Director of Equity, Environmental Justice and Civil Rights, Exempt
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered.
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered.
Salary: $127,776.00 - $149,028.00 Annually
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $127,776.00 - $156,864.00 Annually

Responsibilities:

As the Director of the Office of Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights at DNR, you will manage a team of subject matter experts responsible for portfolios that ensure compliance with existing state and federal laws, design programs to create measurable benefit for residents of Washington state, work across the agency to reduce adverse impacts of our work on communities, and ensure the principles and practices of environmental justice are embedded in every program of DNR. 

This role is on the Executive Management team and serves as both a thought leader and collaborator to proactively align agency work products with maximum benefit to human health and DNR’s constitutionally mandated activities. The Director also serves as DNR’s representative on the WA State Environmental Justice Council and leads various internal committees, workgroups, and staff training.  

Additionally, you will support the implementation of the agency’s overall DEIB strategies in cross-division collaboration with the Workplace Culture and Development Division. In this role, you will manage the compilation and production of various reports and statutorily required updates related to Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights. 

You are responsible for recommending, elevating, and leading changes at the agency, state, and federal policy levels where DNR has authority and will serve as the executive responsible for documenting and assessing the impact of all environmental justice and equity actions taken by the agency.

You will lead the HEAL and Climate Commitment Act accounts for DNR, and will manage the agency’s compliance with the HEAL Act, leading the teams tasked with completing Environmental Justice assessments or significant agency actions.

You will work to protect the rights of the citizens of Washington to utilize our state lands without discrimination based on protected characteristics. The position will develop a protocol and identify responsible parties to receive complaints and investigate problems to mitigate risk and ensure the civil rights of the public are met.

Required Qualifications: 

• A bachelor's degree or higher in sociology, public policy, business administration, environmental science, cultural studies, or another field relevant to the position's responsibilities AND 6 years' experience;
  OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• Strategic planning experience, including development of annual and biannual plans with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and articulate future direction and measurable goals.
• Policy development or program implementation related to natural resources or the environment.
• Experience conducting public hearings, meetings, and Town Halls in diverse communities and regions.
• Experience working for an elected official or high-level executive.
• Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map, the EPA Environmental Justice Screening Tool, or other data-driven equity tools.
• Experience managing relationships with high-level, influential, elected, and appointed officials with a proven track record of consensus building, collaboration, and negotiations that reflect a strong understanding of legislative processes and intergovernmental relations.
• Experience working with the press and creating content for public audiences.
• Experience leading policy and system change or managing in a large agency or organization to advance equity initiatives.
• Strong history of engaging with disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized communities, to also include Tribal governments on natural resource management or environmental issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to cultivate an environment of engagement, belonging, respect, empathy, active listening, and trust.
• Demonstrated ability to create a workplace where differences are embraced; fosters a strong sense of team through diverse points of view and talents. and capabilities.