Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst I (#MAIC01)
$45,798.00 Yearly Min / $57,248.00 Yearly Mid / $68,698.00 Yearly Max

Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst II (#MAIC02)
$55,182.00 Yearly Min / $68,978.00 Yearly Mid / $82,774.00 Yearly Max

Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst III (#MAIC03)
$58,719.00 Yearly Min / $73,399.00 Yearly Mid / $88,079.00 Yearly Max

Lean Continuous Improvement Manager (#MAIC04)
$66,489.00 Yearly Min / $83,111.00 Yearly Mid / $99,733.00 Yearly Max

Lean Continuous Improvement Administrator (#MAIC05)
$75,286.00 Yearly Min / $94,107.00 Yearly Mid / $112,928.00 Yearly Max

Lean Continuous Improvement employees provide data driven analysis, planning and customer-focused solutions for operational improvements and increased transparency to state agencies and related stakeholders that align with the organization’s strategy, mission, goals, and objectives at the agency or state level.  

Work includes participating in business analysis, project and change management efforts and therefore, employees apply comprehensive knowledge of continuous improvement, business analysis, project and change management lifecycle methodologies.  The range of studies or projects the employee is involved in may vary widely in terms of functional areas, relying heavily on the guidance of the appropriate stakeholders and subject matter experts. Work often involves reviewing, evaluating, and identifying opportunities for improvement, and determining specific courses of action to be taken, through collaboration with customers, business process owners, management, and end users, and in compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.  In addition, employees in the Lean Continuous Improvement class series may oversee or supervise the work of employees in other class series. 

Work is distinguished from other classes with continuous improvement components by the scope and impact of work performed as well as methodologies applied.  Employees perform continuous improvement work on behalf of an entire agency or enterprise impacting multiple divisions and/or agencies statewide.  Therefore, employees in the Lean Continuous Improvement class series are typically assigned to the agency or state level, but may also be assigned to a large, complex division.   Employees require an in-depth knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and related methods, models, and tools such as:

• Lean management, total quality management, and other recognized methods
• Value stream mapping, customer journey mapping, and other business process management tools that eliminate non-value-added activities
• A3, plan-do-check-act (PDCA) and define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) lean management models
• Root cause analysis, the development of standard work, and visual performance systems
• Change management and other stakeholder analysis tools and approaches
• Business analysis tools and approaches
• Capability development research for internal stakeholders and requirements validation for customers

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations for improvements to state processes, products, and services by identifying opportunities, planning improvements, defining the change, and measuring results. 
• Selects, interprets, and utilizes continuous improvement methods, models, and tools such as plan-do-check-act (PDCA), A3, and define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) models.
• Measures lead and lag performance and conducts statistical analyses such as root cause analysis to identify the cause of issues, or gap and impact analysis to define current and future state objectives and processes.
• Partners and collaborates with customers, business process owners, management, and end users to develop business process models, customer journey maps, and workflows, considering problems such as areas of waste and improvement opportunities to create a clear vision of future state outcomes.
• Aligns business requirements, scope, and objectives with the overall business strategy and identifies, tracks, and resolves issues, problems, and challenges. 
• Integrates service delivery with business analysts, change and project management resources, providing updates, information, and coordinating continuous improvement activities as needed with project and program team members.
• Conducts voice of the customer requirements gathering, user experience design reviews and customer experience satisfaction reviews to build/validate processes that are better informed by end user needs.
• Maintains effective lines of communication and delivers high quality, customized communications timely and accurately.
• Assists technical and non-technical teams with the interpretation of user requirements and communicates breakthrough opportunities to stakeholders.
• Utilizes modern tools and software platforms such as Microsoft Visio and ARIS for business process mapping and adheres to a consistent method for documenting value streams.
• Prepares visual, statistical, and narrative reports that clearly and accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
• Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The level of work for a Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst progresses based on an employee’s independence, size and scope of responsibilities, complexity of duties, decisions made, and required experience.

Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst I  

This is experienced level continuous improvement analysis providing data driven reviews, planning and customer-focused solutions for operational improvements and increased transparency to state agencies and related stakeholders that align with the organization’s strategy, mission, goals, and objectives.  Employees independently perform the full range of essential functions under general supervision. Work includes assisting with developing A3 documents, PDCA plans, and DMAIC processes.   

