Science & Evaluation Director (EMS BAND 3)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

An ORCA card for public transit

Tax-free hiring incentive with a $2000

Annual professional development budget

Job summary

Puget Sound Partnership seeks a Science and Evaluation Director to set strategic direction for ecosystem monitoring, research, and evaluation across a multidisciplinary program. You will lead a team to advance science-informed policies and investments for Puget Sound recovery and equity in outcomes.

You will report on-site regularly in the Puget Sound region, collaborate with partners, and oversee plans, budgets, and agreements while integrating Indigenous Knowledge and community science into

Qualifications

• Residency in Washington at start and ability to work in Puget Sound area in person.
• Directed program management, budgets, and adaptive frameworks to optimize resources.
• Led investigations, QA/QC to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize and oversee research, monitoring, and evaluation to track ecosystem recovery and close knowledge gaps.
• Develop and manage Science and Evaluation program work plans, budgets, contracts, grants, and inter-agency agreements.
• Direct the Strategic Science Plan and align priorities with the Action Agenda and Salmon Recovery Plan.
• Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into strategic science directions.
• Coordinate with the Science Panel on monitoring programs and planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to assess ecosystem health and management outcomes.
• Build partnerships with scientists and managers across agencies and forums.
• Provide supervision, mentoring, and performance expectations to staff.
• Serve on Leadership Team to align program operations with agency goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Public speaking

Diverse engagement

Education

MS or PhD in a relevant field

Job description

Science and Evaluation Director (EMS BAND 3)

Full-Time | Exempt | Monday - Friday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM

The full position salary range is $124,092 - $149,724; however, the annual starting/hiring salary range for the candidate selected for hire will be between $124,092 - $136,908 depending upon qualifications.

The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. This position is required to report weekly on-site for in-office work and possibly meetings with partners at project locations around the Puget Sound Region. This position will not be eligible for out-of-state telework. The default assigned work location of all Partnership positions – both on-site and telework – is within the State of Washington. Employees have a choice for their onsite work between our Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle locations. Travel requirements are limited. If you currently live outside of Washington state, newly hired employees must relocate to Washington state within 30 days of starting employment, and report to the Olympia office headquarters in person on the first day of employment.

Who We Are

Here at the Puget Sound Partnership, we are driven by our mission to collectively protect and recover the Puget Sound ecosystem. We work with partners across Tribes, state and federal government, nonprofits, academia, businesses, and local communities to turn shared vision into meaningful action. Our work is grounded in collaboration and driven by science with a strong focus on equity and belonging. The Partnership is a non-regulatory state agency under Governor Ferguson's Office focused on accelerating ecosystem recovery to achieve more vibrant habitats, water quality, food webs, and healthy human populations in Puget Sound. We are proud to offer a suite of "Employer of Choice" initiatives and benefits in addition to state government’s full compensation and benefits. Our internal employee benefits include:

• An agency-paid ORCA card for public transit use in the Puget Sound region.
• A tax-free hiring incentive that includes a one-time $200 Amazon allowance for ordering at-home office equipment or preferred supplies to support the telework experience.
• An annual professional development allowance for gaining skills that advance the employee’s career in their current field of work

To learn more about all the benefits PSP has to offer, explore our website.

About this Opportunity

Are you a collaborative leader passionate about protecting and restoring Puget Sound, with a strong focus on science? If so, you may be the next Science and Evaluation Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. As our Science and Evaluation Director, you will set the strategic direction for a multidisciplinary program spanning ecosystem monitoring, research, evaluation, social science, salmon recovery, and adaptive management. The Director determines the research, monitoring, and evaluation activities required to measure progress towards ecosystem recovery goals. You will lead a committed team and help shape the future of science-informed policies, investments, and partnerships that drive real progress for Puget Sound recovery.

We’re looking for someone who understands this is a pivotal time for Puget Sound – we have established science-based indicators and a network of dedicated scientists and implementers actively managing toward a healthy Puget Sound for future generations. Protecting Puget Sound isn’t just about clean water and healthy habitat – it's about the people, cultures, and ways of life connected to this place. At the Partnership, we take an expansive view of science, encompassing Traditional Ecological Knowledge, social science, community science, and knowledge gained through lived experience. The Director will lead a program that brings together multiple knowledge systems and perspectives to inform the work and generate durable environmental solutions.

