This position is part of our Integrated Planning Team, which works closely with other agency teams and external partners to implement region-wide agency programs.  The Director of Policy and Planning leads the Team and reports to the agency’s Deputy Director.  Staff in this position are expected to exercise strategic, independent judgment, and represent significant breadth and depth of expertise.
 
Responsibilities Include:

• Work across agency programs and with many external partners (tribal, state, federal, local, NGO, and business) on major planning and policy initiatives, including supporting the development and adaptive management of Implementation Strategies and the Action Agenda.
• Actively represent the agency in external venues to coordinate and influence the work of partners, expand constituencies and elicit input on agency priorities, policies and programs.
• Actively participate in and lead internal and external project teams and advisory groups.
• Develop and inform agency policies on a range of internal and external issues – including regional strategies, resource allocation, tactical programs and agency positions.
• Maintain open and respectful communication with staff.
• Handle budget administration and performance management of assigned project teams, programs and contractors.
• Develop and contribute to work plans for projects and programs.

Key Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding or the unique needs of different audiences.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Project Management: Ability to articulate project objectives orally and/or via written charter, to ensure that objectives are met and deliverables meet scope, schedule, and budget requirements. Proficiency in defining, prioritizing, tracking, implementing, measuring, communicating, and completing a large number of complex and often interdependent tasks.
• Problem Solving: Ability to discern root causes of issues in complex and “noisy” situations, apply critical analysis to identify, articulate and assess potential solutions, and make timely, well-considered recommendations.
• Strategic Thinking and Planning: Ability to clearly identify long-term needs and determine the necessary sequence of activities and the level of resources required to achieve long and short term goals.

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, natural resources, public policy, planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of related professional experience.
• Two (2) years of interdisciplinary program/complex project management experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in strategic planning and implementation, particularly in the natural resource or environmental sector.
• Excellent communication skills – oral, written and public speaking; excellent interpersonal skills with a variety of audiences.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills.
• A work history demonstrating progressive levels of responsibility.
• Knowledge of the issues in which the Puget Sound Partnership is involved.

Preferred/Desired:

• Master’s degree or PhD in environmental management, natural resources, public policy, planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of related professional experience, including some relevant professional experience working at a various levels of government.  Experience with treaty tribes is especially helpful.
• Experience participating in the development or implementation of an Action Agenda, salmon recovery plan, local Ecosystem Recovery Plan, or Implementation Strategy.
• Awareness of, and ideally experience using, the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation framework.
• Experience in a complex, public sector work environment, including science-policy decision making.
• Program administration including budget, grant/contract management, performance management, and accountability.
• Strategic planning and implementation experience.
• Natural resource and environmental planning and implementation experience.
• Policy development, analysis and implementation experience.
• Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with a wide range of public and private partners to meet shared objectives.
• Ability to work in a political environment with sensitivity to controversial issues; demonstrated commitment to public transparency and accountability.
• Experience in facilitating meetings and workshops for a wide range of partners and stakeholders on sensitive and complex issues.

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing why you want to work at the Partnership and how your skills and experience have prepared you for this specific position.  Generic letters of interest are not acceptable.
• A current resume, detailing experience and education.
• A list of at least three (3) relevant professional references with current telephone numbers.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY:

• By submitting 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.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please black out any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers.
 
For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Ashley Harris at (360) 407-8074 or jobs@des.wa.gov.
 
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or that need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.