Assistant Audit Director

Assistant Audit Director

WMS Band 2

Salary Range: $101,232- $111,252 Annually

This position is telework/hybrid eligible. The candidate of choice may work from anywhere within the state of Washington with a reliable internet connection.

Please note: a significant amount of travel throughout Washington State is required in order to accomplish the duties of this role.

The Washington State Department of Corrections is committed to ensuring we are a transparent and accountable state agency. Through this, our Audit and Ethics team is committed to providing independent, risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight regarding the organizational value and governance processes. To accomplish this task, we are seeking a self-driven and knowledgeable individual to join our Ethics and Audit Unit as the Assistant Audit Director! The goal of this position is to provide contribute to public safety by leading and participating in inspections, audits, and reviews to assess the effectiveness of agency operations.  

As the Assistant Audit Director, you will utilize a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of, and compliance with risk management, controls, and governance processes, including state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and DOC policies. This position supports the accomplishment of strategic objectives by working to ensure established operational practices, and related controls are adequate and operating effectively, efficiently, and safely.  

The candidate of choice will design, organize, and conduct audits, investigations, and reviews, and will act as the liaison for Operation Reviews, while assuming responsibility for assessing agency risk and evaluating operations, systems, governance, and internal controls. You will travel a significant amount to provide objective, independent, and professional analyses of selected agency operations and processes within DOC locations statewide. 

The ideal Assistant Audit Director is expected to follow up on previous audit Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and adhere to The IIA Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct, while incorporating the principles of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency. In addition, you must be able to challenge the status quo when necessary, and identify areas where processes, operations and/or policies require change to achieve compliance and/or to better serve the agency. If you are collaborative, professional, and have a strong DOC background, we encourage you to apply!

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
• Three professional references

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As the Assistant Audit Director, some of your duties will include: 

• Assessing the effectiveness of facility operations which could include: 
  1. Managing responsibilities and multiple concurrent projects with tight timelines and limited resources
  2. Serving as the lead for conducting internal audit reviews on all prisons, work releases and community corrections offices throughout the state
  3. Traveling throughout the state to various facilities and offices in order to conduct audits and provide objective, professional analysis of selected agency operations and processes within all prisons, work releases, and community corrections offices
  4. Deciding which functional areas and policies to include in Operation Reviews and including any area of operations or policy affecting any Division
• Remaining up to date of changes to laws, policies, standards, and guidelines that apply to Department operations and audit work including:
  1. Maintaining an expert-level knowledge of federal/state laws and DOC policy as they apply to Department operations
  2. Working with policy authors to provide clarification and/or updates to policies
  3. Submitting recommended policy changes to the policy office when appropriate
• Provides guidance and advice on audits, audit standards, and/or state ethics laws
• Conducts other investigations or audits as requested

What we need (required qualifications):

• Associate’s degree with a major in accounting, business administration, public administration, information technology, economics, criminal justice, or another related field**
• Four (4) years of professional corrections experience including expert knowledge of DOC and correctional operations
• Two (2) years of professional audit/review or inspection/investigation experience, preferably in a federal, state or local government environment, which includes: 
  1. Managing complex engagements or projects, including planning and objective setting
  2. Using effective techniques for communicating and asking questions to enhance clarity, information flow, and reliability of information.
     • Identifying, collecting, organizing, and analyzing information in ways that are useful for achieving accurate results, while giving appropriate attention to detail and accuracy
     • Drawing conclusions and recommendations that are professionally sound and add value
     • Employing expertise, credibility, and effective partnering to proactively identify agency needs and to help clients evaluate, and resolve complex or sensitive issues
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated by the ability to prepare polished, objective summaries of observations made and conclusions reached as part of a project, and the ability to communicate those observations and conclusions verbally in a positive, professional manner
• Must model high, uncompromising ethical standards of personal and professional conduct, including acting with integrity and honesty
• Follows the Code of Ethics established by the Institute of Internal Auditors
• Earns the trust, respect, and confidence of those who rely on internal audit services through consistent, tactful, honesty and professionalism in all interactions
• Takes responsibility for actions and performance
• Must be able to demonstrate interpersonal awareness and the ability to be inclusive
• Able to influence others to voluntarily accept and implement recommendations for improvement
• Must have knowledge of the following subject areas: 
  1. RCWs, WACs Merit Syst0dsfem Rules, applicable bargaining agreements and DOC policies
  2. State Ethics Act laws, including opinions and interpretations of the laws as published by the Executive Ethics Board (EEB)

** An equivalent combination of related training and experience may substitute year for year for education

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): 

• Knowledge of risk assessment of internal controls and governance processes
• Knowledge of professional auditing standards such as IIA standards, the auditing discipline, and the COSO internal control framework, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), generally accepted governmental auditing standards (“Yellow Book”), or State of Washington’s Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM). Project management experience
• Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Government Audit Professional, etc.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Vision:  Working together for safer communities.

Mission:  Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment:  To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.   If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
   **Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.  Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.  Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer: 

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.   Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.