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Description
THE CHALLENGE
"Cleaning up and protecting Puget Sound must be at the top of the state agenda. It's critical to our economy, to fish and wildlife, and to the legacy we leave future generation." Gov. Chris Gregoire
The Puget Sound Partnership was recently established by the Legislature and the Governor to develop and implement an aggressive action agenda for protecting and restoring the environmental health of Puget Sound by 2020.
The State of Washington is seeking an innovative, dynamic, goal-driven individual to lead this agency in achieving its objectives within tight deadlines established by the legislation. We seek an individual who is open, candid and who enjoys the process of moving large numbers of institutions and people toward a given goal or objective. We are looking for someone with the communications skills to articulate the Partnership's mission, vision, and strategies to diverse audiences, and the ability to build and maintain key relationships in a complex political environment.
ABOUT THE AGENCY:
One of Governor Gregoire's first initiatives after being elected to office was to restore the environmental health of Puget Sound. The Governor appointed the Puget Sound Partnership in 2005 and charged them with developing recommendations for accomplishing this difficult task. The final report was released in December of 2006 (click here to view the full report). The report recommended a new governance structure that provides visible, trusted leadership across the region, and is accountable for results. At the request of the Governor, the Legislature acted on this recommendation by passing a bill creating the Puget Sound Partnership entity as a new state government agency. Governor Gregoire signed the legislation on May 7, 2007.
This new Partnership is charged with taking a collaborative and accountable approach to restoring Puget Sound by defining a strategic action agenda that is science-based and addresses the ecosystem as a whole. This requires gathering existing watershed and ecosystem plans, and integrating elements of them into a single action agenda. It includes development of a strategic science program that addresses monitoring, modeling, data management and research, and identifies science gaps and research priorities.
The agency is comprised of a Leadership Council, an Executive Director, an Ecosystem Coordination Board, and a Science Panel. The Leadership Council is appointed by the Governor, and the Executive Director is appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Council. The Ecosystem Coordination Board and Science Panel are appointed and convened by the Council (except for tribal and federal members who are invited by the Governor). Individuals seeking more information are encouraged to review the legislation establishing the Partnership, ESSB 5372.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The role of the Executive Director is to lead the development and implementation of the action agenda for protecting and restoring the environmental health of Puget Sound by 2020. This position is accountable to the Governor and the Leadership Council for effective communications, actions and results in achieving those goals. The Executive Director ensures the successful development, approval, and implementation of the protection and restoration action agenda. The Director works in close consultation and collaboration with the Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, and the Science Panel.
Other duties include:
- Managing the agency, including developing budget proposals, acquiring needed resources, supervising staff and providing strategic direction in carrying out the Partnership's mission.
- Educating the public about Puget Sound's health and engaging their participation in Puget Sound protection and recovery.
- Assisting the Council in appointing and convening the Ecosystem Coordination Board and the Science Panel, as well as providing staffing to ensure these entities have capacity to carry out their responsibilities.
- Establishing mechanisms to raise money and other resources through charitable giving, donations and other appropriate means.
- Establishing performance accountability mechanisms, overseeing efficiency and effectiveness of money spent, tracking and reporting results to the Governor, the Council and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The most successful candidate will be an accomplished leader and innovator in environmental and natural resource policy, planning and management. This person will need to have knowledge of scientific research methodology, program planning design, program evaluation, and understanding of performance accountability systems and how they work.
We are interested in candidates with a proven ability and demonstrated success in facilitating partnerships and collaborating with diverse groups including local community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state, federal and tribal governments. Experience managing a public service and/or non-profit agency, including budget and financial management experience is also preferred.
The ideal candidate for this position will also have:
- A Bachelor's degree or higher in the area of environmental management, natural resources, public policy and administration, or similar field.
- Working knowledge of Washington Sate and federal programs, laws and policies related to water and environmental quality, and natural resources.
- Understanding of the value of local citizen engagement, empowerment and commitment toward a well-articulated goal.
- Knowledge of principles and approaches to ecosystem management and skill in integrating science and policy considerations for decision-making.
- Experience working with boards or commissions, preferably in the role of chair, director or lead staff.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills including public speaking, media relations, group facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered for this position, please email a letter of interest and your resume.
Please be aware that the hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Candidate evaluation will be ongoing and it will be to the applicant's advantage to submit materials as soon as possible. The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (360) 664-6211.