• Receives general supervision from a technical or administrative supervisor; the supervisor provides general direction on all assignments, and regular review of progress, accuracy, and quality of work.  Supervisory advice or assistance is provided as needed. 
• Provides guidance, consultation, and recommendations on continuous improvement issues, opportunities, and solutions including intermediate-scale continuous improvement analyses and other evaluative studies or projects, and participates in complex initiatives.
• Independently conducts research and analyses including root cause analysis, determines impacts, and presents relevant information to ensure supervisors or managers are informed on status, challenges, and concerns. 
• Participates in budget, grant and/or contract development and management.
• May lead paraprofessional, professional, or administrative support staff by assigning, monitoring, and reviewing work and providing on-the-job training, guidance, and direction.
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical teams, subject matter experts, key stakeholders, contractors, or others to gather and evaluate information, and to provide recommendations, guidance, and direction.

This is advanced level continuous improvement analysis providing data driven reviews, planning and customer-focused solutions for operational improvements and increased transparency to state agencies and related stakeholders that align with the organization’s strategy, mission, goals, and objectives.  In addition to work performed by the Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst I level, employees independently perform more complex work with minimal supervision and are well-versed in the assigned agency’s business needs, operations, goals, and objectives.  Employees develop A3 documents, PDCA plans, and DMAIC processes.   

• Receives minimal supervision from a technical or administrative supervisor; the supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines and assists the employee with unusual situations.
• Provides guidance, consultation, and recommendations on a variety of continuous improvement issues, opportunities, and solutions including continuous improvement analyses and other evaluative studies or projects that have a broad impact, span multiple branches of government, and may involve opposing viewpoints, multiple laws, rules, and regulations and a range of possible solutions that contribute to complexity. 
• Designs, prioritizes, and defines the scope of continuous improvement analyses and other evaluative studies or projects including selecting appropriate methods, models, and tools.
• Conducts research, analyses including root cause analysis, and utilizes a variety of resources to resolve complex or sensitive issues, challenges, and areas requiring improvement; determines impacts, and presents results to internal and external management, or stakeholders.
• Leads meetings and conference calls to elicit problem statements and collect data.
• Leads paraprofessional, professional, or administrative support staff and provides on-the-job training, guidance, and direction; may lead a project team.
• Engages in vendor and contract management by effectively coordinating resources within projects ensuring that deliverables, milestones, and business requirements associated with statements of work are being met.
• May supervise casual/seasonal and/or contractual staff; may also supervise two or more merit full-time positions* (*lower-level positions, not in this Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst class series). The elements of supervision include performing the following on a regular and continuing basis:  planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion. 
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical teams, subject matter experts, key stakeholders, contractors, or others to identify and resolve issues, challenges, and areas requiring improvement; prepares and executes a communications plan. 

This is expert level continuous improvement analysis providing data driven reviews, planning and customer-focused solutions for operational improvements and increased transparency to state agencies and related stakeholders that align with the organization’s strategy, mission, goals, and objectives.  In addition to the work performed by the Lean Continuous Improvement Analyst II level, employees independently perform complex work with minimal supervision for a variety of large-scale process, product, and service improvement opportunities, and provides skilled operational support and leadership to provide data driven solutions.  Examples of factors contributing to complexity include working with more complex business problems, aligning customer needs with operational objectives, having ongoing operational responsibilities to address issues related to continuous improvement initiatives as they arise, and defining a wide range of service enhancements to cover the features and functionalities needed across the enterprise to solve specific, critical, business challenges at a departmental or enterprise scale.

• Receives minimal supervision from a technical or administrative supervisor; the supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines and assists the employee with unusual situations.
• Serves as the lean management expert to administration, peers, and others, providing technical guidance, consultation, and recommendations on large-scale continuous improvement issues, opportunities, and solutions that may have not been encountered before, requiring complex interpretation of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, and considering past decisions and precedents.
• Directly influences management decisions and direction by aligning continuous improvement process goals with an agency’s goals or strategic plan.
• Leads and ensures the completion of multiple and complex continuous improvement analyses and other evaluative studies or projects simultaneously which includes establishing criteria to prioritize studies across stakeholders, determining resources, and developing timelines and schedules for work efforts.
• Creates and interprets visual, statistical, and narrative reports demonstrating the performance of core processes and identification of customer needs, areas of waste, process variance, errors, and norms.
• Interprets process measures, objectives, issues and metrics to identify systemic opportunities for alignment throughout state government and makes recommendations to management based on findings.
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical teams, subject matter experts, key stakeholders, contractors, or others to explain complex recommendations, influence management decisions, prioritize enhancements and improvements, and identify and resolve the most complex issues, challenges, and areas requiring improvements.

