Overall Description

This position is an exciting opportunity to lead the dynamic and growing People For Puget Sound Program at Washington Environmental Council (WEC). Our People For Puget Sound Program works to protect and restore the Sound to health. To do that, we’re focused on improving water quality; ensuring habitat is healthy enough to recover Puget Sound species; and engaging citizens, stakeholders and decision makers as effective advocates for the Sound.

The Program Director is responsible for leading campaign development and implementation, policy formulation, and advocacy so that we achieve the program’s goals. This position reports to WEC’s Executive Director and manages a team of three plus full time staff members and two consultants. The position is based in Seattle.

We have set ambitious long-term goals for the People For Puget Sound Program to ensure the health of Puget Sound for Washington’s families now and in the future.  We are looking for a person with strong leadership and campaign management skills as we take our Puget Sound Program to the next level.  

Who We Are

Washington Environmental Council drives positive change to solve our state's critical environmental challenges. For more than 45 years, WEC has been pivotal to securing our most important environmental protections. From the State Environmental Policy Act to free electronic waste recycling, to finding solutions that reduce our climate emissions and build our clean energy economy, to advancing solutions to protect and restore Puget Sound, WEC works to make Washington a great place to live and to build a healthy future for our state.

WEC builds bridges between the business and environmental communities, ensures our lawmakers in Olympia know that environmental issues matter to Washingtonians, and tackles issues that have a lasting, positive impact on the health and safety of our people, our natural resources, and our economic future.  Our collaborative leadership approach and forward thinking reforms have created models for change used around the nation, such as the Environmental Priorities Coalition and our Voter Education Program.

Responsibilities

 Program Design and Coordination:

• Work with staff and board to research, identify, and select smart campaigns and legislative priorities to further WEC’s long-term Puget Sound goals.
• Implement and further develop multi-year program plan with input from staff, board members, and partners.
• Identify and leverage emerging program and campaign opportunities.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships within and beyond the environmental community that further program goals.
• Work with other WEC policy staff to align and maximize the connections between WEC’s Puget Sound protection efforts and WEC’s Climate and Clean Energy and Evergreen Forest Agendas.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of program and revise strategy and implementation as needed.

Staff management:

• Provide supervision, direction, and mentorship to People For Puget Sound Program staff, including Puget Sound Advocacy Manager, Aquatic Reserves Project Coordinator, and Puget Sound Policy Specialist.
• Provide management of People For Puget Sound Program contractors, including Legislative Consultant and Science and Technical Consultant. 

Policy Development:

• Lead on strategy development, policy development and analysis, advocacy with decision-makers, coalition building, and oversight of WEC’s participation in litigation. Manage policy direction of program with input from staff, board members, and strategic partners.
• Communicate WEC’s policy positions in administrative, legislative, and other decision-making bodies.

Outreach, Communications & Fundraising:

• Serve as the WEC spokesperson for Puget Sound related issues to the media.
• Work with communications staff to develop opinion pieces, newsletter, e-news and website materials, and other communications pieces as needed.
• Collaborate with organizing staff to generate action alerts, presentations and other outreach collateral.
• Collaborate with the development team on the production of grant proposals and reports and fundraising appeals; participate in donor and foundation meetings, assist with fundraising events as needed.
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with partner organizations.
• Look for and pursue opportunities to promote the program with key audiences, partners, or potential supporters. 

Qualifications

Experience:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated success in leading policy advocacy or political campaigns.
• Solid understanding of environmental law and policy.
• Experience with Puget Sound policy advocacy or related experience. 

Skills and Knowledge

• Desire and demonstrated ability to provide visible leadership for a growing program that addresses a timely environmental and economic challenge.
• Demonstrated staff management ability.
• Ability to lead a coalition of multiple interests in pursuit of a complex set of goals.
• Flexible, creative and able to work in a changing and unpredictable policy environment.
• Strong writing, verbal, and analytic skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good at navigating complex working environments and building relationships with integrity.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and with a team, in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Washington Environmental Council.

Compensation

Salary negotiable based on the successful applicant’s skills and experience. We offer a generous benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement savings plan and flexible spending account, paid vacation and sick leave, and a transit pass.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to jobs@wecprotects.org. Please include "Puget Sound Program Director" in the subject line. We will be reviewing applications as they are received, so early application is encouraged; the position will close when we find the right applicant. No phone calls or mailed applications please. 

Washington Environmental Council is committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.