State Conservation Commission Executive Director

Executive Director

Application Deadline: This recruitment is open until filled. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. First round application reviews will likely begin the week of September 10, 2023.

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.

The Opportunity
The Washington State Conservation Commission(SCC) is seeking an outstanding leader and manager to be the agency’s next Executive Director. The Executive Director will lead a staff of 29 to carry out work of the SCC as the coordinating state agency for all 45 conservation districts (CDs) in Washington State.

Together, the SCC and CDs provide voluntary, incentive-based programs that empower people to practice conservation and ensure healthy natural resources and agriculture for all.

The SCC is responsible for providing funding to the 45 conservation districts across the state. These funding allocations are submitted by the executive director to the Commission's governing body for affirmation. The 45 conservation districts utilize these funds for operations and salaries of the 250+ employees statewide, and funds for projects implemented by landowners to improve and enhance water, air, soil, plants, animals, humans, and energy.

Duties

The executive director of the State Conservation Commission leads, directs and manages the agency in coordinating the efforts of federal, and state agencies, local governments, congressional and state legislative members, in meeting the needs of the natural resources of the state.

The executive director develops an operational plan, including objectives and results expected. This position manages a staff of 29 FTEs, oversees operations, develops, submits, and implements a biennial budget in excess of $90 million per biennium.

Primary Responsibilities

• Elevate issues of concern to appropriate federal leadership and/or congressional delegation to seek federal support, as appropriate.
• Ensuring compliance by governing board and staff to all state and federal rules.
• Providing direction and enabling staff to implement the approved strategic plan of the Conservation Commission. Create and maintain a supportive, engaged work culture for SCC staff.
• Working through Office of Financial Management and the Legislature, secure funding for operations and conservation district program implementation.
• Provide governing board members a broad understanding of issues facing natural resources in Washington State, recommendations on program development, risk assessments, and communicating positions to the 485 conservation district supervisors and staff across the state.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Governor's policy staff, state agencies, and tribes on natural resources issues.
• Management and oversight of the agency's 29 FTEs, multiple programs, and a biennial budget in excess of $90 million.

Role Reports to Commission
The governing 10-member Commission Board has authority over the Executive Director and approves by motion using Robert’s Rules of Order.

Fiscal Responsibility
The Executive Director has authority to manage all day-to-day budget decisions for agency operations at an estimated $5 million per fiscal year.

Under the guidance and recommendation of the agency’s finance director, decisions and recommendations are brought to the Board of Commissioners for the Operating and Capital budgets. The Board of Commissioners approve final budget decisions at the recommendation of the Director.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of voluntary conservation and how it is implemented, and the ability to effectively advocate its importance.
• Demonstrated senior/executive-level management/leadership skills that include active listening, the ability to make quick and consistently accurate decisions, creating and maintaining a collaborative work environment, developing effective coaching and mentoring programs and directing and overseeing change.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in natural resources, agriculture, public policy, political science or related field.
• Staff management experience, including management of remotely located staff. Leadership skills to create and maintain a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workforce.
• Understanding of the state’s budget process and the ability to oversee a budget that effectively supports the agency and Washington’s conservation districts.
• Experience in dealing with local units of government. Experience working with conservation districts preferred.
• Knowledge of legislative process, ability to address media, prepare and present material in a variety of methods and varied audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communication planning; program development and project management; stakeholder management and group dynamics; written and verbal communication; perform in a high-stress, high- demand environment.

Equity and the SCC
The executive director must be the example for the following competencies related to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism:

Creating and maintaining a space that is inclusive and safe for everyone that interacts with and within our agency. As a leader you recognize that oppression and inequities such as racism, sexism, classism, etc. are real, exist and need to be addressed.

Implementing practices and working conditions that achieve inclusion in the workforce and in the way the SCC serve the public.

Creating a place of belonging, inclusion, safety, and growth.

Using DEI data to inform and influence the SCC’s programs and services and learn the story that data is telling and operationalize inclusivity in decisions affecting policies and practices.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $133,961.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule
• Employee assistance program
• Dental insurance
• Parental leave
• Health savings account
• Vision insurance
• Health insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lacey, WA 98503