Science & Evaluation Director (EMS BAND 3)

State of Washington Puget Sound Partnership; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ORCA transit card for Puget Sound

Amazon $200 home-office allowance

Annual professional development budget

Job summary

State of Washington Puget Sound Partnership seeks a Science and Evaluation Director to set the strategic direction for ecosystem monitoring, research, and evaluation across multiple knowledge systems. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and shape science-informed policies and investments for Puget Sound recovery.

The role requires in-person work at a WA location with some telework and travel within the Puget Sound region.

Qualifications

• Directed program management, budget development, and work planning to optimize fund utilization.
• Led investigations and QA/QC protocols to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Managed adaptive ecosystem recovery efforts to deliver measurable ecological improvements.
• Facilitated multi-party collaborations across federal, state, Tribal, business, and NGO partners.
• Supervised staff and translated complex science for diverse audiences.
• Professional residency in Washington state and ability to perform in-person work.

Responsibilities

• Determine, prioritize, and oversee research, monitoring, and evaluation activities to track ecosystem recovery progress.
• Develop and manage work plans, budgets, contracts, grants, and inter-agency agreements.
• Direct the Strategic Science Plan and Science Work Plan, aligning priorities with policy documents.
• Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into science directions.
• Coordinate the Science Panel and oversee monitoring programs and strategic 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 the Leadership Team to align program goals with agency strategy.

Skills

Program management

Budget planning

Scientific analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

People leadership

Inclusive leadership

Indigenous Knowledge

Natural & social sciences

Scientific reporting

Strategic planning

Program evaluation

Contract management

Public speaking

Education

MS or PhD in a relevant discipline

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.

Veteran Preference

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

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].