City of Seattle
Director of Environmental Stewardship Division
City of Seattle, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
About SPR:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR)
is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. SPR equips employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant. SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the
City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI)
by working to end institutional and structural racism.
Our commitment:
SPR commits to
Our City Values, Workplace Expectations
, and
Racial Equity and Social Justice
as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
SPR manages 6,414 acres of park land (12% of the city's land total) that comprise more than 485 parks and open areas and include a wide range of facilities and features such as community centers, swimming pools, wading pools and water spray parks, indoor and outdoor tennis facilities, environmental learning centers, special gardens, athletic fields, park boulevards, green spaces and natural areas, golf courses, lawn bowling facilities, boat moorages, fishing piers, neighborhood playgrounds and play areas, boulevards, large shoreline areas, creeks, trails, and an urban camp. To learn more about Seattle Parks and Recreation, visit our
website
,
Facebook
page,
Twitter
account or
Parkways Blog
.
About the Environmental Stewardship Division: Seattle has become a national and internationally recognized leader in mitigating impacts of climate change, stewarding and protecting our urban forests and natural spaces, promoting environmental responsibility and environmental justice, and building resilient infrastructure. This division will be responsible to continue to lead and innovate the path forward by managing the natural environment of a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 parks and extensive natural areas and provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens, and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. This division works 365 days a year on multiple shifts and operates 24 hours a day to provide an outstanding level of maintenance. This division delivers against all 3 of SPR’s core guiding pillars and is chiefly responsible for the Thriving Environment pillar. In addition to our current operations, we also strive to constantly improve the ways we serve Seattle’s residents, specifically through implementation of the SPR Strategic Plan, innovation in our approaches to maintaining parks and green spaces, learning from national best practices and quality standards, and leading with equity.
This newly formed division will be responsible for: Natural Resources Oversee specialty horticulture, pest and wildlife management, and trail maintenance. Lead arboriculture operations, including arborists and tree crew. Manage the Green Seattle Partnership for urban forest and natural area restoration. Oversee the Green Youth Corps program. Environmental Stewardship Lead citywide environmental programs and strategic initiatives aligned with the Thriving Environment pillar. Manage Environmental Learning Centers, including Camp Long and Red Barn Ranch. Oversee Urban Food Systems programming and promote awareness of health benefits from time spent in nature. Ensure inclusive, welcoming access to nature-based programming for all communities. Represent the department in global initiatives (e.g., UN’s #GenerationRestoration, Cities for Nature, ICLEI). Lead cross-divisional work within SPR to implement key environmental priorities. Utility Conservation Lead efforts in electrification and greening of SPR infrastructure, fleet, and equipment. Oversee water conservation initiatives and related capital improvement projects. Coordinate interdepartmental work with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Seattle Public Utilities, and Department of Transportation to align work programs and priorities. Communications Ensure clear, consistent messaging around green programs, initiatives, and successes. Promote awareness of environmental goals, public engagement efforts, and key partnerships. Develop performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); track and report on environmental impact. Partnerships Build and maintain collaborative relationships with:
City agencies (OSE, SPU, SDOT, Office of Economic Development) Regional governments (King County, Tribal Nations) Nonprofit and public-private partners (e.g., Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Arboretum Foundation, Seattle Parks Foundation, Birds Connect)
Foster trust and engagement with Tribal partners in alignment with the 2024 Tribal Nations Gathering and Nation-to-Nation engagement. Support regional, national, and international partnerships along the Emerald Corridor and beyond. Participate in citywide and external committees and advisory groups (e.g., UW/Arboretum Partnership, Zoo/Aquarium environmental initiatives). Policy Provide leadership in advancing the #OneSeattle Climate Action Plan, Nature-Based Solutions, and sustainability goals. Develop policies and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance and support best practices. Draft and review briefing papers, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements in coordination with the Law Department, Mayor’s Office, City Council, Indigenous Advisory Council, and Budget Office. Represent SPR in interdepartmental and intergovernmental policy development teams. Oversee division operations (110 FTEs, $20M annual budget) including budget management, HR functions, and labor relations in coordination with HR and Finance divisions.
About the Director Position: We are searching for a leader to serve as the Director of Environmental Stewardship. This leader must have a commitment to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change, stewarding and protecting our urban forests and natural spaces, promoting environmental responsibility and environmental justice,
building strong relationships with Tribal partners, and
building resilient infrastructure.
