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Environmental Assessment Program Manager (EMS Band 3)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. If you want to lead a highly effective, collaborative team that is dedicated to measuring and assessing environmental conditions in Washington State, and provides credible science to guide Washington's environmental choices, this may be the position for you.

The Environmental Assessment Program Manager is an Exempt Management Service Band 3 position that reports to Ecology's Deputy Director. The position is located in Lacey, WA, at our headquarters building.

We are seeking a respected scientist, strategic thinker and problem-solver to manage and lead our Environmental Assessment Program (EAP). This position leads Ecology's environmental monitoring and scientific studies program.

We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. This means protecting both people and the environment from pollution, restoring and preserving important ecosystems that sustain life, and finding ways to meet human needs without destroying environmental resources and functions.

Our everyday interaction with citizens, stakeholders, and the public we assist and regulate is fundamental to achieving these results. We treat our customers as partners and collaborators, provide respectful and prompt service, explore creative solutions for the best results, and act with integrity. We maintain effective infrastructure and foster a workforce that is committed, productive and successful. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.  
 
Local efforts. Diverse people. Statewide impact.
 
Duties
 
We're looking for an experienced leader to manage our Environmental Assessment Program (EAP). The Program Manager serves as a principal advisor, decision-maker and spokesperson in carrying out the responsibilities of the program. Along with environmental monitoring and scientific studies, the program manager oversees environmental laboratory operations and an accreditation program for environmental and drinking water laboratories.

This position manages approximately 150 staff and a biennial operating budget of $35 million.
It is responsible for: 
  • Setting the strategic direction of the program, developing and implementing program plans to support field sampling and laboratory operations, ensures the quality of the data and reports generated by the program meet the needs for the agency.
  • Providing sampling and laboratory services to Ecology's environmental programs.
  • Maintaining a key role in the coordination and administration of monitoring efforts across Puget Sound as part of Puget Sound recovery efforts.
  • Providing expert advice to other Environmental Programs at Ecology, other agencies, and the legislature on key scientific issues as they relate to legislation, budget requests and agency policy decisions.
  • Negotiating complex interagency agreements with other public entities for environmental sampling and analytical services that affect Ecology's budget and resources.
 
This position makes strategic decisions related to the direction taken on technical policy and supporting regulatory areas, human resource deployment to deliver services in Washington, and contractual relationships with public agencies and academic institutions. This position also makes tactical and operational decisions related to administrative systems, application of science to environmental monitoring and modeling, investments in instrumentation and equipment, studies to site facilities related to the program mission, information and communication technology and equipment. The position is responsible and accountable for the Environmental Assessment Program's budget.
 
As a Key Member of Ecology's Executive Management Team
It is critical that this important position maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government. This is a highly visible role with other federal and state agencies involved in environmental management which impacts fisheries, hydropower, land use, and other aquatic related programs. Success in this position requires the use of advanced management, communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills with high-level, influential elected and appointed officials.

As a key member of our Department's Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will:
  • Represent the Director with federal, state, local, tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, and the business community.
  • Develop credibility as a problem solver and a source of environmental data for decision-makers and the public.
  • Make recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on how to implement programs and develop policies including agency direction for work procedures to ensure responsive service delivery and consistency.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 30, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 29, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
 
A Bachelor's Degree in environmental, physical or natural science, public health or other related qualifying discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with post graduate degrees in scientific and/or public health fields.
 
A minimum of:
Five (5) years of professional-level management experience which includes:
  • Providing direction to mid-level managers and supervisors which includes coaching, training, recruitment, and performance management.
  • Providing oversight of a business' diverse functions combining and directing all aspects to meet the overall business objectives.
 
Three (3) years of strategic planning experience including development of annual and biennial based business plans with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of the business.
 
Five (5) years of experience managing relationships with a proven track record in consensus building, collaboration and negotiations.
 
Five (5) years of experience with a proven track record working with state agencies, city, county and federal governments.
 
Five (5) years of project management experience with a proven track record in managing complex projects with intersecting and interdependent timelines/deadlines.
 
Five (5) years of budget development and administrative experience.
 
Ability to motivate staff in a high pressure and high demand environment.
 
Please note: Experience in each of the areas may be gained concurrently.
 
Desired Qualifications:
 
  • A Master's Degree or higher in environmental, physical, natural sciences, or public health.
  • A minimum of Five (5) years of experience with senior level key stakeholder relationship development including advanced knowledge of legislative processes and intergovernmental relations.
  • Three (3) or more years of experience as a member of a senior management or executive team.
  • Advanced knowledge of state fiscal practices.
  • Five (5) years of experience providing leadership and guidance (not always with direct line authority) to a large staff of at least 50 technical/scientific and/or policy employees.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
 
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Supplemental Information

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application: 
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience and a salary history for your last four positions. 
 
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.
 
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see my resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at 360.407.6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

Other Information:
 
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Polly Zehm at: polly.zehm@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Polly to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186, or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at (360) 664-6211.