Salary: $109,200.00 – $145,283.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-EXEC4547-08987
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Executive
Opening Date: 07/17/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

The Department of Ecology is currently looking to fill the Director of the Office of Chehalis Basin (Exempt Management Service Band 4) position. This position reports to Ecology’s Director and is located at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. This is an exciting and challenging position. It’s an opportunity to become part of a dynamic executive leadership team that engages federal, state, local, tribal, citizen, elected official and environmental group interests to create innovative partnerships.
 
The Director position is responsible for implementing the Office of Chehalis Basin established in Chapter 194, Laws of 2016 (RCW 43.21A.730 to .733). Specifically, the position’s mission is to aggressively pursue implementation of a multi-benefit strategy to reduce flood hazard and restore aquatic habitat in the Basin. The Chehalis Basin Strategy links to broader Ecology missions regarding floodplain management, water supply, aquatic and nearshore habitat protection, and shoreline management. The position will be responsible for managing staff and consultants who provide information to Chehalis Basin Board to allow the Board to carry out its strategy adoption, progress tracking and revision roles. The Direct of the Office of the Chehalis Basin is responsible for determining priority and scale of actions to implement the Chehalis Basin Strategy and works closely with the Chehalis Basin Board which has final approval responsibility for project lists related to flood damage reduction and habitat restoration.

Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. 

Office of the Chehalis Basin Mission:  Aggressively pursue implementation of a multi-benefit strategy to reduce flood hazard and restore aquatic habitat in the Basin. The Chehalis Basin Strategy links to broader Ecology missions regarding floodplain management, water supply, aquatic and nearshore habitat protection, and shoreline management.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 60% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on August 4, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before August 3, 2023. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.  

Who are we looking for?
As the Director, you will be the public face of the highly-visible and community-driven Chehalis Basin Strategy program. Through the Chehalis Basin Board, a wide spectrum of interests in the Basin has engaged in development and initial implementation actions related to the Strategy – from agriculture and urban interests, to tribal and fish habitat restoration interests. Maintaining the momentum and support of the varied interests will be a key responsibility of the position.
 
In this role, you will have administrative and management responsibilities in several arenas. The evolving nature of the Chehalis Basin Strategy will require adapting work programs and budgets to match emerging challenges. Within the Office of Chehalis Basin, the Director will have direct supervisory and management responsibility. Within the wider arena of Ecology environmental programs, the Office Director will need to work cooperatively with Program Managers and senior staff from a variety of disciplines to achieve objectives of the Strategy.
 
 Major outcomes include:

• Adoption of a multi-benefit strategy, action plan, implementation schedule and measures of success, with broad support from an array of basin interests.    
• A path forward for game-changing levels of investment in reducing damage from floods, and improving habitat and increasing fish populations, in the Chehalis basin.

In this role, you develop policies having broad agency wide application for the design and delivery of programs and services affecting a substantial segment of the public and government. You will make strategic decisions that will have long-term impact, and will ensure tactical decisions align or support the strategic direction.
 
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 the legislature, and other state and federal agencies involved. This includes working across the agency and across state government at all levels.
   
 As a key member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team, you will:  

• Represent the Director with Federal, regional, state, local, Tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, environmental justice advocacy groups, and the business community. 
• Develop credibility as a dependable and accurate problem solver and source of information for local, state, and Tribal leaders. 
• Work with other programs and agencies, Tribal governments, local governments, and various organizations to formulate and implement various policies, procedures, guidelines and rules related to the Chehalis Basin Strategy. 
• 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. 
• Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful workplace. 

Required Qualifications:

A total of nine years of experience and/or education.

Experience: in professional level management, which includes the following:

• Three (3) years engaging with tribal governments on natural resource management issues.
• Three (3) years of strategic planning experience, including development of annual and biannual business plans with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of the business.
• Three (3) years of policy development or program implementation related to natural resources.
• Three (3) years managing relationships with high-level, influential, elected and appointed officials with a proven track record of consensus building, collaboration and negotiations that reflect a strong understanding of legislative processes and inter-government relations.
• A successful track record working with state agencies, city, county, and federal governments, and tribal and public entities.
• Community outreach.
• Budget management.

Please note: Experience in each of the areas listed above may have been gained concurrently. 

Education: With a major study in environmental, physical or natural science, environmental studies, engineering, public administration, planning public policy, political science, law, or other related qualifying discipline.  

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:  

Desired Qualifications
A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in water or natural resource management or public administration is preferred.

Application Instructions
It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4122511/director-office-of-chehalis-basin