Salmon Recovery Grants Section Manager (WMS3)

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Salmon Recovery Grants Section Manager (WMS3)

Salary

$100,000.00 - $117,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County – Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2024-RCO-011

Department

Recreation and Conservation Office

Opening Date

01/06/2025

Closing Date

2/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description



Salmon Recovery Grants Section Manager
(WMS Band 3)
Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM | FLEXIBLE/HYBRID

NOTE:
The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. Additionally, this position will operate in a hybrid work setting, with the requirement to come into the office as needed.

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency located in Olympia, Washington that plans for and provides funding to: create and maintain opportunities for recreation; protect the best of the state's wild lands, farms, and forests; and recover salmon.

RCO strives to maintain a workplace that is respectful, inclusive and family-friendly where all team members feel safe to bring their true selves to work. We believe in a culture where everyone continually improves and has the opportunity to lead.

At RCO We Envision:
A state that has abundant outdoor recreation spaces, healthy habitats, and working farms and forests that support people, fish, and wildlife.

About the Opportunity:
As the Salmon Recovery Grants Section Manager, you will report to the agency deputy director and play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission and goals. You will supervise staff and oversee the operations of agency grant programs. This position ensures that RCWs, WACs, and policies are applied accurately, and that the agency's strategic direction is appropriately implemented. In this role, you will set priorities and guide section staff to meet agency goals while working collaboratively with other agency managers, partners and interested public to ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of grant program policies and procedures.


Key Outcomes:

  • Develop well-trained direct reports and section staff that feel they belong and are cared for, happy and productive.
  • Accurately manage the distribution of up to $500 million in state and federal grant funds.
  • Successfully implement grant projects fulfilling sponsor or program goals and objectives statewide. 
  • Ensure consistent application of RCWs, WACs, federal regulations, and agency policies across grant program.
  • Provide timely and accurate reports to executive management, funding boards, and partner agencies on project outcomes and metrics.
  • Resolve complex project issues involving executive management, funding boards, or the Attorney General’s Office.

Duties

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

  • Direct and supervise 5-7 team members, with responsibility for an additional 10-15 staff within the section. This includes recruiting, hiring, supervising, training, evaluating, and disciplining reporting staff and ensuring supervisors under your leadership effectively perform these tasks.
  • Foster a learning environment, while holding staff accountable to performance standards.
  • Thinking ‘big picture’ to envision how RCO grant programs fit into the overall statewide salmon recovery landscape.
  • Promote a leadership culture throughout the agency by supporting staff in becoming their best selves and working efficiently. 
  • Lead and oversee the implementation of statewide grant programs across your section and throughout the agency.
  • Collaborate with peers, supervisors, other agency managers, executive management, and agency funding boards to implement statewide programs.
  • Make project-level and programmatic decisions as delegated by the Agency Director, including signing agreements and amendments.
  • Lead and participate in various internal and program improvement projects that have agency-wide and statewide impact.
  • Consult with the Deputy Director or executive management on potentially controversial issues or those that could set a precedent.
  • Ensure thoughtful and consistent application of agency and board policies.
  • Cultivate partnerships and cooperative relationships with partners, clients, and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, fish or wildlife management, watershed planning, geography, land use planning, biology, forestry, natural resources management, environmental studies, or a related field; AND
  • Four (4) years of experience working in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, fish or wildlife management, watershed planning, engineering, geography, land use planning, forestry, natural resource management, environmental studies or related field;

AND

  • Three (3) years of experience supervising, and/or coaching and leading staff or two (2) years of experience as an Assistant Section Lead or equivalent.
  • Note: Four (4) years of experience and three (3) years of supervisory responsibility may run concurrently. Relevant experience will substitute year-for-year for education.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license to travel for state business.

AND

  • Experience in implementing agency/business vision and goals.
  • Advanced knowledge of management and leadership principles.
  • Experience supervising, recruiting, managing, training, and evaluating staff. The ability to manage and direct the work of staff to be in alignment with agency goals, priorities and performance expectations.
  • Experience in developing and maintaining a highly functioning team in which most members work remotely outside of the agency headquarters.
  • Self-awareness regarding the impact of actions and decisions on others.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective meeting management skills.
  • Demonstrated collaboration with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Competence in resolving complex, agency-wide issues.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience and exposure to concepts, language, behaviors, and biases around diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and environmental justice, with preference for this experience in the natural resources or recreation arena.
  • Experience with grants or grant programs.
  • Understanding of tribes, tribal treaties, and recent tribal history in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Knowledge of conservation and outdoor recreation issues, including relevant Washington State and federal rules and laws.
  • Background in project management.
  • Knowledge of contract development, management, and experience in project compliance.
  • Ability to manage a large workload with minimal oversight.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Things To Consider Before Applying:
*This position is located at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia WA and is eligible for telework or a flexible schedule, with the expectation that the incumbent will come to the office as needed. RCO may hire only those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply: 
Interested? We would 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.

In addition to completing the online application, 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 interest (no more than 2 pages in length) explaining how your past experiences make you an ideal candidate for this position and what exceptional skills you would bring to RCO;
  • A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
  • A list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. 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 of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:
The Recreation and Conservation Office 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.

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 Us:
If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Leslie Frank at Leslie.Frank@rco.wa.gov

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson by email at jobs@des.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

01
Are you currently employed by the Recreation and Conservation Office?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you have a valid driver's license free from serious traffic violations?
  • Yes
  • No
03
What is your level of education?
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Some or no college
  • 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits)
  • Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
  • 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits)
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, fish or wildlife management, watershed planning, geography, land use planning, biology, forestry, natural resources management, environmental studies, or a related field
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in an unrelated field
04
What was the major or focus of your degree? If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A."
05
How many years of experience do you have working in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, fish or wildlife management, watershed planning, engineering, geography, land use planning, forestry, natural resource management, environmental studies, or a related field?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 or more years
  • 2 or more years
  • 3 or more years
  • 4 or more years
  • 5 or more years
  • 6 or more years
  • 7 or more years
  • 8 or more years
  • I don't have this experience.
06
If you indicated having professional experience in the previous question, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A."
07
How many years of experience do you have supervising, coaching, or leading staff?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 or more years
  • 2 or more years
  • 3 or more years
  • 4 or more years
  • 5 or more years
  • 6 or more years
  • 7 or more years
  • 8 or more years
  • I don't have this experience.
08
In no more than two sentences, please describe your leadership philosophy.
09
To demonstrate your skills and experience, please select ALL that apply to you:
  • Experience implementing an agency/business vision and goals.
  • Advanced knowledge of management and leadership principles.
  • Experience in supervising, recruiting, managing, training and evaluating staff to align with agency goals and performance expectations.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a highly functioning remote team.
  • Self-awareness regarding the impact of your actions and decisions on others.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating with staff, partners, and stakeholders to achieve goals.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to resolve complex problems with agency-wide implications.
  • None of these apply.
10
How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Careers.wa.gov
  • Governmentjobs.com
  • Friend
  • Indeed
  • Job Board
  • LinkedIn
  • Other
11
We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "N/A".

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