Description

DutiesSome of what you will enjoy doing includes:

• Provide coordination, facilitation, and communication support to the monitoring network (PSEMP), including:
  • Convene and facilitate meetings for various PSEMP work groups and subcommittees, and help connect and communicate the objectives and activities of work groups and subcommittees back to the broader PSEMP program. Identify and implement process improvements and technical tools to support communication forums within and among work groups and subcommittees.
  • Assist the Monitoring Lead to plan and prepare for bimonthly PSEMP Steering Committee meetings. Arrange for meeting logistics and development and distribution of meeting summaries.
  • Support work group development of communication plans and materials by leading them through the process, helping draft initial materials, and/or providing review and revision of materials.
  • Facilitate the collaborative planning and coordination of a PSEMP biennial symposium on odd-numbered years and facilitate the collaborative development of products and strategies for a strong PSEMP presence at Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference on even-numbered years.
• Identify, develop, and implement solutions that improve the usability and relevance of PSEMP data and products for recovery-related decision-making, both within the Partnership and among recovery partners. Examples include:
  • Build an understanding of the decisions and decision-makers that could be informed by PSEMP products and identify critical information needs.
  • Develop communication content (e.g. content for website, program and project factsheets, presentations) derived from one or multiple work groups, to meet information needs of priority audience(s).
  • Maintain, update, and improve PSEMP information management systems and web content. Identify new and improved tools or approaches to communicate and share data, working with Partnership information management staff to develop and improve data and information management systems.
• Support the process of soliciting for, evaluating and managing PSEMP projects funded by the Partnership, including:
  • Support adaptive management of solicitation and evaluation process, led by Monitoring Lead and Steering Committee.
  • Coordinate and communicate with PSEMP members about the solicitation process, and manage proposal and evaluation documents.
  • Support contract development and management for a select set of projects.

Other duties include:

• Support the Monitoring Lead in their role of coordination, planning, development and implementation of an integrated, coordinated, collaborative ecosystem monitoring and assessment program for Puget Sound that addresses the monitoring needs of the Partnership and others.
• As needed, serve as a liaison (e.g., from the Partnership and from PSEMP) to the Partnership’s Science Panel, Salmon Recovery Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, Leadership Council, and other groups (e.g., Strategic Initiative Leads, Local Integrating Organizations, Implementation Strategy Teams) on monitoring and assessment issues.
• As needed, represent the Partnership and PSEMP in state, regional, national, and transboundary forums, including those related to the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office and Salmon Recovery Funding Board, PNAMP, the National Estuary Program, regional and national observing systems initiatives, and Salish Sea transboundary coordination.

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 Education, Experience, and Skills:

• 3 years of professional experience in ecosystem, environmental, or conservation science.
• Experience managing interdisciplinary program(s) or complex project(s).
• Experience engaging, coordinating, and facilitating interactions and decision-making processes among groups of people with diverse perspectives, cultures, and expertise.
• Experience in effective multi-mode communications of scientific or technical information to a broad range of audiences, including technical experts, policy decision-makers, and the public.
• Experience in data and information management practices to support coordination, collaboration, and communication among data producers and data users.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with a diverse group of agencies, stakeholders, scientists, planners, practitioners and policy makers.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to efficiently navigate complex systems of people, information, and technical tools, and explore and propose novel solutions, including technological ones.
• Skilled in facilitation of multi-party processes and meetings that cover a range of technical and policy-related topics.
• Substantive knowledge of current developments and directions in ecosystem monitoring and assessment, especially as they apply to large-scale ecosystem recovery and natural resource management.

Required Competencies:

• Builds Networks and Collaborates: Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the agency and program. Works cooperatively with others across the agency and with external partners to achieve shared objectives. Able to represent own interest while also understanding and being fair to others, and resolving conflict effectively where it arises. Partners with team members and others across the agency and with external partners to get work done, while navigating a complex and ambiguous environment.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding or the unique needs of different audiences. Attentively listens to others and encourages open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Resourcefulness: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently. 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.
• Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honest, integrity, and authenticity. Follows through on commitments. Is seen as direct and truthful. Keeps confidences. Practices what he/she preaches. Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Uses a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively understand and solve problems. Acquires data from multiple and diverse sources when analyzing and solving problems.  Uncovers root causes to difficult problems. Evaluates pros and cons, risks and benefits of different solution options.
• Tech Savvy: Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. Anticipates the impact of emerging technologies and makes adjustments. Scans the environment for new technical skills, knowledge, or capabilities that can benefit business or personal performance. Rejects low-impact or fad technologies. Readily learns and adopts new technologies.
• Equity and Inclusion: Commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Skills

• A Master’s degree, equivalent degree, or Ph.D. in a field involving environmental or ecosystem science.
• 5 years of experience leading or coordinating a multi-agency, collaborative monitoring program or project including data collection, data management, and reporting.
• Substantive knowledge of the issues in which the Puget Sound Partnership is involved.
• Substantive knowledge of the Salish Sea ecosystem, the stressors and pressures that influence it, and the programs and information sources that inform its recovery.
• Proficient in promoting and applying best practices for adaptive management.
• Skilled in data management, analysis, and synthesis, including spatial data and tools.
• Skilled in science communication (e.g. science journalism, data visualization, design).
• Design of scientific investigations, including development of data quality objectives and other elements of quality assurance project planning.
• Program Administration: Ability to develop and oversee a portfolio of projects, including developing and managing budgets, grants and contracts.
• Understands government operations in natural resource related areas and the organizational and political climate for decision making.
• Familiarity with human dimensions of natural resources or natural resource management.
• Understands the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation; understands the Partnership’s adaptive management taxonomies and tools; can apply these tools.

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.
• Occasionally travel throughout the state and nationwide 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.

A great place to work!

Our main office is in a LEED Platinum-certified building on the waterfront in Tacoma within a 10 minute walk of downtown (restaurants, shopping, museums, farmer’s market, etc.). We promote flexibility in work schedules and offer a range of options, including, alternate work schedules, telecommuting from home or in Seattle several 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

Supplemental Information

Application Process – Please read the instructions completely.

We are a small, passionate, mission-driven agency with an exceptional interdisciplinary staff. If you value the role of science in society and enjoy building community and protecting our environment, we encourage you to apply!

Interested? 
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.

Candidates invited for interviews will be given a writing assignment.

NOTE:  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.