Deputy Program Manager (WMS Band 3)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.
The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill a Deputy Program Manager (WMS Band 3) position. The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
The Deputy Program Manager position reports directly to the Air Quality Program Manager. It oversees the northwest, central and eastern regional office sections located in Bellevue, Union Gap and Spokane (approximately 40 FTEs), the Technical Services Section and the Science and Engineering Sections at Headquarters, including one position located in Vancouver (approximately 40 FTEs). This position provides management and leadership of program operations and serves as acting Program Manager as needed, allowing the Air Quality Program Manager to focus on emerging policy issues and relationships and communication outside of the program, including with other governments, stakeholders and elected officials.
We are looking for applicants who have strong people management and mentoring skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties
The Department of Ecology's strategic priorities are: reduce and prepare for climate change; prevent and reduce toxic threats; protect and restore Puget Sound; and deliver integrated water solutions. The Air Quality Program (AQP) is one of ten environmental programs at Ecology. The Air Quality Program supports the first three of these priorities.
The Air Quality Program's vision is clean, healthy air for all of Washington. It enhances and protects air quality in Washington State by identifying, preventing, and reducing air pollution. The program also provides leadership on climate change by limiting, measuring and reporting carbon pollution.
Some of the key work activities of the Deputy Program Manager position are:
- Plans, leads and organizes the complex work performed by the Eastern, Central, Technical Services, and Science and Engineering Sections of Ecology's Air Quality Program.
- Leads strategic planning, evaluation, and quality improvement processes for the Air Quality Program
- Leads work to increase and maintain employee engagement and positive workplace culture based on program data and research on good organizational practices and, with the Program Manager, identifies and implements opportunities to maximize program performance and engender a strong team atmosphere within and across all sections and work units within the program.
About the team:
This position provides you an opportunity to work with a dedicated, highly engaged team of talented professionals dedicated to maintaining and enhancing air quality in Washington and to work in an energetic, dynamic working environment that is constantly innovating.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be October 3, 2018. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 2, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, planning, public administration, business administration, or closely related field
AND
Five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource planning, program development or management. A minimum of 18 months supervisory experience managing technical and policy staff.
Knowledge of state and federal statutory, administrative and case law governing environmental protection and related resources; state legislative processes; principals of policy and program planning development; state and national politics of environmental protection; principles of developing and managing program budget and workload; and advanced principles of environmental management. Requires a basic knowledge of economics, multi-agency roles and responsibilities, and political interactions.
Specific skills required include:
- Advanced skills in performance assessment, budget management, human resource management, and strategic planning.
- Experience in building consensus, conflict resolution, and maintaining key relationships internally and externally.
- Ability to work effectively in a stressful environment, prioritizing tasks and managing workload to meet requirements or deadlines.
- Ability to maintain a calm, respectful, and professional demeanor.
- Ability to function independently while making appropriate decisions when necessary based on available information.
- Ability to be dependable, flexible, and willing to accept new responsibilities.
- Ability to supervise, delegate and develop plans and schedules for managers to carry out work of varying complexity.
- Ability to manage major air quality and agency initiatives.
- Ability to think analytically, innovatively, and strategically to develop, evaluate, and synthesize recommendations for agency management.
- Understand customer and stakeholder needs and objectives and be viewed as open and responsive and able to influence positions to achieve maximum consensus.
- Ability to negotiate or facilitate effective resolution of complex, contentions issues in both formal and informal settings with legislators and staff, governments, stakeholder groups, and individuals.
- Ability to make critical decisions on the effects of air quality legislation, rules, programs, policies, and budgets.
- Ability to exercise leadership with teams of staff working on program initiatives.
- Ability to create a supportive work environment to promote meaningful work, creative problem solving, and continuous learning throughout the program.
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced management and planning courses and work experience.
- Knowledge and experience with complex computer databases and other information technology.
- Extensive knowledge of Washington State and federal air quality laws and regulations, enforcement policies, air quality permits, and pollution reduction programs.
Special Requirements/Conditions of employment:
Possess a valid driver's license.
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:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth
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 attach the following documents as attachments 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.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
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 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.
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 Kathy Taylor at: kathy.taylor@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Kathy 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. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.