~ This position is assigned to our Tacoma location; however, all positions are currently teleworking daily for the unforeseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  ~ 

The Adaptive Systems and Accountability Program (ASAP) Manager is responsible for providing leadership and building, managing, updating and providing training related to adaptive management processes and information management systems that support the long-term recovery of the Puget Sound ecosystem. As leader of our Adaptive Systems and Accountability Program, this position works closely with the Science and Evaluation Program, Integrated Planning Program and Boards Program to develop, advocate, and implement science-based approaches to strategic adaptive management and accountability.Duties
A little bit 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, farmer’s 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.

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

For more information, visit our website: www.psp.wa.gov.

About the Adaptive Systems and Accountability Program
The Puget Sound Partnership’s Adaptive Systems and Accountability Program is a five-person team that has three primary areas of work: (1) Develop, manage and provide user support for information systems used to manage, collaborate, share and apply information related to Puget Sound recovery activities, progress, and investments and (2) lead and support strategic learning through application and continuous improvement of adaptive management, performance management and accountability-related efforts and (3) ensure these initiatives are disseminated and adopted throughout the Puget Sound recovery community.

Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone with strengths in strategic guidance and vision, leadership, and providing technical expertise related to adaptive management and performance management of coordinated Puget Sound recovery efforts in the region. Our ideal candidate knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, can envision future possibilities and translate them into strategies, achieves results under tough circumstances and creates new ways for the agency to be successful. In addition, the ideal candidate will build positive relationships with others, both inside and outside the agency, gaining trust and support. The ability to value others and diversity of thought, promoting brave spaces for learning and striving for equity is essential.

Some of what you will enjoy doing include:

• Lead development and improvement of systems and processes to ensure we hold ourselves accountable for evidence-based planning and decision making;
• Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the agency, Puget Sound Management Conference (Download PDF reader),  and the Puget Sound recovery community on ways to improve and apply adaptive management and evidence-based best practices to Puget Sound recovery planning and decision making at all levels;
• Oversee development, improvement of, and training for all adaptive management standards to ensure staff and partners achieve desired levels of adaptive management competency;
• Oversee a coordinated application of adaptive management and performance management tools and processes for Sound-wide and local planning and evaluation projects;
• Identify the need for and oversee the team’s work to develop or improve adaptive management tools for all scales of regional applications and processes;
• Collaborate with and advise agency leadership on the direction of the accountability program to ensure the Partnership is meeting statutory requirements;
• Lead engagement equitably with key partners and stakeholders on development and roll-out of the accountability program;
• Oversee the development of a shared analytical approach to accountability activities that link to broader systems of measurement;
• Collaborate with state, federal, tribal and local partner agencies and Partnership staff to identify and prioritize accountability topics; lead accountability-related board forums;
• Provide leadership and vision for development and enhancement of Puget Sound recovery information management and decision support tools. e.g. PS Info, Miradi, Box, SmartSheet;
• Invite and support Partnership staff in developing and maintaining information management systems to share planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation information among diverse planning and implementing entities and across multiple geographic scales;
• Support the communications program in the development and execution of their strategy to inform the public on performance of recovery actions and to tell the story of Puget Sound recovery;
• Lead the Adaptive Systems and Accountability Program staff and empower them to be successful in their work by valuing identity, respect and equitable access to support they needs;
• Engage staff in a way that supports high performance;
• Exercise independent anti-bias judgement within legal and policy framework related to interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring, recognition and evaluation of performance;
• Manage staff schedules, including telecommuting, in a manner that ensures a balance between staff flexibility and desired work outcomes; and
• Responsible for high quality and cost effective operations on a daily and long-term basis.

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.

• Masters or other advanced degree relevant to natural or social science discipline, planning, resource management or performance management;
• A minimum five years of relevant professional experience (e.g. science programs, ecosystem-based management, natural resource management, environmental programs and policy, performance management);
• Knowledge and skill in application of ecosystem-based management and frameworks for scientific engagement in ecosystem-based management;
• Competency in strategic planning and evaluation of programs, including development and application of monitoring, evaluation and learning plans;
• Competency in written and oral communication related to ecosystems, ecosystem recovery and protection and the role of science in ecosystem management;
• Outstanding creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to train and inspire others to use adaptive management best practices;
• Familiarity with the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, Structured Decision Making, Ecosystem Based Management and LEAN;
• Knowledge and skill in use of relational databases, cloud-based, collaborative information sharing software (e.g. Box, SmartSheet, Miradi) and performance tracking and reporting systems;
• A minimum of three years supervisory experience; and
• Competency in contract and project management.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.

• A minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience (e.g., science programs, ecosystem-based management, natural resource management, environmental programs, performance management, program evaluation);
• Extensive experience in working with scientists, planners and other technical staff in a variety of organizations, including: state and federal agencies, academic and research institutions, local and tribal governments, business community and environmental NGO;
• Extensive experience working in Puget Sound;
• Experience using Miradi; and
• Experience and commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Supplemental InformationReady to apply?

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.

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.