Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework is expected for all employees. As the Partnership begins to allow for re-entry into the workplace in 2022, the incumbent of this position will be expected to report to a Partnership office once a week at either our Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia locations. All newly hired employees will have to work for a day in the Olympia office for onboarding. Currently, the Partnership is requiring masks regardless of vaccination status and social distancing for any work taking place in-person with others.

As the Puget Sound Partnership’s Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator, you will be an integral part of the Integrated Planning Program and contribute to our mission by working with partners around Puget Sound engaged in salmon recovery planning and implementation. You’ll also spend a lot of your time working with local communities, tribes, federal and state agencies, non-profits and the business community in implementing the Action Agenda and enhance local integration.

A little bit about the Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency leading the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. We are a non-regulatory agency and part of the Executive Cabinet 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 endeavor to be a workplace where we are valued for sharing our authentic identities and recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive. The Partnership is on a journey and working to transform a vision into a place where each of us is heard, seen and valued

We are proud to offer a suite of “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• A healthy/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options
• Professional development allowances
• Active and engaging diversity program, including an affinity group
• Comprehensive benefits package
• A Commute Trip Reduction program
• 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.
A little bit about the Ecosystem Recovery Team
The Ecosystem Recovery Team, the largest within the Partnership, consists of seven Ecosystem Recovery Coordinators and three Managers. This team works closely with the region’s Local Integrating Organizations and salmon recovery Lead Entities to align actions, remove barriers and direct resources to advance the most important actions embedded in recovery plans. These team members empower partners and decision-makers to be well-informed by providing resources, offering technical assistance and help craft regional solutions to overcome barriers.

What you will be doing
You will be responsible for connecting local groups to available technical resources and assist in the development of strategies at the local and regional scale. You’ll foster learning and information sharing to improve effectiveness and efficiency across watersheds, local communities and the region. Communicating the needs of local communities to the Partnership and the priorities of the Partnership to local communities is a vital role you’ll play. The goal of the Partnership’s Integrated Planning team, of which you will be a member, is to facilitate collaboration in developing a shared plan to accelerate Puget Sound recovery and empower partners to implement local and regional recovery plans.

Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about relationships, collective efforts and stewardship to chart the course for a healthier and more sustainable Puget Sound. You will need to be a great communicator and facilitator who is able to draw people into collaboration ensuring all voices are heard and valued. You’ll need to ask the right questions to get a perspective of situations and be able to identify and focus on the highest priorities. If you are passionate about Puget Sound recovery and enjoy helping diverse communities think outside the box, integrate multiple perspectives, and find common ground to achieve objectives, you’ll thrive in this position. The abilities to value others and diversity of thought, promote brave spaces for learning, and strive for equity are essential.

Duties

Some of the duties include:

• Salmon Recovery:
  • Work with local coordinators in assigned Puget Sound watersheds to support their development and implementation of watershed planning and adaptive management processes and decision-making for the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan
  • Support funding mechanisms for salmon recovery efforts in Puget Sound, including the region’s role in the Salmon Recovery Funding Board Process, Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Program, and engaging with partner programs including those managed by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Maintain weekly contact, or more frequently, with salmon recovery watershed leads and key partners in assigned geographies to identify needs and opportunities in line with the salmon recovery plan
  • Monitor and engage in watershed specific projects that advance salmon recovery
• Local Action Agenda Implementation
  • Work with the Local Integrating Organizations (LIOs) in the assigned Action Area(s). These LIOs are composed of representatives of local governments, tribes, salmon recovery lead entities, private sector entities, watershed planning units, watershed councils, shellfish protection areas, regional fishery enhancement groups, marine resource committees, nearshore groups, non-governmental organizations, conservation districts, and community groups
  • Maintain weekly contact, or more frequent, with the LIO leads and key partners in assigned geographies to identify needs and opportunities in line with the Action Agenda
  • Support development of LIO prioritization processes and decision-making
  • Support reporting requirements for LIO sub-agreements managed by the Partnership’s Ecosystem Recovery Team, including biannual reports to the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and quarterly reports to EPA on LIO development and progress
  • If regional support is needed, engage in locally specific projects that advance local implementation of the Action Agenda
• Regional Initiatives and General Engagement:
  • Work with a team of ecosystem recovery liaisons
  • Each Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator is assigned regional topics for which they are team, or in some cases agency, lead. The roles and responsibilities for regional topic leads are further defined in the PDPs of the staff
  • Inform watersheds and local communities about the Partnership, Action Agenda, and Salmon Recovery Council requirements for management and reporting and support watersheds and local communities to deliver established requirements
  • Support regional meetings as needed, including those for the agency’s Boards and associated subcommittees
  • Manage contracts and sub-agreements with local areas and watersheds, including tracking progress, approving invoices and negotiating new scopes of work
  • Help connect watershed groups and local communities to technical resources to support salmon recovery and Action Agenda implementation
  • Support initiating and completing priority actions to implement the Action Agenda and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan at the local and regional scale
  • Frequent travel to project sites and partner meetings throughout Puget Sound.

