Salary: $92,215.00 – $138,328.00 Annually
Location: Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Planning and Environmental Services
Job Number: PESRMGR22
Closing: 4/4/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more about this position and apply today at the Port of Olympia’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

The Community:

Headquartered in Olympia, Washington the Port of Olympia serves the Thurston County community in a variety of ways, leading and participating in many of the area’s economic development efforts. Olympia is the capital of the state of Washington, the county seat of Thurston County and is the southern gateway to Puget Sound’s metropolitan region. It is home to a wide variety of industries, including state government, health care, retail, military, education, construction, farming, fishing, and logging, and has an active arts community. With an economic engine fueled to a great extent by state government, as well as three higher education institutions, Olympia enjoys the benefits of a stable workforce, an engaged and educated community, and a well-supported school system. The region has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas. Majestic Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains are nearby to the east, while the Pacific Coast is just an hour drive to the west. Blessed with a year-round mild climate, outdoor activities can be enjoyed almost any day, and the nearby mountains offer many opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and mountain climbing. Located on Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound, the area offers significant opportunities for a diversity of water enthusiasts. Historic downtown Olympia offers a variety of eclectic shopping and dining experiences, while Olympia’s Westside is a regional shopping destination with numerous national brand stores and the auto mall.

The Organization:

Established in 1922, the Port of Olympia has a proud history in Thurston County. The Port serves the community by promoting trade, supporting family-wage jobs, and improving the environment. Today, more than 5,000 jobs and nearly $715.5 million in economic activity in Thurston County depend on the Port of Olympia.

The Port of Olympia is governed by three elected Commissioners who set policies and objectives. Each commissioner represents a district within Thurston County and serves a four-year term. The commissioners appoint the Port’s Executive Director, who is responsible for the ongoing management of the Port’s enterprises and facilities. The Port of Olympia operates with 49 FTEs utilizing 2022 budgeted operating revenues of $14,352,204 and a capital budget of $2,871,726. The Port’s departments and business units include Operations (Marine Terminal, Airport, Swantown Marina and Boatworks, and Unified Maintenance), Business Development and Real Estate, Executive Services (Communications, Marketing and Government Affairs, Planning and Environmental, and Administrative Services) and Finance. From the commercial center at NewMarket Industrial Campus and the diversified specialty Marine Terminal, to the vibrant Swantown Marina and Boatworks and the strategically located Olympia Regional Airport, the Port of Olympia is committed to fostering economic growth in the South Puget Sound region and serving the needs of global customers. The Port values its relationships with the community, customers, Squaxin Island Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Chehalis Tribe, municipal governments, Joint Base Lewis–McChord (JBLM), and many regional economic development partners.To learn more about the Port of Olympia, please visit www.portolympia.com.

The Department:

Operating with three FTEs including the Senior Manager position on a 2022 budget of $1,464,885, the Port of Olympia’s Planning and Environmental Programs support the overall organization in achieving its environmental stewardship goals and in planning for long term sustainability and resilience, consistent with the Port’s mission of providing economic benefits to the citizens of Thurston County. Environmental services are focused on four strategic areas that include regulatory permitting and compliance; environmental remediation and cleanups; sustainability; and restoration and public access. 

In addition to overseeing all environmental permitting and operational compliance activities, the Planning and Environmental programs ensure safe operation of the marine terminal stormwater treatment facility and the Cascade Pole water treatment facility. The Port is also actively involved in environmental cleanup projects that are, or have been, funded through the Washington Department of Ecology’s Remedial Action Grant program. 

The Port has its own internal planning initiatives, including a Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements, as required by state law. Additionally, in 2019, the Port Commission accepted the Port’s Vision 2050 plan following an 18-month process that sought input from key stakeholders and the community at large about important, future goals and priorities. One recently completed action item from Vision 2050 is the Destination Waterfront plan that focuses on specific strategies for developing the Port Peninsula.  

Additionally, the Port often participates as a collaborative partner on local and regional planning processes related to land use and community development, business and economic development and environmental sustainability and resilience. The Planning and Environmental programs are funded primarily through the Port’s tax receipts and through State and Federal funding programs.

More information on the Port’s environmental programs and planning programs can be found on the Port’s website at the following links:

https://portolympia.com/about-us/environment/  https://portolympia.com/about-us/planning/

The Position:

Reporting directly to the Executive Services Director, the Planning and Environmental Senior Manager is responsible for management and operation of the Port’s planning and environmental programs, including overseeing the regulatory compliance functions and environmental certification programs.  This position is responsible for developing goals, objectives, strategies, plans, programs, and budgets designed to help the Port achieve both its environmental stewardship goals, and its internal and external long-range planning processes. These processes include those related to environmental sustainability, Port resilience, land use, infrastructure, asset management, capital facilities, among others. In support of both program areas, this position manages and directs staff including employee supervision and development and directs and oversees a variety of consultants and contracts to accomplish the goals of the programs. The Planning and Environmental Senior Manager directly supervises the Environmental Project Manager and the Cascade Pole Site Manager.   The Planning and Environmental Senior Manager routinely engages other Port Senior Managers, Directors and staff in support of the “One Port” philosophy and a collaborative team approach to achieving Port sustainability, resilience and success. The position advises the Port Commission and Executive Director on environmental and planning policy and regulatory matters.  This is a 24/7 response obligation position. Moderate business travel is expected/required.

For a full job description and to view all responsibilities, please view the attachment found here (Download PDF reader).