The Director of the Environmental Stewardship Division will oversee operations and strategic direction of Parks Natural Resource and Environmental Stewardship for the Urban Forestry Program, Trails Maintenance, Horticulture, Landscape, Environmental Learning Centers, Urban Foods and Specialty Gardens Maintenance Teams and manage an operational portfolio on Tribal Relations work while working with the Superintendent’s Office on policy and budgeting. As an international leader in this sector, this individual should be well-positioned to represent SPR to a local, national, and global audience, driving our Department to continue to innovate and lead as an environmental steward.
Report directly to the Parks & Recreation Branch Deputy Superintendent and provide leadership to the Environmental Stewardship Division staff. Set the overall vision and strategy for the Environmental Stewardship Division, developing SPR’s leadership on the local, state, national and international stage (e.g. UN’s #GenerationRestoration Programme, Journeys for Life, Cities for Nature, ICLEI etc.) , and lead our thinking on key priorities such as Nature Based Solutions, and innovations in spaces such as finance for nature. Work cross-functionally across multiple SPR divisions to deliver against the goals of the Thriving Environment pillar Manage all aspects of a division comprised of approximately 110 FTE with $20M in annual funding. Promote equity and inclusion by being a leader in maintaining safe and welcoming spaces for the community and visitors. Oversee all budgetary and fiscal matters to ensure operations remain within budgetary allocations and reach revenue target, following policies and procedures to properly account for all funds handled by the Division. Direct personnel administration, in partnership with the Human Resources Division, including broad issues of classification/compensation, recruitment, training, employee relations and labor relations, as well as collective bargaining negotiations. Develop briefing papers, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements in coordination with the Law Department, the Budget Office, Mayor's Office staff, Indigenous Advisory Council, City Council staff and City Council members as needed. Represent the Department on citywide policy committees, providing strategic direction, policy and operational input to city decision makers including steering committees (e.g. UW/Arboretum Partnership, Zoo and Aquarium environmental issues). Work with the Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Seattle Public Utilities, Office of Intergovernmental Relations, and Department of Transportation, among others, to develop work programs and priorities that support these issues and represent the department on appropriate Interdepartmental Teams. Meet with advisory councils, special interest groups, and non-profit groups that support this work as necessary. Maintains and improves consistency, high quality, and accuracy of all work products within the Division by developing programs and creating policies and procedures that support best practices and standards that comply with regulatory requirements. Manage, monitor, evaluate, and develop performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The position will regularly research and develop new programming strategies and best business practices. Requires a baccalaureate degree in landscape architecture, environmental management, public administration, business administration, urban forestry and horticulture, parks and recreation management or a related field and two years of responsible professional personnel administration experience in the public sector are required (or a combination/equivalent of three years of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Experience Five years of progressively responsible experience managing and directing employees in grounds maintenance functions for medium to large, complex employee structured organizations. Excellent leadership and supervisory skills including strategic thinking, sound decision-making, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to achieving results. Proven experience in senior level strategic and operations role that demonstrates success in leading cross-functional teams and large-scale initiatives. Four or more years of successful experience planning, developing and implementing a variety of programs and partnerships with Tribal partners, stakeholders, customers, peers, partner organizations and advocacy groups while maintaining positive relationships and collaborations with other operations divisions. Five or more years of financial management experience effectively allocating large budgets and leveraging funding from a variety of sources at a high managerial level. Strong analytical skills including proven financial management, policy development, and strategic planning. A proven track record of effectively managing relationships with employees, residents, community members, elected officials, partner organizations and advocacy groups. Unique characteristics of the successful candidate include: Demonstrated understanding of Environmental issues related to resiliency and adaptation within the climate changes conversation. Experience engaging with Indigenous partners, including Federally Recognized Tribes and the Urban Native community. Politically astute and comfortable dealing at all levels of City government, concerning local and regional issues, while maintaining clear focus on Department values and vision. Ability to manage and direct a professional staff by ensuring the quality and efficiency of work, the understanding of their responsibilities, and the resolution of their questions. Strong motivation, delegation, and decision-making skills with clear and consistent messaging. Ability to effectively direct multi-dimensional responsibilities simultaneously while understanding and supporting a work/life balance. Ability to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology. Ability to work in an urban environment with people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds; experience with diversity including economic, ethnic, age, and gender. Ability to research, develop and obtain grant funding and to complete a process of tracking and reporting results and outcomes. Lead innovation strategy by designing and implementing systems that foster a culture of ideation and strategic thinking. Special Application Instructions:
Please completely fill out the application form, supplemental questions and also upload a recent PDF copy of your resume along with a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in this position.
