Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator

Salary : $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annually

Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number: 2024-SCC-008

Department: Conservation Commission

Opening Date: 09/25/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator

(WMS BAND 2)

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM HYBRID

Note: The Hiring Team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience. The first review of applicants will begin on 10/9/2024

Who We Are:
The 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 programs that empower people across Washington to take actions that keep natural resources and working lands healthy for all.

What You Will Be Doing:
Under the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator (VSP) will oversee the implementation, management, and policy development of the program, along with budget oversight and supervision of the VSP Specialist. Key responsibilities include collaborating with 27 VSP county governments (and any future opt-in counties), county VSP work groups, conservation districts, state and federal natural resource agencies, environmental organizations, and tribes. This role involves navigating complex and politically sensitive issues, requiring coordination with the VSP Technical Panel, Statewide Advisory Committee, and other policy advisory groups. Building and maintaining strong relationships with partners and stakeholders is essential for program success. Additionally, the position entails communication with agencies focused on agricultural viability, conservation practices, and community engagement.

This position ensures that the expenditure of public funds through the program aligns with SCC policies, procedures, and state statutes. Position responsibilities include budgeting and funding administration (currently $14 million), budget development and tracking, project funding reviews and awards, and oversight of VSP monitoring and accountability processes. The role also involves crafting decision packages for the Legislature and providing reports to the SCC's governing body, legislative committees, partner organizations, and other stakeholders as needed. The position is accountable for VSP, facilitating adaptive management that may include revising program guidelines, adjusting reporting processes, and improving delivery systems to achieve program goals and increase efficiency.
Duties

Some of the Duties Include:
•  Ensure that VSP statutory obligations are met as defined in RCW36.70A.
•  Oversee the statewide implementation of the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP).
•  Provide direction and resources to county government, workgroups, conservation districts, technical service providers, and SCC staff.
•  Organize and lead recurring and ad hoc meetings for the Technical Panel and Statewide Advisory Committee.
•  Develop and manage the program budget, including cost-share funding reviews and awards, as well as the biennial work plan.
•  Establish, implement, and monitor the county work plan assessment process and procedures.
•  Create and oversee a five-year reporting process, including procedures and reporting templates.
•  Administer cost-share project funding; oversee grant criteria, committee processes, and rankings; coordinate closely with SCC fiscal staff in financial awards and contract management.
•  Track data and metrics to demonstrate funding effectiveness.
•  Develop and refine strategies, program guidelines, and policies; identify budget needs.
•  Support the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs on emerging policy issues related to VSP, including research and recommendations for senior management.
•  Draft policy advisories and program guidelines for VSP as needed.
•  Represent the SCC to various stakeholders, including tribes, state, local, and federal agencies, as directed by the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs.
•  Collaborate with various groups statewide; present the program at public venues and meetings; plan and facilitate intra- and inter-agency program meetings.
•  Supervise and provide oversight to VSP staff (currently one FTE), manage staffing needs, develop position descriptions, and oversee hiring process as needed. Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
•  Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis or closely related field; AND
•  Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, agriculture, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
•   Note : Nine (9) years of combined equivalent education and/or experience may substitute the above requirements. Competencies:
•  Knowledge of planning principles, techniques, current trends, environmental laws, and governmental administrative structures at local and state levels.
•  Understanding of incentive programs for agriculture landowners and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
•  Experience with watershed scale planning.
•  Ability to communicate effectively with elected, state, and federal officials.
•  Experience collaborating with marginalized communities, tribal communities, and vulnerable populations.
•  Advanced-level proficiency in project management software, MS Office Suite, contract management databases, cloud-based productivity tools. The successful candidate must have/is:
•  Knowledge and experience in agriculture in the western United States.
•  Experience working effectively with Tribes.
•  Experience in managing and/or developing grant programs.
•  Working knowledge of the Shoreline Management Act and salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
•  Skills in collaborative decision-making models.
•  Familiarity with agricultural activities and approaches to agricultural viability in Washington.
•  Understanding knowledge of the Growth Management Act (GMA).
•  Experience working with county governments, land use planners, and conservation districts.
•  Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas to individuals and groups through a variety of communications modes, including formal presentations and informal discussions.
•  Proficiency in composing technically complex directives, administrative policies and procedures, contracts/interagency agreements, and other business communications or documents with excellent attention to detail.
•  Ability to set challenging yet achievable goals, follow-through on commitments, and approach challenging tasks and obstacles with a "can-do" attitude.
•  Integrity, ownership of work, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
•  Focus under pressure, with ability to perform duties with minimal supervision and effectively manages time to achieve priorities.
•  Motivates and encourages project team members to persevere through change and adversity, skillfully negotiates competing needs and priorities, and facilitates consensus-based decision-making when appropriate.
•  Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across the division and agency, seeks to understand others' roles and perspectives, and navigates organizational structure with diplomacy and goodwill.
•  Builds and maintains constructive relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, respect, cooperation, and mutual regard. Adjusts work effectively with people of widely differing temperaments, cultural background, work styles, and preferences.
•  Provides excellent customer service, using a team approach where appropriate.
•  Proactive in keeping supervisors and colleagues informed, sharing accurate information as needed.
•  Earns and maintains the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism.
•  Accepts personal accountability for work quality and timeliness, focusing on self-improvement and resilience.
•  Displays a high level of dedication and enthusiasm, while practicing anticipating and communicating the need for change. Preferred Qualifications:
•  A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis or closely related field; AND
•  Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, agriculture, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
•  Familiarity with Washington law regarding purchasing, bidding, and contracting. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following DEI competencies : . click apply for full job details