Salmon Recovery Grants Section Manager

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/: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 (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 . click apply for full job details