Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2815406/director-of-external-affairs-and-community-engagement
Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement
Executive Management Division – Olympia
Recruitment # 2020-07-7882
This is a full-time, exempt position.
This recruitment will remain open until filled with first review of applications August 10. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit material as soon as possible.
Work for Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote our efforts to lift up all Washingtonians. This includes informing the public around dynamic topics like wildfire, protecting our lands and waters, boosting rural and urban economies, and renewable energy development.
Our public lands create incredible economic benefit and generate tens of millions of dollars for schools, hospitals, and libraries. Under the leadership of Commissioner Franz, the agency is expanding opportunities that protect our lands and benefit our communities. We want you to help us share, and build support for, our efforts to push the agency forward and maximize the social, economic, and environmental value of public lands.
This position is a member of Commissioner Hilary Franz’ senior leadership team. The Director will be a liaison between Commissioner Franz and stakeholders, including community leaders, nonprofits, elected officials, trust beneficiaries, and businesses. The Director will work in close partnership with communications, policy, and executive staff at the Department of Natural Resources to inform and shape priorities and key initiatives, and then communicate those priorities and initiatives externally.
This position will supervise at least one External Affairs Manager, with the potential for the team to grow. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a politically sensitive environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines that will require work outside of regular business hours.
- Build and manage a robust external affairs program at DNR that keeps stakeholders informed of, and builds support for, agency initiatives.
- Serve as a point of contact for key stakeholders and community partners, including environmental organizations, state trust beneficiaries including schools, fire districts, libraries, and other essential services, businesses that work on public lands, labor, and community organizations. Gather, distill, and present stakeholder feedback to Commissioner Franz and the executive team.
- Develop and coordinate an external relations strategy for agency staff across programs and regions, deploying existing agency relationships and identifying and addressing critical gaps.
- Identify audiences and outreach opportunities to increase awareness and impact of DNR’s programs and services, and build strategies to advance and sustain agency priorities.
- Ensure community partners, stakeholders, elected officials, and businesses are aware of key programs and initiatives.
- Serve as a conduit to address emerging stakeholder issues, and improve coordination and communication between agency staff and external partners so that key issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
- Support DNR events, such as town halls, and work closely with agency staff to support monthly Board of Natural Resources meetings.
- Arrange meetings and events between stakeholders and Commissioner Franz, executive leaders, policy team, and/or legislative team.
- Staff Commissioner Franz at meetings with external partners.
- Work closely apprise elected officials of agency priorities and identify opportunities for partnerships.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts and the executive team to design key messages to be delivered for specific issues as they arise.
- Quickly assesses inaccurate or misleading information about the agency and propose actions that enhance the credibility of the agency.
- Knowledge of organizations – environmental, beneficiaries, business, etc. – that work with DNR.
- Cumulative experience as a coordinator or manager of external affairs and/or community outreach, preferably for a public agency, elected official, or company that generates significant public and media interest
- Demonstrated ability to build, track and maintain relationships with community partners.
- Demonstrated ability to interface with external partners, analyze/interpret issues and/or concerns, and find solutions
- Demonstrated ability to create and sustain effective relationships with community partners, foster and share leadership among individuals in the community, and build bridges among diverse community members and organizations.
- Experience managing outreach events, such as town halls.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to make complex information understandable to the general public using plain language.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Comfortable speaking in public and representing the agency at public events.
- Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships; even in times of high pressure and conflict.
- Fluency in the digital space, including using social media tools (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) to promote and inform.
- Must be proficient with MS office, Outlook, and other standard computer software.
- Valid Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Olympia, Washington on the state capitol campus and minutes from downtown and the South Puget Sound.
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
- You must attach the following:
- A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
- A resume including the names of three to five professional references
Application Status – once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. Finalists for the position will be contacted by the hiring manager directly. Recruitment may be extended depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool.
Questions? Please contact Andrea Wagner at 360-902-1024, andrea.wagner@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, pregnancy/parental status, genetic information, military status, political affiliation, criminal history or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1139. DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.