We value a diversity of perspectives and experiences. What matters most is that you bring integrity, humility, strategic thinking, and a heart for this work.

The default assigned work location of all Partnership positions – both on-site and telework – is within the State of Washington. Employees have a choice for their onsite work between our Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle locations. However, you may be required to work at a specific location occasionally based on business needs. Employees must be able and prepared to report to any of the three locations as requested by agency Leadership. If you currently live outside of Washington state, newly hired employees must relocate to Washington state within 30 days of starting employment, and report to the Olympia office headquarters in person on the first day of employment.

For more information about PSP, resources, and benefits, visit our website: www.psp.wa.gov.

To learn more details of this role, email [e-mail] and request the full job description.

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Determine, prioritize, and oversee research, monitoring, and evaluation activities to track ecosystem recovery progress and address critical knowledge gaps that inform policy and decision-making.
• Develop and manage Science and Evaluation Program work plans, budgets, contracts, grants, and inter-agency agreements to ensure efficient resource allocation and program accountability.
• Direct the Strategic Science Plan and Science Work Plan, aligning research priorities and funding with the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plan, and Puget Sound Implementation Plan.
• Respect, identify, and integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into strategic science directions and recovery initiatives.
• Coordinate and assist the Puget Sound Partnership’s Science Panel in fulfilling its duties, including oversight of monitoring programs and strategic science planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to maintain systems for assessing ecosystem health and evaluating management outcomes.
• Convene and build strong collaborative partnerships with scientists and managers across local, state, federal, and Tribal agencies, representing the Partnership at diverse regional, national, and international forums.
• Provide comprehensive supervision, mentoring, and clear performance expectations to direct reports while upholding human resources policies and fostering professional growth and staff accountability.
• Serve on the Leadership Team to align program operations with agency-wide strategic goals, promote a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and make data-driven decisions based on Tribal and partner feedback.

Required Qualifications:

• Primary residency in Washington state upon the start of employment, and the ability to conduct in-person work in the Puget Sound area for a set of regular and frequent hours determined by the agency.
• Professional experience, lived experience, or education that demonstrates multi-year, sustained success with the following:
  • Directed program management, budget development, and work planning to optimize fund utilization, generate cost savings, and establish structured, adaptive frameworks.
  • Led scientific investigations, analyses, and quality assurance/quality control protocols to maintain research integrity, publish findings, and facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
  • Managed adaptive ecosystem recovery efforts to deliver measurable ecological improvements and build resilient, long-term conservation outcomes.
  • Facilitated multi-party collaborations across federal, state, Tribal, business, and NGO partners to eliminate implementation barriers, build trust, and drive high-impact outcomes.
  • Supervised staff and translated complex science for diverse audiences to boost team performance, improve public engagement, and inform policy and industry decisions.

In addition to the above required qualifications, a candidate must possess the following skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Inclusive leadership approach grounded in self-awareness, active reflection on personal bias, and a commitment to honoring diverse perspectives and identities.
• Applied expertise in natural and social sciences, Indigenous Knowledge, and adaptive management frameworks to convert ecosystem recovery research into tangible conservation actions.
• Advanced skill in conducting scientific analyses, syntheses, and report writing, as well as evaluating ecosystem conditions and the effectiveness of management interventions.
• Proficient in strategic planning, program and project evaluation, contract management, and implementing best practices for soliciting and funding research across diverse partner organizations.
• Highly effective public speaker capable of translating complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences to foster transparency and engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Competency in written and oral communication related to ecosystems, ecosystem recovery and protection, and the role of science in ecosystem management.
• Comparable lived experience, M.S, or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience with State of Washington procurement and contracting practices.
• Working knowledge of Puget Sound ecosystems (marine/nearshore, freshwater, and terrestrial)communities.

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Please do not say “refer to resume for detail” in your question responses, or your application may be disqualified.

OTHER INFORMATION This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Puget Sound Partnership celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, or need this job announcement in any other format, contact [e-mail].