Process Improvement Specialist

Job Posting Title Process Improvement Specialist Agency 265 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Supervisory Organization Department of Education–Oliver Hodge Education Building Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank) September 21, 2024 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above. Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank) Full/Part-Time Full time Job Type Regular Compensation up to $85,000/year Discover the Benefits of Joining Our Team! Are you ready to take the next step in your career with an agency that values your well-being? Look no further! At OSDE, we're proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support you and your family every step of the way. • Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,099.12 annually, tailored to family size, for purchasing benefits. • Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Choose from a variety of insurance plans with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations. • Flexible Spending Accounts: Manage healthcare expenses and/or dependent care with ease. • Full Participation in TRS: Enjoy employer-covered contributions (7.5% of annual salary) for Teacher’s Retirement System participation. • Generous Leave Policy: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in their first year. • Paid Holidays: Benefit from 11 paid holidays per year. • Employee Discounts: Access discounts with various companies and vendors. • Longevity Bonus: Earn a bonus after completing two years of service, with bonuses continuing annually thereafter. • Compensatory Time: FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt employees receive compensatory time. • Employee Assistance Program: Access support and resources through our Employee Assistance Program. Job Description ABOUT US At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs – we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team. As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve. Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve. If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place. Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma. For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at www.sde.ok.gov. POSITION OVERVIEW The Oklahoma State Department of Education is seeking a Process Improvement Specialist to drive operational excellence throughout the organization. The ideal candidate will leverage Lean Six Sigma methodologies to analyze current processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement strategic improvements that enhance performance, reduce costs, and improve the quality of our educational services. Please note: this role does not allow for any form of remote work, including telecommuting or hybrid arrangements. The nature of this position necessitates a consistent in-person presence. Prospective candidates should be aware that the responsibilities associated with this role require physical presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field [official transcripts required upon hire]; Three(3) years of experience in process improvement, project management, or related role; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience in an educational or public sector environment. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Project Management Professional (PMP) Operations, process improvement, and/or project management experience will be evaluated in lieu of certifications. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future; Successful completion of a pre-employment background check; Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Process Analysis and Optimization: Conduct comprehensive reviews of existing procedures and workflows to identify areas for efficiency gains; Utilize Lean Six Sigma tools to analyze data, map processes, and optimize workflows; Develop and implement process improvements that significantly reduce waste, simplify procedures, and enhance service delivery Project Management: Lead and manage projects from inception through to successful completion, ensuring they deliver within timeframes and budgets; Coordinate with various departments to ensure smooth implementation of new processes and systems; Provide regular updates to stakeholders on project status and impact. Training and Development: Train and mentor staff in Lean Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques; Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization; Develop training materials and sessions to build capacity across the agency. Performance Monitoring: Establish metrics and benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of implemented processes; Continuously monitor and report on the performance of new processes, adjusting strategies as necessary to align with organizational goals. Professional Demeanor: Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance. Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers. Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education. Efficiency: Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices. Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a favorable impression. ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation. Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work. Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Including being open-minded, respectful, and responsive to others’ ideas and perspectives. Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the teams’ objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success. Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances. Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections, and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems, and develop innovative solutions to address them. Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances. Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes. Possess strong interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations constructively and professionally. Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware, and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Location: Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Work is typically performed in a climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise. While performing the duties of the job, employee is frequently required to talk, stand, walk. This position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time; Ability to stand, reach and bend 50% of the time; Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, office telephone 75% of the time; Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time; Communicate with others accurately and effectively 100%; Ability to lift to 25 lbs. TRAVEL Less than 10% in-state/out-of-state travel may be required to conduct, facilitate, and/or attend meetings and trainings. EEO STATEMENT The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. DISCLAIMER This job description is intended to provide a general understanding of the position's essential duties and responsibilities. It is not an employment contract or agreement, and the duties may change as per business needs without prior notice. The employer reserves the right to modify, revise, or terminate any policies, procedures, or benefits described herein at any time, with or without notice. Equal Opportunity Employment The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub. Oklahoma State Government is the largest employer in the state of Oklahoma, employing over 35,000 diverse and talented employees in more than 100 state agencies, boards and commissions. Our workplaces can be found across the state from Boise City to Idabel, Hollis to Miami, and everywhere in between. To learn more about our state agencies, visit here. Industries: Government Administration Worker Size: 10,001 Employees Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Utilizing the Office of Veterans Placement provides eligible veterans additional services and interview opportunities for State of Oklahoma employment. Visit the webpage for additional details and information on how to apply.

Salary : $21,099 - $85,000