Deputy Director for Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights, Exempt

Description

Duties

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the agency’s primary representative on HEAL Act compliance and program development on the Interagency HEAL Act workgroups, supporting the OEEJCR Director in setting vision for departmental programming and compliance.
• Manage and implement the HEAL Act Strategic Implementation Plan.
• Serve as a point of contact for key collaborators and community partners, including environmental organizations, state trust beneficiaries including schools, fire districts, libraries, and other essential services, businesses that work on public lands, labor, and community organizations on OEEJCR issues and calculation of EJ benefits and harms.
• Gather, distill, and present collaborators feedback to the Commissioner of Public Lands and executive team.
• Identify audiences and outreach opportunities to increase awareness and impact of DNR's programs and services and build strategies to advance and sustain agency priorities through public comment and engagement.
• Serve as the primary owner of the agency’s Smart Comment Public Comment Platform and manage the agency-wide adoption of public comment tools designed to increase access and engagement.
• Ensure community partners, collaborators and other statutorily required parties are engaged in the creation, completion, and review of Environmental Justice Assessments.
• Manage the agency-wide process for identifying Significant Agency Actions, as defined in the HEAL Act and any associated activities related to that designation.
• Manage the agency-wide process for completing Environmental Justice Assessments.
• Work closely with the Legislative Director and the Tribal Liaison to design strategies to fully integrate input from Tribal interests, Overburdened Communities, and Vulnerable Populations as defined in statute to inform DNR work and assessments.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and the executive team to design key messages to be delivered for specific issues as they arise.
• Quickly assess potential gaps in agency compliance with HEAL, CCA, and civil rights requirements and propose actions that enhance benefits delivered to the public and maximum compliance with existing laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with the OEEJCR Director and Senior Leadership as a key member of DNR Leadership.
• Manage the work of the DNR Environmental Justice Community Advisory Board.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in political science, social work, public policy, environmental science or another field relevant to the position's responsibilities;
  OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• Cumulative experience as a coordinator or manager of external affairs and/or community outreach, preferably for a public agency, elected official, or company that generates significant public and media interest.
• Experience deploying Environmental Justice practices and program evaluation.
• Demonstrated success working across diverse organizations, in coalitions, and/or governments for collective success.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and with overburdened and vulnerable populations, and demonstrated working knowledge of, and cultural sensitivity to those populations.
• Demonstrated ability to build, track and maintain relationships with community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with external partners, analyze/interpret issues and/or concerns, and find solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to create and sustain effective relationships with community partners, foster and share leadership among individuals in the community, and build bridges among diverse community members and organizations.
• Experience managing outreach events, such as town halls.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to make complex information understandable to the general public using plain language.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Comfortable speaking in public and representing the agency at public events.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships; even in times of high pressure and conflict.
• Conversational proficiency in a language other than English is preferred.
• Knowledge of organizations - environmental, beneficiaries, business, etc. - that work with DNR.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

• This position mainly works at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia.
• Some travel required.

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers– you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

• 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 benefits 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.