Strategic Science & Evaluation Director

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

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.