Overall:

  • Demonstrate leadership qualities and credibility both internally and as a Port representative in the local and regional community and with regulatory agencies.
  • Represent Port interests in local and regional processes related to environmental, land use, community development, and other planning programs and projects.
  • Maintain and foster effective partnerships with government agencies, local tribes, and the public.
  • Work collaboratively with Port colleagues to foster and maintain a positive, teamwork-oriented environment.
  • Advise the Port Commission, Executive Director, Port colleagues, citizen groups, individuals, consultants, and others on departmental issues; assemble necessary resources to solve a broad range of programmatic issues that arise; prepare and revise Commission Resolutions as directed.
  • Develop and oversee budgets for the Planning and Environmental Department and collaborate with other Senior Managers and Directors on budgets related to the Marine Terminal Stormwater Treatment Facility and the overall Port Capital Investment Plan.
  • Develop department goals, objectives, and work plans, and organize and direct the activities of the department staff, including managing their performance and professional development.

Environmental Programs:

  • Oversee the Port’s various environmental programs and initiatives, including regulatory compliance, contaminated site cleanup, mitigation and restoration projects, environmental stewardship, and sustainability projects and programs. 
  • Provide recommendations on complex environmental issues affecting the Port and the larger community, based on in depth analysis, broad regulatory expertise, and considerable independent judgment.
  • Advise the Port on issues associated with environmental regulatory trends and projected future compliance requirements, liability and risk minimization and resolution, and in negotiating cost recovery and insurance recovery for environmental cleanup projects and/or other environmental liabilities. 
  • Advise and assist in developing strategic approaches involving environmental planning and policy, regulatory compliance, as well as funding and financing strategies for the Port’s projects and programs.
  • Oversee and direct securing of local, state and federal environmental permits for all Port projects and operations, across the various business units (marine terminal, marina, airport, real estate, etc.). 
  • Monitor and advise colleagues on environmental legislative and regulatory development issues impacting the Port, and represent the Port on WPPA’s Environmental Policy Committee.
  • Manage the Port’s stormwater programs and systems, organization-wide, and ensure strategies are in place to secure long-term compliance with permits. This position maintains signature authority for stormwater and environmental submittals to regulatory agencies.
  • Supervise and manage environmental staff as well as environmental consultants and their contracts.

Planning Programs:

  • Develop, recommend and oversee implementation of multiple environmental, land use, community development, and other planning projects and programs, including internal Port initiatives as well as external, community/regional projects.
  • Responsible for the Port’s long-range planning functions including development of the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements (CSHI) and various land use, environmental, and site development plans.
  • Provide land use, environmental and development expertise, review and recommendations related to the development of Port properties; communicate and collaborate with other Senior Managers and Directors in developing long term, efficient and effective property development and management strategies.
  • Actively participate in the Port’s strategic planning processes.
  • Represent Port interests in local and regional processes related to land use and community development planning programs and projects.
  • Participate in a variety of external planning processes that may have impact on the Port, provide analysis and recommendations to the Port on these processes and serve as a Port representative, as requested.
  • In collaboration with other departments, prepare Port property development plans, including providing oversight of various professional service providers, including, without limitation, architectural, engineering, surveying, and other consultants.
  • Oversee and direct securing local, state and federal land use permits for all Port projects and operations, across the various business units (marine terminal, marina, airport, real estate, etc.). 
  • Monitor and advise colleagues on land use and community development legislation and regulatory development issues as they arise.
  • Working collaboratively with other Senior Managers and Directors, provide oversight into the design, development, permitting and construction of Port capital projects.

Qualifications:

Ideal Candidate

Education & Experience:

  • A bachelor’s degree in environmental management, land use/community planning, public administration or related field.
  • Eight (8) years of experience in environmental and/or land use planning program management is highly preferred.
  • A valid Washington driver’s license or the ability to acquire one within 90 Days.
  • A valid Transportation Worker Identification Card or the ability to acquire one within 90 days.
  • 24-Hour HAZWOPER certification or the ability to acquire one within 90 days.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Extensive management level experience in environmental regulatory compliance, remediation and brownfield redevelopment, sustainability and/or restoration work, preferably in Washington State. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of land use, community and economic development strategies, techniques, and practices including site development and regulatory approach strategies.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Federal, State, and local land use and environmental regulations (substantive and procedural), including, without limitation, MTCA, SMA, GMA, SEPA, CERCLA, Clean Water Act, NEPA, etc.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, targeted to a variety of audiences, and an ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
  • Demonstrated management and problem-solving skills.
  • The ability to work effectively in teams and create a teamwork atmosphere to ensure efficiency and high morale.
  • Experience effectively managing, motivating, and supervising people to achieve high quality work products.
  • Maintain good personal/business relationships with Port Commission and staff, government agencies, tribal entities, community organizations, citizens, tenants, and customers.
  • The ability to develop and maintain consensus among major stakeholders in the operations of the Port.
  • Proven ability to plan, negotiate, and lead.
  • Skill in operating a personal computer, Microsoft Office, and e-mail

Supplemental Information:

Compensation and Benefits

  • $92,215 – $138,328 DOQ
  • Medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance with no out-of-pocket employee premiums and full coverage for employee, spouse, and all eligible dependents.
  • Life and AD&D insurance with a maximum of $100,000.
  • 12 days of vacation.
  • 11 paid holidays.
  • Sick leave.
  • Bereavement leave.
  • Educational assistance.
  • Long-term disability insurance with optional additional coverage paid by the employee.
  • Washington State Retirement System.
  • Wellness fringe benefit.
  • Optional AFLAC.
  • Optional Ameriflex FSA.
  • Optional Deferred Compensation Plan.

To learn more about the benefits provided, please view the attachment found here (Download PDF reader).

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening, in compliance with the Port’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace policy and the Drug-Free Workplace Act (1988) of unlawful drugs under the Federal, State, and local laws and regulations in the United States, and a completed COVID-19 vaccination record.

References will not be contacted until selected for the final interview stage and notified.