Policy Director
Recruitment #2021-03-7332
This is a Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Executive Management and Support Division.  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 initiatives that boost rural and urban economies, protect our environment, increase the revenue public lands generate, and build stronger, more connected communities.

Our public lands create incredible economic benefit and generate hundreds of millions of dollars for schools, hospitals, and libraries. Under the leadership of Commissioner Franz, the agency is expanding opportunities to protect our lands and benefit our communities.
We want you to help us push the agency forward and maximize the social, economic, and environmental value of public lands through developing and shepherding innovative and bold initiatives.

The successful candidate will be dynamic, creative, hardworking, and have a proven track record of solving complex policy issues and putting wins on the board. Critical areas of expertise include writing, researching, analytical and strategic thinking, and project and team management.
As Policy Director, you will provide strategic guidance to agency leadership, including the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commissioner Franz. The Policy Director supports the agency with expertise, advice, and leadership on major strategic policy 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 policy team at DNR supports Commissioner Franz by advancing solutions to complex challenges. Recent successes include:

• Launching a 20-year plan to restore the health of 1.25 million acres of forests and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Advancing 21st century wind and solar energy projects to generate revenue for schools and counties, and help Washington transition to a clean energy future.
• Launching initiatives to reenergize 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.
• Developing a first-of-its-kind dedicated funding bill to expand wildfire and forest health efforts.
• Partnering with science, policy and business leaders to launch a Climate Resilience Plan to help communities across Washington prepare for the impacts of climate change.
• Expanding and improving recreation opportunities on public lands.

The Policy Director serves at the pleasure of the Commissioner and reports to the
Deputy Chief of Staff. Overall, the Policy Director leads their team in developing policy and project solutions to meet agency goals and to address challenges facing the agency. Some initial opportunities the Policy Team is advancing are:

• Developing new, innovative opportunities to generate revenue on state trust lands, including wind and solar leasing.
• Launching a Tree-to-Sea salmon strategy, starting in the Snohomish Watershed.
• Identifying commercial development opportunities that meet each community’s most pressing needs, while also supporting DNR’s trust responsibilities.
• Sourcing, scoping, and building support for rural economic development projects.
• Promoting and enhancing equity and environmental justice across the state to ensure historically marginalized communities do not continue to bear disproportionate burdens.
• Developing new carbon sequestration policies and sequestration-related funding for natural and working lands.

The successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to achieve these outcomes by coordinating with subject matter experts from internal, external and interagency groups, ultimately leading to the development and implementation of plans, policies and strategies that support DNR’s mission.

Responsibilities:
This position makes decisions with agency-wide impact to achieve high-profile, high-priority Commissioner policy objectives. Significant decisions are made in consultation with the Deputy Chief of Staff and the agency executive team. In consultation with the Deputy Chief of Staff, monitors a wide-range of complex policy areas and other high-priority issues and determines when corresponding briefings and updates are required for the Commissioner.

As Policy Director, your colleagues will entrust you to:

• Manage a team of four senior policy advisors. Contribute to the development and completion of Policy team’s portfolio projects.
• Bring creative thinking to the on-going development and implementation of long-range strategic policy initiatives and issues and translate long-range goals into short-term actionable projects.
• Coordinate across agency divisions to meet high-profile and time-sensitive Commissioner goals;
• Consult with and advise members of executive management on key issues, including gathering and incorporating feedback from Division and program managers;
• Provide internal and external communications to accomplish agency policy objectives and provide consultation and research on policy issues;
• Work with programs to identify information required for policy development, legislation, and recommended priorities;
• Sponsor, coordinate, and lead work groups on subjects of agency-wide strategic importance.
• Incorporate key information about external organizations, interests, and issues into the development and implementation of strategic policy priorities.
• Work with diverse and competing interest groups to develop solutions and resolve conflicts surrounding high-profile issues. Represent the Commissioner at key meetings and in front of key audiences.
• In partnership with the Legislative Affairs team, write, advocate for and support agency request legislation; conduct research on the environmental, economic and political impacts of legislation.

Required Qualifications: 

• Experience working with diverse and competing interest groups to develop solutions on high profile projects.
• Demonstrated ability to make effective oral presentations to both internal and external audiences, the ability to distill complex concepts into digestible information.
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships and work cooperatively with others, inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to manage a team to develop and achieve department and project goals.
• A strong work ethic and commitment to public service.
• Strong problem solving skills, creative thinking ability, and vision.
• Innovative mindset and approach.
• Political awareness.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Managerial or supervisory experience leading a team with diverse subject matter expertise.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a political science, public policy, business administration, or another field relevant to the position’s responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience successfully moving high-priority, high profile projects involving multiple, competing interests from start to completion.
• 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 to 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.

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, the incumbent is 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.

Veteran’s 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.

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Questions?  Please contact Kristine Graham at 360-280-0240, Kristine.Graham@dnr.wa.gov, email or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov