a collaborative team of dedicated staff and are committed to ensuring public access to information, this job is for you!

Duties

Here ’s just some of what you’ll enjoy doing in this role:

• Coordinating, managing, receiving and processing complaints and inquiries.
• Resolving routine investigations.
• Serving as the primary initial contact with program participants for investigation and enforcement inquiries.
• Providing technical assistance to respondents and consultation to higher-level compliance staff.
• Recommending resolutions to complex problems.
• Serving as a subject matter expert and customer liaison for program policies and procedures related to investigation and enforcement.
• Drafting proposed case closures, and preparing other communications in line with enforcement processes.
• Gathering and preparing case evidence for senior staff and program leadership using the full suite of investigatory tools.
• Maintaining and updating databases to monitor program activities and track metrics.
• Assisting with requests for reporting modifications.
• Analyzing internal data for group enforcement.
• Preparing and distributing enforcement-related documents.
• Making penalty recommendations and present cases at hearings.
• Leading the development and implementation of new program initiatives to enhance compliance and enforcement processes.
• Providing strategic recommendations for policy changes to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Assisting in strategic planning efforts to define program goals, objectives, and performance measures.
• Identifying appropriate recipients and planning and conducting targeted outreach to ensure success of investigations and enforcement activities.

Salary

• $4,882 - $6,414/month

Qualifications

Candidates with relevant experience, certifications, or community involvement in financial management or regulatory compliance are encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants who have gained experience through various paths, including volunteer work, internships, or community service roles.

REQUIRED:

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.

AND
At least two (2) years of experience in investigations, regulatory analysis, compliance, auditing, communications, law, program administration or a related field.

**Relevant professional experiences may be considered as a substitute for formal education.

AND

• Strong ability to communicate effectively in all formats to diverse audiences.
• Proficient in Microsoft OneDrive and Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams) and familiar with other professional desktop and online collaboration tools, with a focus on creating and modifying documents and managing data.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, maintain, and organize data.

Other Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting.
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview).

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not “refer to resume” for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:
The Public Disclosure Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at 360-407-8446 or by email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026