Salary: $85,000.00 – $95,000.00 Annually
This is a Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented position.
Closing: Continuous
 

See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3235466/external-affairs-manager-environmental-justice

Duties

Responsibilities:
The Manager will be part of the External Affairs Team and serve as a liaison between Commissioner Franz and community partners, stakeholders, elected officials, and businesses. The Manager 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.

  • Through evaluation of the social determinants of health, proposed, new, and existing activities and programs, lead development of a comprehensive implementation plan to prevent and mitigate environmental and health disparities in overburdened and vulnerable communities through a robust agency community engagement plan.
  • 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.
  • 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 through public comment and engagement.
  • 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.
  • Build turnout for 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 with the Legislative Director and the Tribal Liaison to connect with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels regarding agency priorities and work to 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 assess inaccurate or misleading information about the agency and propose actions that enhance the credibility of the agency.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • 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 work in and with overburdened and vulnerable populations, and demonstrated working knowledge of, and cultural sensitivity to those populations.
  • 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.
  • Conversational proficiency in a language other than English is preferred.
  • Current Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
  • Knowledge of organizations – environmental, beneficiaries, business, etc. – that work with DNR.
  • DNR Core Competencies: 
    • Personal Accountability 
    • Value Others 
    • Compassionate Communication 
    • Inspire Others 
    • Commitment to Excellence
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: The Commissioner of Public Lands has instituted a requirement that all employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021, as a condition of employment.   Vaccination status will be verified at the time an offer of employment is made.  An accommodation may be available for individuals who have a sincerely held religious belief or a medical reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.  

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in political science, public policy, environmental science or another field relevant to the position’s responsibilities OR four years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree

Supplemental Information

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 on the state capital campus and minutes from downtown and the South Puget Sound. 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.
 
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.
 
Questions?  Please contact Bevin Mcleod at 360-688-0816, Bevin.mcleod@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

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.