This level manages continuous improvement analysis, planning and customer-focused solutions for operational improvements and increased transparency to state agencies and related stakeholders that align with the organization’s strategy, mission, goals, and objectives.  Work is distinguished from previous levels by managing and making decisions on behalf of an agency or at the state level as a lean management expert with significant input at the strategic policy level.  Employees are also responsible for bridging knowledge gaps between business and technical requirements for overall alignment and ensuring that continuous improvement initiatives deliver measurable results, enhance value to customers, and possess sufficient countermeasures to maintain success.

• Receives general direction and guidance from an administrative supervisor or higher in terms of broad goals and objectives; employee establishes the methods for achieving goals and objectives and manages daily operations.
• Manages continuous improvement analyses and other evaluative studies or projects on behalf of an agency or at the state level which includes developing, implementing, supervising, evaluating, and overseeing daily continuous improvement analysis and work and ensuring goals and objectives are met.  
• Has authority to make decisions in assigned continuous improvement areas that impact operations; work is performed independently with only the most complex matters requiring review and approval by administration.
• Participates in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, operations, policies, procedures, and systems to meet business needs and requirements. 
• Analyzes new or revised state and federal laws, rules, and regulations and determines impacts on improvement processes and requirements.
• Effectively leads meetings, and develops and presents details to leadership and stakeholders, on continuous improvement methods, project status or progress towards goals, and interpretation of risk and process analyses.  
• Participates in Request for Information (RFI)/Requests for Proposals (RFP) meetings and other work groups and provides ongoing vendor management, ensuring that customer needs are being met by contractors directly associated with continuous improvement initiatives. 
• May supervise two or more merit full time positions. The elements of supervision include performing the following on a regular and continuing basis:  planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion. 
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical teams, subject matter experts, key stakeholders, contractors, or others to make decisions on complex challenges, provide policy direction, and ensure all continuous improvement needs and objectives are met.

This is the executive level responsible for administering continuous improvement operations at the agency or state level.  Work is distinguished from previous levels by making decisions on behalf of leadership as the lean management expert, serving as a member of an agency or state leadership team, and administering operations through lead and/or management staff that directly report to this class.  Employees provide skilled operational support and leadership to solve the most complex operational improvement problems and develop an overall governance and lifecycle strategy for managing continuous improvement initiatives.

• Receives general direction and guidance from an administrative supervisor or appointed official in terms of broad goals and objectives; employee establishes the methods for achieving goals and objectives and administers operations. 
• Administers continuous improvement operations at the agency or state level which includes developing, implementing, reviewing, and evaluating strategic initiatives, operations, policies, procedures, and systems to ensure quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. 
• Supervises two or more merit full time positions, at least one of which must be a lead and/or management level position.  The elements of supervision include performing the following on a regular and continuing basis:  planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion.
• Provides expertise, recommendations, and strategic direction to leadership and other high-level officials on the most complex challenges, advises on major policy issues, and is responsible for communications. 
• Administers the complete lifecycle of major studies, process optimization initiatives, and projects typically lasting more than a year, involving multi-agency, statewide and/or vendor initiatives; meets legally binding deadlines; and manages project resources including the development and management of RFIs and RFPs.
• Reviews new or revised state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and proposed legislation; determines impacts and implements changes.  
• Administers budgets, grants, and/or contracts.
• Communicates effectively with officials/top management, other state agencies, legislators, and others outside state government, to present recommendations on complex and controversial challenges, advise on major policy issues, develop strategic plans, and ensure all goals and objectives are met. 

