Full-Time Senior Director of Environmental Policy
Job Description
Washington Public Ports Association
Senior Director of Environmental Policy
Association Overview:
Washington State has seventy-five public port districts serving its citizens. These local government special purpose districts are located in every region of Washington State. They provide critical seaport, airport, marina, and economic development services to communities all over Washington, and serve as one of the most important tools for linking our people and our products to the world. Port districts build infrastructure, create jobs and maintain local control of waterfronts, airports and many other important facilities.
These port districts are represented by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), an established Olympia-based local government association. The WPPA serves as an advocate and liaison for port districts to the state legislature, to state executive agencies and to the governor’s office. The WPPA also provides a educational and support services for its members, providing materials, seminars and conferences that keep port officials and staff up-to-date with evolving public policy issues.
Job Summary:
The role of the Senior Director Environmental Policy is to be the knowledge expert on environmental issues and regulations and to share and apply that knowledge in ways that best benefit the association and member ports.
Essential Functions:
• Is the association’s primary policy lead on environmental issues with state and federal agencies.
• Is the association’s primary legislative lead on environmental and land-use issues. Develops and implements legislative strategies pertaining to these issues in consultation with members.
• Serves as a resource to association staff and member ports. Influences appropriate agencies and leaders to achieve strategic and practical environmental goals and best practices.
• Develops relationships with appropriate Associate Members to enlist their knowledge and skills when needed.
• Develops coalitions with allied organizations and implements cooperative activities in support of the association’s goals and programs.
• Organizes, leads, and staffs the annual WPPA environmental seminar.
• Serves as primary staff for the WPPA environmental committees.
• Supports Executive Director to plan and manage association meetings and seminars.
• Expected to possess a sophisticated understanding of how things get done, and to meet exceptionally high-performance expectations on all job assignments.
Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• This position must have a high level of knowledge of environmental issues.
• This position must have a high level of understanding of Port operations and their environmental issues.
• This position must have a high level of project management skills and relationships to work with state and federal permitting agencies.
• This position must have a high level of knowledge of advocacy with the Washington State Legislature.
• Must be able to present information and respond to complex questions from WPPA staff and Port members as well as outside organizations.
• Must possess excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, providing leadership and management to diverse audiences.
• Must be able to examine information or a situation in detail in order to identify key or important elements, their strengths and weaknesses and use these to make recommendations or solve a problem.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Applications.
Supervisory:
All association staff report directly to the Executive Director. Functionally, however, they may take or give direction from co-workers on projects assigned by the Executive Director.
Work Environment:
This position primarily works in an office environment to meet business and operational needs. May travel to ports and to and from different legislative offices.
Because of WPPA’s mission and role in government affairs, it is essential that WPPA employees understand the sensitive nature of their employment and conduct themselves accordingly. All employees must not engage in any activity which could be characterized as lobbying unless it is part of their duties as an employee of WPPA.
Expected Hours of Work:
The Senior Director Environmental Policy is recognized as a unique and highly valued asset to the WPPA. Accordingly, regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while the Washington State Legislature is in session, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the remainder of the year. These hours are flexible and may be adjusted as needed. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Excellence in meeting organizational goals is valued above strict adherence to attendance criteria.
Travel:
This position will require travel. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel will be expected.
Required Education and Experience:
• Completion of related Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five to seven years of environmental policy experience. Some of this experience can be offset by job experience at a regulated entity.
Preferred Education and Experience:
• A Master’s degree in a related field.
• Four or more years of port/public sector and legislative relations experience.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities and activities to this job at any time with or without notice.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary range is $10,000 – $11,900 per month, DOQ. This position includes a full benefit package including medical and dental insurance, retirement contribution, paid vacation, and medical leave time.
Opening and Closing Dates:
Position is open until January 13, 2023.
Applications:
Please send a resumé, along with a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications to:
[email protected]
Washington Public Ports Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
How to Apply
- Please send a resumé, along with a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications to: [email protected]
- Washington Public Ports Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.