Description

The Special Assistant to the Boards is a member of our Boards Team and works closely with all members of the agency’s four boards,  as well as any subcommittees or workgroups identified by them. You will get to work with a variety of members that have specific interests around Puget Sound recovery, such as tribal members, federal agencies, state agencies, business and agricultural entities and watersheds. This position reports to the Boards Program Manager and will work closely with the Boards Policy Specialist, Special Projects Assistant and Deputy Director.

About the Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency leading the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. We bring together hundreds of partners to mobilize partner action around a common agenda, advance Sound investments, and advance priority actions by supporting partners.

Our main office is in a LEED Platinum-certified building on the waterfront in Tacoma within a 15 minute walk of downtown (restaurants, shopping, museums, farmers market, etc.). We promote flexibility in work schedules and offer a range of options, including, alternate work schedules, telecommuting 1-2 days per week with supervisor approval. Staff are also 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.

We are proud to offer a suite of “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• A Commute Trip Reduction program
• Focus on healthy work/life balance
• Fully vested in modern workplace practices and design
• An Infant at Work Program

Duties
Some of what you will enjoy doing include:

• Working with board chairs, executive committees, and management team members for meeting planning and preparation;
• Arranging for meeting dates, locations and the development and distribution of meeting notes and summaries;
• Developing meeting agendas that meet agency and board policy and strategic planning needs;
• Applying adaptive management best practices and common language with a global mindset to all board products, processes and communications through collaboration with Partnership staff and external partners;
• Serving as the central point of contact managing internal and external communications for all agency boards;
• Tracking board member terms and membership rosters;
• Working with Governor’s boards and commissions office, executive director, deputy director, and board chairs in filling vacancies;
• Tracking action items to use in meeting planning throughout the year and to meet reporting deadlines;
• Identifying and tracking cross-board issues and coordination needs;
• Ensuring Open Public Meeting Act rules are followed, including ensuring equitable access to locations, materials and meeting discussions for those who might require additional accommodations;
• Overseeing/directing work of support staff in relation to the boards’ work;
• Supporting effective communications throughout the organization;
• Maintaining the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct;
• Preparing and updating board bylaws/charters as needed;
• Completing the Biennial “Boards and Commissions Report” and other board-related reports required by the Governor or Legislature by due dates;
• Managing and organizing logistics for large meetings, conferences, workshops, and special events the boards or agency may request; and
• In partnership with the Deputy Director and Boards Program Manager, you may also:
  • Prepare and deliver presentations to the boards and councils as necessary;
  • Provide follow-up on action items;
  • Facilitate board, subcommittee, or workgroup discussions as needed;
  • Assist work groups and subcommittees of the boards as needed;
  • Communicate with and provide meaningful involvement for stakeholders including but not limited to federal, state and local government agencies; tribal governments; land management sectors; universities; scientific organizations, land trusts; conservation organizations; and the general public; and
  • Assist with the preparation of reports and memos.

Qualifications
The successful candidate should be a team player, defined as possessing initiative and a driving passion for the work, bringing humility to their job and interactions with others, and having excellent people skills.

Required Experience, Competencies, and Technical Skills:
Education, Experience, and Competencies.

• Minimum of two years of board and/or commission management experience.
• High level of organizational and meeting management skills and knowledge,
• High degree of independent decision-making skills and ability with anti-bias judgment,
• Strong writing and editing skills,
• Ability to multi-task and multi-track several issues at the same time,
• Ability to move issues forward, as appropriate, to meet timelines,
• Strong computer skills, ability, and knowledge,
• Dependability, flexibility, and accuracy,
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to model cultural competency by employing knowledge of the morals and beliefs of other cultures.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.

• An Associate’s degree or above in natural resources, project management, business administration, public administration or closely allied field.
• Three years or more experience with a public sector board and/or commission, and project management experience.
• Experience and commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Conditions of the working environment
With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:

• Work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a work day, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions.
• Work in a tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free environment.
• Work a 40-hour work week. A flexible work schedule may be considered upon request and supervisory approval, after an initial review period.
• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evenings and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines.
• Travel throughout the state, which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position.
• Interact and work with partners and staff in a positive, friendly, and supportive manner that meets the needs and standards of the office and the agency.
• Move or transfer 30-40 pounds of board meeting equipment and supplies, including into and out of a vehicle.

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

• A letter of interest (WORD version), describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
• A current resume (WORD version), detailing experience, and education; and
• A list of at least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers. Please include at least one supervisor, peer and (if you have supervised staff) a subordinate.
• Answer the supplemental questions attached to the application.

This agency is committed to anti-bias hiring and practices ‘blind’ resume reviews. Letters of interest and resumes must be submitted in WORD documents in order for staff to redact details that may disclose your identity, gender, age, etc. Do not attach transcripts or other documents that are not requested in the application process or that are password protected.

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.