The listed knowledge, skills, and abilities give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSAs listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the needs of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, including lean management tools, practices, and philosophy.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of business analysis, project and change management.
• Knowledge of standard work and waste elimination tools and techniques to identify operational opportunities for improvement.
• Knowledge of organizational structure, operations, and associated business processes of assigned agency/enterprise including applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in conducting root cause and other analyses, statistical modeling, impact analysis, and measuring performance.  
• Skill in business process mapping, including value stream mapping, customer journey mapping, and facilitating process improvement events.
• Skill in effective communication both orally and in writing.
• Skill in using computer software and automated information systems to research, review, evaluate, and report on data.
• Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving methods and techniques, and use sound judgment to reach logical conclusions.
• Ability to set goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to resolve challenges independently and escalate as appropriate.
• Ability to prepare visual, statistical and narrative reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in lean management and continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
• Skill in applying advanced continuous improvement methods, tools, and techniques including lean six sigma. 
• Skill in leading continuous improvement analyses, studies, and/or projects with agency and/or statewide impact.
• Skill in gathering and validating data through various elicitation techniques that focus on customer needs.
• Skill in identifying and analyzing needs, requirements, issues, and challenges and recommending solutions based on best business practices and research.
• Ability to prepare and adhere to communication plans and strategies.
• Ability to provide on-the job training, guidance, and direction to staff.
• Ability to effectively lead a team and foster collaboration.  
• Ability to troubleshoot issues during and post-implementation.
• Ability to deliver information effectively in a variety of formats and settings.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget, grant or contract management and control.
• Skill in providing expert guidance, consultation, and recommendations requiring the use of analytics and tools to forecast future outcomes and guide decision-making.
• Skill in facilitating meetings or conference calls to elicit information and discuss findings or alternatives.
• Skill in designing, prioritizing and leading complex and large-scale continuous improvement analyses, studies and projects that meet the State's mission, goals, and objectives.
• Skill in using DMAIC methods, models and tools.
• Skill in analyzing and evaluating operations and performance to make recommendations on improvements.
• Skill in conducting lean six sigma statistical analysis.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and informative reports related to process performance, outcomes, and other measures of quality.
• Ability to apply a multi-faceted approach to develop business requirements including focus groups, workshops, and prototyping.
• Ability to make critical decisions based on stakeholder input, available solutions, prospective outcomes, and impact. 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management.
• Knowledge of developing short- and long-range strategic plans.
• Skill in managing continuous improvement analyses, special studies and projects, and related resources that meet the State's mission, goals, and objectives.
• Skill in the preparation and presentation of complex technical subject matter.
• Skill in vendor and contract management.
• Skill in supervising project teams and/or staff.
• Skill in establishing and integrating the goals and objectives of multiple functions.
• Ability to resolve conflict and reach consensus.
• Ability to recognize and integrate diverse or conflicting priorities.

• Knowledge of best practices in operational excellence.
• Knowledge of operations management which includes planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating operations through supervisors.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget, grant and/or contract administration.
• Skill in developing short- and long-range strategic plans.
• Skill in developing and conducting the complete lifecycle of major studies or projects.
• Skill in establishing performance measures and monitoring performance.
• Ability to communicate effectively with state, local and federal agencies, and various elected/appointed officials.
• Ability to apply DMAIC tools and methods and develop innovative approaches to achieve process stability/efficiency across multiple business domains.
• Ability to eliminate the most complex process bottlenecks, areas of inefficiency, and non-value-added activities.
• Ability to develop consensus and mediate diverse and opposing priorities.

Applicants must have education, training, and/or experience in the following areas:

1. Completion of a state-approved continuous improvement training program OR completion of a professional continuous improvement certification such as Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
2. Three years’ experience in performing continuous improvement work such as reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations for improvements to processes, products, and services by identifying opportunities, planning improvements, defining the change, and measuring results. 
3. Three years’ experience in conducting studies which includes evaluating operations, programs, services, policies and procedures to determine efficiency, effectiveness, whether goals and objectives are met and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
4. Two years’ experience in conducting data analysis, statistical modeling, impact, or root cause analysis, and recommending improvements based on findings.
5. One year of experience in designing, prioritizing, and defining the scope of continuous improvement analyses, studies, or projects including selecting appropriate continuous improvement methods, models and tools.