The Puget Sound Partnership’s (PSP) mission is to accelerate the collective effort to recovery and sustain Puget Sound. We lead a collaborative effort to create a shared roadmap for recovery to mobilize partners around a regionally developed, science-based, prioritized set of programs and actions so that funders have a credible framework for Puget Sound investment.  We manage shared measurements to ensure effectiveness, progress, and accountability so that priorities are adjusted based on effectiveness learning to ensure the best investment decisions are made.  We support partners to advance the shared roadmap by mobilizing funding, removing barriers, and educating key decision makers so that partners have everything they need to succeed.
 
The Partnership does not have regulatory authority, implement recovery programs or projects, or serve as a granting agency.
 
We are a small, passionate, mission-driven, team-oriented, and fast-paced organization with an exceptional interdisciplinary staff.  We are looking for experienced and exceptional people to join our team and help lead Puget Sound to recovery.
 
Our main office is in a LEED Platinum-certified building on the waterfront in Tacoma, WA within a 10 minute walk of downtown (restaurants, shopping, museums, farmer’s market, etc.). Flexible work schedules are typical, including alternate work schedules and working from home or our remote office in Olympia, WA one or two days per week.  Staff are issued laptop computers and mobile phones and have access to state vehicles for travel.  This position should expect to travel regularly to meetings throughout the region and may need to use their personal vehicle if a state vehicle is not available – personal vehicle mileage and travel expenses are reimbursed in these cases.

In addition to acting as a team supervisor, as capacity allows, the position would assist with coordination across the agency, partners, and state/regional forums, including serving as lead for key initiatives of the team.  The position may also maintain limited geographic responsibilities.  The position and its assigned team are the key connection between the agency and local governments and organizations that work directly to implement the Puget Sound Action Agenda and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan.

The ERC Regional Manager is responsible for coordinating a team of ERCs who are working to support partner agencies, tribes, watershed groups, salmon recovery lead entities, Local Integrating Organizations, and others involved in the Puget Sound recovery effort and advancement of the federally approved Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan. If capacity allows the position may be assigned the ERC role for a limited geography (i.e. one watershed and/or LIO). The ERC Regional Manager will assist the Planning Director in strategic coordination within the agency and across partner organizations and state/regional forums. The objective of the position is to ensure consistent and timely communication support and leadership for ERCs, which in turn will generate stronger networks of support for local, regional, and state organizations involved in the recovery effort. 

Some of what you will enjoy doing include:

• Manages the assigned team of Ecosystem Recovery Coordinators, including establishing expectations and writing evaluations; processing travel, time and leave requests; providing guidance on work plan priorities; and supporting team members as issues arise both directly and in coordination with the Program Director.
• Provides coaching and support to assist ERCs in strengthening cross sector engagement as well as local capabilities and capacity. Identify and propose solutions for systemic obstacles, funding opportunities, and other resource needs the agency could address to accelerate local implementation of recovery efforts.
• Assists Program Director with cross program coordination within the agency to ensure partner issues are addressed upfront in agency work; identify strategic communications opportunities; and brief senior management on issues and key trends generated from salmon recovery Lead Entities and LIOs.
• Coordinates provision of technical assistance, science-informed guidance, and strategic policy implementation to advance Puget Sound and salmon recovery planning, implementation, and adaptive management.
• Serves as topical lead for the division on assigned areas; develop breadth and depth of understanding on topics assigned to team members.
• Serves as an alternate for the Planning Director on select state and regional forums and committees. Provide support for the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council and Watershed Leads Group and participate, as directed, in meetings of the Council of Regions, Washington Salmon Coalition, and other coordinating bodies.

REQUIRED:

• Master’s degree in natural resource management or related field and six (6) years of professional experience or a Bachelor’s degree and nine (9) years of professional experience
• Experience effectively communicating to senior executives, agency staff, stakeholders, and the public – orally and in writing.
• Understanding of contract management principles and procedures
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with a diverse group of agencies, governments, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Meeting facilitation experience.

Personal Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively – Delivers message in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens and checks for understanding. Articulates messages in a way that is broadly understandable. Adjusts communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. Models and encourages the expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Manages Complexity – Readily distinguishes between what’s relevant and what’s potentially unrelated to make sense of complex situations. Looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answers. Analyzes multiple and diverse sources of information to define problems accurately before moving to solutions.
• Builds Effective Teams – Defines success in terms of the whole team. Recognizes that leveraging each team member’s unique background and perspective is critical to achieving team goals. Rallies others behind common team goals. Places team goals ahead of own goals.
• Manages Conflict – Anticipates conflicts before they happen, based on knowledge of interpersonal and group dynamics. Asks questions and listens closely to all issues presented by stakeholders. Finds common ground and drives to consensus, ensuring that all feel heard. Defuses high-tension situations effectively.
• Resourcefulness – Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements. Gets the most out of limited resources. Enjoys multi-tasking; applies knowledge of the organization to advance multiple objectives.
• Strategic Mindset – Sees the big picture and imagines future scenarios. Is a visionary and able to articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods. Formulates a clear strategy and maps the steps that will clearly accelerate the organization towards its strategic goals.
• Plans and Assigns – Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Lays out a thorough schedule and steps for achieving objectives. Makes implementation plans that allocate resources precisely. Looks for obstacles and develops contingency plans. Uses milestones to diligently track and manage the progress of the work.

DESIRED:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Previous experience serving as an Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator including ability to articulate issues from the watershed and local government perspective.
• Working knowledge of Puget Sound ecosystems and salmonid ecology and biology.
• Working knowledge of Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation.

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.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 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.