Qualifications

Success in this position requires that one be a team player, defined as possessing initiative and a driving passion for the work, having humility and practicing curiosity in interactions with others, and valuing the whole human in each of us.  

Leadership is expected of everyone in the organization and is defined as follows:

We are committed to achieving our mission of accelerating and advancing the recovery of Puget Sound. To ensure our success, we are equally committed to running our agency in a high-performance manner that focuses on high-quality products and processes and a collaborative approach. We achieve high performance by:

• Valuing one another, our diversity, and our contribution to the agency and the mission
• Embracing shared leadership, and empowering all staff, as critical thinkers, to make timely evidence-based decisions in a collaborative manner
• Promoting learning–and implementing what we learn–by using the adaptive management cycle for both programs and internal operations
• Optimizing our human and financial resources

Required Experience, Competencies and Technical Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of professional natural resources management experience
• Knowledge of ecosystem-based management
• Knowledge of federal, state, and regional funding programs and annual/biennial funding cycles
• Knowledge of ecology and population biology of salmonids
• Knowledge of Endangered Species Act recovery planning
• Experience in managing contracts and monitoring and tracking progress
• Experience working with local jurisdictions
• Experience with adaptive management and natural resource planning
• Knowledge of institutions governing and implementing key habitat, harvest and hatchery management programs
• Commitment to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
• Possess a valid driver’s license

*Frequent travel to project sites and partner meetings throughout Puget Sound.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in natural resource management or related field
• Experience in Conservation Standards or natural resource monitoring
• General understanding of market-based funding mechanisms, such as in-lieu fee and other conservation banking
• General understanding of climate science and key players in the region
• Familiarity with water pollution prevention
• Familiarity with shellfish ecology
• Knowledge of the Puget Sound Action Agenda
• Knowledge of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan
• Experience in conflict resolution/mediation between parties over natural resource issues
• Familiarity with state legislative process

CONDITIONS OF THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
With or without an accommodation, 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
• Due to COVID-19 restrictions: Work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a workday in a home-based environment either full-time or part-time
• 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 state, 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

Supplemental Information

Application Process – Please read the instructions completely.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in our state, interviews will be conducted using a Zoom or Microsoft Teams videoconferencing platform. A telephone option is available as an alternative if videoconferencing is not possible.

We are a small, passionate, mission-driven, team-oriented, and fast-paced agency with an exceptional interdisciplinary staff.  If you enjoy building community and protecting our environment, we encourage you to apply!

Intrigued?  We’d love to hear from you. Click on “Apply” to submit your detailed application. Please attach 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 explains why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
• Current resume, detailing experience, and education.

** You will want to ensure you have a current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information attached or available to provide at the time of interview.

And that’s it!

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application material submitted, and the supplemental questionnaire. By submitting materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
**Do not attach transcripts or other documents that are not requested in the application process, or that are password protected. These type of documents cause errors when downloading application materials and will not be forwarded to the hiring supervisor.

Conditions of Employment: 

• COVID Vaccination Requirement: Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This position requires in-person attendance with no option for full-time telework.  Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status. No start date will be approved until you have verified your vaccine status.  Please do not attach your vaccination verification to your application as it will be removed. Details on how to proceed with verification will be provided once a conditional offer has been made.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or jobs@des.wa.gov.

The Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) is an equal opportunity employer.  PSP strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce. Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or that 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.