Director of Programs (WMS2)

Schedule and location: This position is eligible for telework and will typically work 8:00am to 4:30pm, but may need to attend meetings and events as needed.

Who we are:

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a non-regulatory state agency that supports and coordinates our state's 45 conservation districts and administers voluntary conservation programs. Together, the SCC and conservation districts provide incentive-based services that empower people across Washington to take actions that keep natural resources and working lands healthy for all. About this

Position:

This position reports to the agency's Deputy Director. As a part of the agency's leadership team, you will oversee SCC's grant programs and program staff. You will supervise two Program Supervisors who are responsible for supervision of the program staff. Working closely with agency leadership and policy staff, you will lead, develop, and support agency strategy and vision related to program development and implementation to ensure program alignment with agency priorities. You will lead agency strategy on programmatic issues and updates, fosters collaborative relationships to support program success, and ensure consistent implementation of agency policies and procedures across all program areas while providing agency-wide leadership, integration, and oversight of SCC's grant programs and Science Hub. The programs team currently includes the following grant programs, collaborations, and partnerships: Agricultural Conservation Easement Sponsorship, Disaster Assistance Program, Forest Health and Community Wildfire Resiliency, Riparian Plant Propagation Program, Sustainable Farms and Fields, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Farmland Protection and Land Access, Irrigation Efficiencies Grant Program, Riparian Grant Program, Food Policy Forum, Office of Farmland Preservation, Science Hub, Voluntary Stewardship Program, Washington Soil Health Initiative, and Coordinated Resource Management. New programs, partnerships, and collaborations may be added to the program team in response to reflect updated agency priorities or based on external influences (e.g. direction from the Legislature). The Director of Programs has three direct reports: Programs Supervisor x 2 and Ecosystems Manager & Science Hub Lead--with 11 indirect reports. Some of what you'll enjoy doing includes: Professional staff management: Manage and provide oversight of the Programs Team and Science Hub providing clear direction, professional development, and performance feedback Strategic program planning and evaluation : Lead and coordinate agency program planning, implementation, and reporting to ensure programs are aligned with SCC's mission, legislative requirements, and performance targets.

Budget management:

Develop, monitor, and manage program budgets in collaboration with program managers and fiscal staff, ensuring resources are allocated and expended in compliance with agency policy and state requirements Create a culture of collaboration: Facilitate integration and collaboration among SCC programs and with other agency units to support agency-wide consistency and effectiveness Program oversight: Responsible for operational oversight of all agency programs assigned, ensuring alignment with SCC goals, compliance with policies, and delivery of intended outcomes Risk management : Exercises independent judgment in making decisions regarding program operations, staffing, and issue resolution, while maintaining accountability to agency policies, leadership direction, and best practices

REQUIRED

[

OPTION 1

] Bachelor's degree or higher in natural resources, environmental science, public administration, business administration, or related field AND Five (5) years of relevant professional experience in staff supervision and program management. [

OPTION 2

] Any combination of education/experience totaling nine (9) years AND Valid Washington State Driver's License; ability to travel as required Minimum five (5) years experience supervising professional staff (may run concurrently with relevant experience) Minimum five (5) years experience managing programs or projects with agency- or division-wide impact Demonstrated ability to develop, monitor, and manage program budgets and resources Strong knowledge of program administration, grant or contract management, and performance measurement Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders Experience working with conservation districts, local governments, or similar entities Demonstrated ability to promote and support DEI in a leadership or program management role

PREFERRED

Masters degree in public administration or business administration or related degree Experience in a Washington state agency or comparable public-sector environment Direct experience with Conservation District programs or similar local/state partnerships Background in natural resource program management Experience in natural resource policy We'd love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions. 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 intere s t (no more than 2 pages) explaining how you have prepared yourself for this position. A current resume or CV, detailing experience, and education. A current list of at least three (3) professional reference s with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview) •Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

NOTE:

By submitting these 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. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified. Opportunity for

All:

The Washington State Conservation Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. 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.

Contact Information:

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at jobs@des.wa.gov Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.