Apply early!   This recruitment will remain Open Continuous.  Applicant review begins June 22, 2021.  The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or to close this recruitment at any time.  

 Environmental Justice Council Manager (WMS Band 2)

Office of Environmental Health Sciences

Tumwater, WA

DOH5606

Our ideal candidate is a team player, has a driving passion for equity and social justice, a commitment to collaboration across the agency with external partners, and holds themselves accountable to the community. They are a holistic thinker and can see both the big picture and the detail level, moving comfortably between larger policy and systems issues to the details that drive inequities at a micro-level. 

Our ideal candidate sees the needs of others, values difference in perspective, and  

 adapts their approach and expectations accordingly. They are responsive to the experiences of others and are committed to ongoing learning/unlearning and self-growth.

Our ideal candidate strives for humility and partnership, even when confronted with others that are not open or collaborative. They are nimble and adaptive when faced with resistance, demonstrate resilience, and can have courageous conversations when needed.

The Environmental Justice Council Manager manages the Environmental Justice Council (EJC). This position administers, manages, and controls all aspects of the Council’s operations and, as such, is accountable for ensuring the Council’s statutory responsibilities and reporting requirements to the Governor and legislature are met. The EJC Manager serves as the technical and strategic advisor to the Council co-chairs, its members, and its advisory committees. In addition, this position manages the interagency workgroup.

The EJC Manager builds, motivates, and coaches teams and must have an equity and inclusion skillset that will help the agency implement its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion transformation. This position is responsible for budget allocations, ensuring performance expectations and measures are met, and continually evaluates results to improve performance.  

The Environmental Justice Council was established in SB 5141 during the 2021 legislative session. The goal of this council is to reduce environmental and health disparities and improve the health of all people in Washington state by implementing the recommendations of the environmental justice task force. The Council consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor—including two co-chairs elected by the Council, seven community representatives including one youth representative, four representatives of tribal communities, two representatives that are environmental justice practitioners, one business representative, and one union member or officer representative from the building and construction trades, and one member at large. The interagency workgroup includes Ecology, Health, Natural Resources, Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation, Puget Sound Partnership, and any other agency that opts into implementation.

When our Environmental Justice Council (EJC) Manager approaches any area of work, they think:

• Who is most impacted by this?
• How have we engaged them in our work and who is engaging with them?
• How can we do a better job engaging them in our process?
• What are the barriers they face and what can we do to address those barriers?
• What does success look like to them?
• What are the systems we need to put in place to ensure we always center on people who are most impacted?

When we talk with our EJC Manager about their values, they’ll see themselves in words like Human-Centered, Partnership, Equity, and Excellence. They’ll also see in these words a challenge to improve—personally and organizationally—in pursuit of a better impact on people and better business outcomes.

When we ask others about them, they’ll describe a person of remarkable capability, diligence, and focus. They’ll tell us about someone who:

• Sees and understands the objectives and challenges of people they work with as well as their impact on those people.
• Adjusts what they’re doing based on what they learn.
• Holds themselves accountable for helping those around them succeed, as well as achieving their own business results.

It takes personal courage, tenacity, and humility to achieve big things in this way. Our ideal candidate probably wonders whether they’re up to this challenge. But they want to take it on because they’re hungry for personal growth and hungry to help build this kind of business, team, and workplace culture at the Department of Health.

Currently, this position may be located anywhere within the State of Washington. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected. When approved to return, the incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance including telework and reporting to the Tumwater, Washington duty station for work activities, if needed. Additionally, it is expected the EJC Manager will travel to attend EJC meetings, interagency workgroups, and community or partner meetings once it is safe to do so.

Learn more about the Position – View the Complete Position Description

• Human-centered: We see others as people who matter like we do and take into account their needs, challenges, contributions, and objectives. 
• Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice to ensure access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all. 
• Collaboration: We seek partnership and collaboration to maximize our collective impact. We cannot achieve our vision alone. 
• Seven Generations: Inspired by Native American culture, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us. 
• Excellence: We strive to demonstrate best practices, high performance, and compelling value in our work every day.  

Preference may be given to candidates who have the following DESIRED education and/or experience: 

NOTE:  Experience may have been gained through formal professional employment, volunteer experience, lived experience, or a combination.  Applicants from historically marginalized groups and those who have language proficiency in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

AND

• Two (2) or more years of experience working with diverse communities.  
• Two (2) or more years of experience working on diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.
• Two (2) or more years of experience convening stakeholder groups and/or facilitating meetings. 
• Two (2) or more years of experience analyzing policy for public health impact or environmental impact, such as conducting health impact assessment/reviews. 
• Three (3) or more years of experience leading teams or successfully managing large, multifaceted projects, including at least two years of supervisory experience.

AND, demonstrated experience in the following: 

• Engaging in difficult conversations and/or leading training on topics that relate to diversity and inclusion, oppression, racism, and/or inequity.
• Systems thinking to address root causes of systemic inequities and social determinants of health.  
• Leadership and modeling beyond direct reports.
• Excellent organizational and communication (verbal, written, and interpersonal) skills.

As well as demonstrated experience in the following leadership competencies:

• Start with mindset – Turn your mindset outward by seeing the humanity in others.
• Be the change – Change your mindset regardless of whether others change theirs.
• Be fully capable – Own your work, plans, actions, and impact. Position others to own theirs.
• Build relationships – Eliminate the unnecessary distinctions that create distance between yourself and others.
• Rethink systems and processes to turn them outward – Create an environment that energizes people rather than manages objects.
• Measure results – Move yourself and your teams to achieve collective goals.

Compensation

This position reports to the Director of Environmental Public Health Sciences within the Division of Environmental Public Health.  Learn more about the Washington Management Service.   

The annual compensation is between $78,408 and $105,384, depending upon qualifications.  

Washington State offers a full benefits package including vacation and sick leave, family medical and dental coverage, life insurance, retirement, and a deferred compensation program.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer. DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. We prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.

If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Linda.Riggle@doh.wa.gov, (360) 236-4226, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 711 (Washington Relay). Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).

Application Process

Intrigued? Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:

1. A cover letter, describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
2. A current resume.
3. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile. Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.

Important Note: Do not attach documents that contain a photo or private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.) or documents that are password protected. These documents will not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and year of birth.

Live and Work in a Great State

Washington is America's Top State according to U.S. News (2021) and provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. 

Washington offers a total work/life package of pay, benefits, flexibility, and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and out of life. Washington State is a great place to work, play, and be a part of a community. Washington offers a quality of life that is unsurpassed. From the high-energy urban center of Seattle, one of the nation’s top-ranked cities, to the more relaxed pace of our rural communities, Washington’s distinctive Northwest lifestyle blends a progressive, creative culture with a casual nature. 

Olympia, the state’s capital, has a vibrant city with a small-town feel conveniently situated between Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains provide majestic scenery to the east while Washington’s Pacific Coast is just an hour’s drive to the west. Olympia enjoys the benefits of an engaged and educated community and a well-supported school system, with two universities and a community college within a ten-mile radius.  Learn more about Olympia and the Thurston County area.

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Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.