Director of Programs

People For Puget Sound, a respected and successful non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits, seeks a Director of Programs to manage our policy, legislative, and grassroots organizing programs.

This position serves on the executive management team and is primarily responsible for leadership of the organization’s policy, advocacy, legislative and field programs. The incumbent supervises 4 full-time staff and is responsible for strategic direction, performance management, work plans and budgets. The Director of Programs serves as the organization’s senior policy advisor and represents People For Puget Sound with elected officials, on interagency work groups, boards, commissions, and in testimony before the legislature and other governmental bodies. This is a full time exempt position with above average benefits. Duties include:

Program Development and Implementation

• Manage and oversee Puget Sound water quality, toxics, and habitat protection and restoration policy programs, including:

Legislative and agency regulatory affairs
Issue campaigns
Stormwater pollution prevention
Oil spill prevention
Toxic pollution prevention
Shoreline protection
Aquatic reserves development and protection
Grassroots organizing

• Lead a program to develop the strategies and advocate the policies and funding that will achieve a healthy Puget Sound, including leading the Puget Sound Environmental Caucus, a coalition of more than 40 organizations

• Develop and maintain relationships with partners, funders, agencies and decision-makers relevant to programs and policy objectives

• With the Science Director, staff the Policy and Science Committee of the organization’s Board of Directors

• Identify and respond to emerging issues and unexpected events that relate to Puget Sound or opportunities to advance the organization’s mission

• Participate in national conservation coalitions and work with Members of Congress on Puget Sound issues

• Develop relationships with members of the media and seek media coverage of Puget Sound issues, as appropriate

Management and Administration

• Lead the policy and programs team, supervising the following programs and staff: water quality, habitat protection and restoration policy, species recovery, policy advocacy, and field organizing

• Carry out all responsibilities of staff management, including working with the executive management team on the strategic plan, 3-5 year goals, and annual work plans; day-to-day staff guidance and supervision; quarterly performance reviews; and annual performance evaluations

• Work with the Executive Director and other senior managers to achieve the effective alignment and integration of programs in support of the organization’s mission

• Foster an energetic, dedicated, positive, and team-spirited organization, approaching work with a problem-solving attitude

Representation of People For Puget Sound

• Contribute to the visibility and credibility of People For Puget Sound, building and maintaining relationships with constituents, funders, members, partner organizations, businesses, and government officials, including agency directors, elected leaders and others

• By example and through training, develop all staff as effective ambassadors for People For Puget Sound

Qualifications

The most successful candidate will have:
• At least an undergraduate 4-year degree in resource policy, science, or management; environmental conservation; or related field
• Demonstrated expertise in Puget Sound policy, political, legal, and scientific issues, or comparable expertise in marine and estuarine conservation elsewhere in the country
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience, preferably in a non-governmental organization
• Excellent oral, written, listening, and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining attention to details and deadlines
• Ability to think on one’s feet, react creatively, exercise good judgment, identify emerging issues, and resolve disputes
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading teams, working groups, and committees
• Demonstrated ability to understand and manage in an environment with complex policy, legal, political, and scientific issues
• Experience operating in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented and mission-driven work environment and in managing stress appropriately
• Possess a positive, problem-solving, can-do spirit, a deep commitment to environmental protection, and a vibrant sense of humor

To apply: Email a cover letter and resume to hr@pugetsound.org.

Deadline for application: July 20, 2009. Hard copy applications not accepted.

For more information on People For Puget Sound see www.pugetsound.org

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