Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2762866/senior-policy-advisor-for-orca-recovery-wms2

Salary: $91,000.00 – $99,000.00 Annually
Job Number: 2020-03407
Closing: 5/3/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Description

We are looking for a leader who is a team player, defined as someone with a driving passion for the work, who also approaches their job and people interactions with humility and an understanding of how their actions affect others and the outcomes. Our ideal candidate can see the big picture, values the need to consider ideas and objectives from multiple perspectives, and can adapt and account accordingly while maintaining a course toward the charted outcomes.

~This posting has been extended beyond the original closing date~

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency located in Olympia, Washington that plans for and provides funding to: create and maintain opportunities for recreation; protect the best of the state’s wild lands, farms, and forests; and recover salmon.

RCO strives to maintain a workplace that is respectful, inclusive and family-friendly where all team members feel safe to bring their true selves to work.  We believe in a culture where everyone continually improves and has the opportunity to lead.

At RCO we envision:
A state that has abundant outdoor recreation spaces, healthy habitats, and working farms and forests that support people, fish, and wildlife.

What you will be doing:
You will be a Senior Policy Advisor responsible for coordinating orca recovery for Washington State. You will report to the executive coordinator of the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office (GSRO) located within the RCO. You will work independently and regularly with leaders who represent diverse interests from across the state, and you may be required to oversee, train, coordinate with, or provide direction to others who are in senior policy or executive-level management positions, or who have advanced science, legal, or professional degrees. You will prepare briefings, progress reports, and presentations for local, state, and federal elected officials and staff on orca recovery budget and policy priorities. You will communicate with multiple audiences in a variety of settings to keep the public apprised of efforts and barriers to recovering Southern Resident Killer Whales. You will regularly engage with tribes in a variety of forums to understand their role and perspectives on orca and salmon recovery.

In 2018 and 2019, the Governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force issued two reports containing 49 recommendations. You will be responsible for coordinating and tracking the implementation of those recommendations, and establishing a statewide policy coordination framework to ensure the long term recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales. You will provide vision, direction, and support for assuring that the next steps on orca recovery are established with a process for implementation. You will be responsible for assuring that activities, actions, and strategies to recover orca are coordinated among the Governor’s Office, tribes, state and federal agencies, city and county governments, non-governmental organizations, private businesses, and salmon recovery partners.  To be successful, you will be working regularly with senior policy staff from all these governments and organizations on efforts to recover Southern Resident Killer Whales.

We are looking for:
You need to be someone that can leverage collaborative solutions with diverse stakeholders involved with complex natural resource issues.  If you possess strong skills in leadership, partnership building, project management, policy development, negotiation, communication, creative problem solving, and a passion for recovering Killer Whales, you will be a great fit.

Duties
The work you will enjoy doing includes:

  • The flexibility of a mobile work location

Policy and Strategic Communication

  • Acts as a leader, spokesperson, and advocate for orca recovery in Washington State.
  • Provides support to the Governor’s Office on orca related policy issues, including analyses and assessments of complex policy issues.
  • Provides analyses of legislative and Congressional bills and, when necessary, testifies on issues of importance    to orca recovery.
  • Leads high-level policy initiatives related to orca recovery.
  • Advises on strategic communication associated with orca recovery policy priorities.
  • Participates in policy venues and provides support to Governor’s Office staff on orca recovery issues of statewide significance.

Program Development

  • Develops a statewide policy coordination framework for orca recovery. The framework may include: (1) policy or decision making body, (2) stakeholder interest group(s), (3) technical work groups (prey, contaminants, vessels, etc.), (4) progress performance and accountability mechanisms, and (5) science and learning programs.
  • Coordinates program development with Governor’s Office, tribes, state agencies, regional salmon recovery organizations, and stakeholders to get buy in and support for the program.

Partnerships and Alliances

  • This position is responsible for building and strengthening support and alliances for orca recovery statewide within state, local, federal and tribal governments.
  • Coordinates with neighboring states and provinces to build and strengthen alliances and support for orca recovery (e.g., Transboundary partnership with Canada)
  • Works with business and non-profit organizations to understand issues, constraints, and priorities around orca recovery.
  • Provides information and support to staff and elected officials, at the state and Congressional level, on orca recovery issues, and coordinates state tours and annual visits for orca recovery partners to Washington D.C.

Budgets and Accountability

  • Oversees budgets associated with operations and activities for orca recovery.
  • Negotiates and directs contracts and contracted services for strategic priorities for orca recovery.
  • Works with tribes, agencies, and stakeholders to design metrics for tracking progress for orca recovery, including business or work plans, progress reports, and status summiers.

QualificationsWhat you need to qualify:

  • A Bachelor’s or master’s degree in natural resource management, science, law, or similar degree;
  • 3 years of experience managing or working in a natural resource management or related program;
  • 3 years of experience with the development of public policy or legislative/congressional experience;
  • Experience with salmon recovery and/or the recovery of other species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

What we desire:

  • The ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with high level staff within agencies, tribes, local government, or elected officials;
  • The ability to maintain a clear understanding of the position priorities;
  • Experience advising agency executives and elected officials on complex policy, legal, and science issues;
  • Experience and/or an understanding of the legal history and role of Pacific Northwest Tribes;
  • The demonstrated ability to lead task groups and diverse organizations;
  • The ability to negotiate and secure cooperative agreements from diverse parties ranging from technical specialists, scientists, special interest parties, and elected officials;
  • The demonstrated ability to understand and manage in an environment with complex policy, legal, and scientific issues;
  • The demonstrated ability to effectively present complex policy, legal and scientific information, verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences including elected officials, boards, state agencies and stakeholders;
  • Cognitive skills to provide clear analysis of complex information (including statistical and scientific materials); and
  • Vision, strong work ethic, and understanding that financial integrity and positive relationships are fundamental to the success of orca recovery.

Skills to:

  • Synthesize large amounts of complex information to quickly assess policy issues and then analyze and develop options and recommendations.
  • Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, to a wide variety of audiences including delivering public presentations.
  • Effectively participate in negotiations, mediations, or facilitations aimed at resolving complex issues in formal or informal settings and securing cooperative agreements from diverse parties.
  • Effectively use of various public involvement methods and processes.

Things to consider before applying:

  • You must be willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and may travel for short periods that may include overnight stays.
  • You must have and maintain a valid driver’s license free from serious traffic violations.
  • RCO may hire only those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Supplemental InformationPlease attach the following documents in order to be considered, failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

  • A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
  • Current resume, detailing experience, and education.

You will want to ensure you have a current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information attached or available to provide at the time of interview.

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.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Veterans Preference Notice:
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!

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.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please email HR@rco.wa.gov or call (360) 902-3000.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Laurie Pate at (360) 407-8430 or jobs@des.wa.gov.