Legislative Director
Recruitment #2021-05-7041
This is a Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Work for Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop policies that will lift up all Washingtonians. This includes advancing bold, forward-thinking legislation that boosts rural and urban economies, protects our environment, increases the revenue public lands generate, and builds stronger, more connected communities.

Our public lands create incredible economic benefit and generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year for schools, hospitals, and libraries. Under the leadership of Commissioner Franz, the agency is expanding opportunities to protect our lands and benefit our communities.

A strong partnership with the state legislature is the cornerstone to Commissioner Franz’s vision. We want you to help us develop and advance an innovative and bold legislative agenda.

The successful candidate will be dynamic, creative, hardworking, and have a proven track record of getting legislative and budgetary issues across the finish line. Critical areas of expertise include knowledge of the state legislative process, strong relationships with state legislators and legislative staff, excellent writing, researching, and strategic thinking skills, and project and team management.

The Legislative Director supports the agency with expertise, advice, and leadership on major strategic issues. Expect to bring big, ambitious ideas to life. Expect a fast-paced work environment. Expect to be challenged, but know you have a strong, talented team to support you.

The legislative team at DNR supports Commissioner Franz by advancing legislative solutions to complex challenges. Recent successes include:

• Unanimous passage of House Bill 1168 and securing a $125M biennial investment in wildfire response, forest health, and community resilience.
• Securing funding for salmon recovery, recreation, Tribal partnerships, earthquakes and school seismic safety, rural broadband, and more.
• Modernizing our state’s urban forestry program (HB 1216) to improve health and equity outcomes for all Washington communities.
• Securing funding to begin implementing the state’s 20-year plan to restore the health of 1.25 million acres of forests and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Launching new initiatives with the legislature to re-energize rural economies with keystone projects, including building a facility to recycle derelict boats in Ilwaco, WA and building out broadband internet in Northeast Washington, among others.

The Legislative Director serves at the pleasure of the Commissioner.

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to achieve outcomes by coordinating with subject matter experts and stakeholders in order to build support for, and pass, legislation that supports DNR’s mission.

Responsibilities:
As Legislative Director, your colleagues will entrust you to:

• Manage a team, including a Deputy Legislative Director and Legislative Manager.
• Bring creative thinking to the development of the agency’s legislative agenda.
• Incorporate key information about external organizations, interests, and issues into the development of legislative priorities.
• Advocate for agency request legislation; work with the Policy Team and others to conduct research on the environmental, economic, and political impacts of legislation.
• Recommend and execute strategies on bills and issues during legislative session, both short-term and long-term.
• Monitor legislation that may impact the agency. Maintain up-to-date status reports on legislation.
• Represent the Commissioner at key meetings and in front of key audiences, including providing legislative testimony.
• Build and strengthen relationships with state legislators and state legislative staff.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for state legislators and ensure their concerns are addressed and responded to.
• Develop and oversee both interim and session strategies in order to best position the agency to accomplish its legislative goals.
• Write and present briefing memos to the Commissioner and senior leadership.
• Provide internal and external communications to update stakeholders on legislative issues and ensure the legislative team has the support it needs to meet legislative goals.
• Coordinate across agency divisions to meet high-profile and time-sensitive legislative goals.
• Consult with and advise members of executive management on key issues, including gathering and incorporating feedback from Division and program managers.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a political science, public policy, business administration, or another field relevant to the position’s responsibilities; or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience successfully moving high-priority, high profile legislation involving multiple, competing interests.
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships and work collaboratively with others inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to work as part of a team to develop and achieve department and project goals.
• A strong work ethic and commitment to public service.
• Experience working on issues related to equity, environmental and/or racial justice, including supporting integration into organizational practices and policies.
• Strong problem solving skills, creative thinking ability, and vision.
• Innovative mindset and approach.
• Active listening skills as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts; receive and convey ideas, thoughts and information.
• Demonstrated ability to write for targeted audiences effectively and to communicate persuasively at all levels of the organization and externally.
• Knowledge of current economic, social, political and regulatory developments.
• Ability to develop short and long-range plans.
• Ability to develop and conduct independent research projects.
• Ability to coordinate, facilitate, and manage the work of ad hoc teams formed from cross-agency resources.
• Experience working cooperatively with government officials, agency staff, senior managers, industry representatives and the public at all levels.
• Experience working for an elected official or high-level executive.
• Travel is expected, occasionally to region offices or the offices of external stakeholders/legislators/beneficiaries.

Location: 
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. For more information on this area visit, http://olympiawa.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

How to Apply: 
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.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress

Questions?  Please contact Anna Borris at Anna.borris@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov