Who We Are
The Puget Sound Partnership is a non-regulatory state agency leading the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. We are also one of the Executive Cabinet agencies under Governor Inslee’s Office. The Partnership brings together hundreds of partners to mobilize action around a common agenda, advance Sound investments, and advance priority actions by supporting partners. We are on a journey working to transform a vision where each of us can bring our intersectionality and true self to the workplace. Our commitment to creating equitable and inclusive work environments that support the success of the full range of staff is grounded in recognizing that each of us needs different things to thrive. We believe that employees who feel valued and respected will create policies, programs, practices, and services that effectively meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our increasingly diverse partner populations.
 
 We are proud to offer a suite of “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• A healthy/work balance by offering flexible and alternative schedules
• Generous professional development and at-home office allowances
• Active and engaging equity and inclusion programs, including an affinity group
• Comprehensive benefits package, including additional Employee Assistance Program benefits
• Fully vested in modern workplace practices and design
• An Infant at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns. 

For more information, visit our website: www.psp.wa.gov.

We encourage applicants from outside of Washington to apply! The successful candidate would be required to relocate to Washington state within 30 days of the appointment date. The expectation of this position’s starting appointment date is by the end of the 2022 calendar year. 

Who we are looking for
Building and growing relationships are important to you. You have a passion for policy and the role it plays in environmental recovery efforts. You are no stranger to managing complexity and can successfully solve problems even with incomplete information. The ability to communicate with a variety of audiences and encourage inclusive collaboration is a well-developed skill you possess. 

Some of the duties include:

• Support the agency and leadership with research, analysis, and planning on complicated and priority issues, and serve as the subject matter expert or support the subject matter expert
• Provide support to the agency’s work on policies and issues that cross internal program divisions and external groups and provide support for executive management on strategic policy approaches to address sensitive and complicated recovery topics
• In consultation with the Boards Program Manager, support the advancement of work priorities of the Salmon Recovery Council, Leadership Council – and other Management Conference boards as needed – including preparation for and in-meeting support
• Actively participate in recurring, internal meetings of the Boards Program and contribute to the development of the Program’s overall work portfolio and strategic approaches
• Develop written and/or oral briefings as requested by the Boards Program Manager (including those serving to inform board members or other external senior officials) 
• Provide targeted bill analysis and testimony during Legislative Session
• Apply adaptive management best practices and common language to all special projects, processes, and communications through collaboration with Partnership staff and external partners

Required Experience, Competencies and Technical Skills (experience may be concurrent):

• Bachelor’s degree or above in environmental management, public policy, planning, or related field.
• Four years of professional experience related to natural resources policy, planning or management.
• Three years of professional experience working with external partners in a liaison capacity.
• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or above in environmental management, public policy, planning, or related field
• Five years of professional experience working with external partners in a liaison capacity.

CONDITIONS OF THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
   With or without accommodations, I am willing and able to:

• Work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a workday, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions 
• Work in a tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free environment
• Work a 40-hour work week (A flexible work schedule may be considered upon request and supervisory approval, after an initial review period)
• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evenings and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines
• Occasionally travel throughout the Puget Sound area, which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position
• Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position
• Interact and work with partners and staff in a positive, friendly, and supportive manner that meets the needs and standards of the office and the agency
• Permanently reside in Washington state and report in-person at Puget Sound agency offices and meetings on a weekly basis
• Be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus

Intrigued?  We’d love to hear from you. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that describes why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education

A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Things we ask you NOT include in your submission:

• Please remove any private or personal information such as your social security number, date of birth, marital status, family status, etc. 

• Do not attach documents that are password protected.
• Do not include your vaccination records or verification.
    

NOTE:  By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application.  Please do not say “refer to resume for detail” in your question responses, or your application may be disqualified.   
     

Conditions of Employment: 

COVID Vaccination Requirement: Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. Please reach out to the HR Office at HRVV@des.wa.gov if you need information on medical or religious accommodation. Please do not attach your vaccination verification to your application as it will be removed. Details on how to proceed with verification or accommodation will be provided once a conditional offer has been made.

Opportunity for All:

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
  

We understand your time is valuable. Our plan is to have our new Boards Policy Advisor onboard and contributing as early as 12/1/2022. Our first review of resumes will take place at the end of October. We are planning for first-round interviews in early November with second rounds in mid-November. You can expect timely communication throughout the process. Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Ebony.Ware@des.wa.gov or email jobs@des.wa.gov.