Duties

Some of what you will enjoy doing:

Policy Development

• Provide expert consultation and advice to executive leadership and conducts expert level research and analysis of complex legislative issues;
• Provide program and policy assistance to the conservation districts and agency;
• Assist in the development of agency request legislation packages;
• Monitor, track, and summarize legislation;
• Analyze proposed legislation as well as directing and assisting others with bill analysis;
• Coordinate, schedule, and prepare materials for stakeholder meetings, legislative meetings, hearings and work sessions;
• Prepare legislative updates as necessary for website and Friday Updates to members, partners and staff;
• Educate staff, district staff and supervisors, interested stakeholders on legislative activities;
• Plan and coordinate legislative outreach activities.

Program Implementation

• Assist the policy director and other Conservation Commission staff in the implementation of existing and new programs;
• Provide expert consultation and advice to executive leadership and conduct complex research and analysis on conservation district and legislative issues;
• Provide program and policy assistance to the conservation districts and agency.

Meeting Representation/Meeting Coordination

• At the direction of the Policy Director, represent the Conservation Commission to various entities including tribes, state, local and federal agencies and elected officials;
• Demonstrate cooperative and professional communication skills.
• In accordance with program needs and/or senior staff requests, facilitate meetings of staff and stakeholders to garner the necessary information within the timeframe required, and distribute the information to the interested parties;
• Attend team meetings, trainings, conferences, and workshops as required;
• Attend and maintain current status on required agency trainings.

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, or related field

AND

Four (4) years experience in conducting research and analyzing policies, laws rules or regulations;

Please Note:  Additional applicable work experience may be substituted, year-for-year, for the educational requirements.

AND

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, and other software;
• Proficiency in time management and managing multiple activities;
• Skilled in verbal and written communication;
• Ability to visit conservation districts across the state, including overnight travel;
• Presentation experience;
• Excellent customer service skills;
• Hold a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Awareness of purposes and activities of the state’s 45 conservation districts.
• Working knowledge of laws, policies and procedures which impact Conservation Districts.
• Analyzing legislative proposals.
• Superior written communication skills with the ability to write and communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences, using the principles of “plain talk’ to reduce bureaucratic language/jargon.
• The position requires a clear understanding of larger state and federal policies which impact the direction of Commission and conservation district programs as well as an ability to translate those larger imperatives into appropriate recommendations for district boards of supervisors;
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration and communication skills, especially in writing and editing complex documents;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to identify critical issues;
• Effectively interacting professionally, sensitively, and effectively with persons of all ages, gender, sexual orientation, cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and work with collaborative groups.

Supplemental Information

Please attach the following documents, failure to do so may result in not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest to show your personality and why your skills and qualities best meet the requirements of the job;
• Current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
• A list of at least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers.

By submitting these 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.

NOTE:  Prior to any new appointment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  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.

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 blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers.

Applicants claiming veteran’s preference points must attach the documentation with each on-line application. If you do not provide appropriate documentation to qualify for these preference points, the points will not be awarded.

For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

We thank you and are grateful for your service

At the SCC, we celebrate our differences and are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or 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.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Lolo Florentino Arevalo at (360) 407-8074 or Lolo.arevalo@des.wa.gov