The full salary range for this position is $64.56 - $106.52 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
SPR's Core Competencies
Accountability & Action:
Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making, and promoting high quality standards.
Equity and Inclusion:
Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
Communication:
Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
Service:
An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
Teamwork:
Leading as an engaged member of a team to build a cohesive team and facilitate the achievement of work group goals.
Aligning Performance for Success:
Collaboratively guiding and engaging the team to accomplish defined work goals.
Direction and Delegation:
Sharing authority and responsibilities with others to distribute decision-making and accountability throughout the organization; enabling individuals to stretch their capabilities; and accomplishing the organization’s strategic priorities.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Work is usually performed in-person at an office environment. Occasional evening and weekend work required.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. SPR equips employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant. SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the
City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI)
by working to end institutional and structural racism.
Our commitment:
SPR commits to
Our City Values, Workplace Expectations
, and
Racial Equity and Social Justice
as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
SPR manages 6,414 acres of park land (12% of the city's land total) that comprise more than 485 parks and open areas and include a wide range of facilities and features such as community centers, swimming pools, wading pools and water spray parks, indoor and outdoor tennis facilities, environmental learning centers, special gardens, athletic fields, park boulevards, green spaces and natural areas, golf courses, lawn bowling facilities, boat moorages, fishing piers, neighborhood playgrounds and play areas, boulevards, large shoreline areas, creeks, trails, and an urban camp. To learn more about Seattle Parks and Recreation, visit our
website
,
page,
account or
Parkways Blog
.
About the Environmental Stewardship Division: Seattle has become a national and internationally recognized leader in mitigating impacts of climate change, stewarding and protecting our urban forests and natural spaces, promoting environmental responsibility and environmental justice, and building resilient infrastructure. This division will be responsible to continue to lead and innovate the path forward by managing the natural environment of a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 parks and extensive natural areas and provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens, and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. This division works 365 days a year on multiple shifts and operates 24 hours a day to provide an outstanding level of maintenance. This division delivers against all 3 of SPR’s core guiding pillars and is chiefly responsible for the Thriving Environment pillar. In addition to our current operations, we also strive to constantly improve the ways we serve Seattle’s residents, specifically through implementation of the SPR Strategic Plan, innovation in our approaches to maintaining parks and green spaces, learning from national best practices and quality standards, and leading with equity.
This newly formed division will be responsible for: Natural Resources Oversee specialty horticulture, pest and wildlife management, and trail maintenance. Lead arboriculture operations, including arborists and tree crew. Manage the Green Seattle Partnership for urban forest and natural area restoration. Oversee the Green Youth Corps program. Environmental Stewardship Lead citywide environmental programs and strategic initiatives aligned with the Thriving Environment pillar. Manage Environmental Learning Centers, including Camp Long and Red Barn Ranch. Oversee Urban Food Systems programming and promote awareness of health benefits from time spent in nature. Ensure inclusive, welcoming access to nature-based programming for all communities. Represent the department in global initiatives (e.g., UN’s #GenerationRestoration, Cities for Nature, ICLEI). Lead cross-divisional work within SPR to implement key environmental priorities. Utility Conservation Lead efforts in electrification and greening of SPR infrastructure, fleet, and equipment. Oversee water conservation initiatives and related capital improvement projects. Coordinate interdepartmental work with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Seattle Public Utilities, and Department of Transportation to align work programs and priorities. Communications Ensure clear, consistent messaging around green programs, initiatives, and successes. Promote awareness of environmental goals, public engagement efforts, and key partnerships. Develop performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); track and report on environmental impact. Partnerships Build and maintain collaborative relationships with:
City agencies (OSE, SPU, SDOT, Office of Economic Development) Regional governments (King County, Tribal Nations) Nonprofit and public-private partners (e.g., Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Arboretum Foundation, Seattle Parks Foundation, Birds Connect)
Foster trust and engagement with Tribal partners in alignment with the 2024 Tribal Nations Gathering and Nation-to-Nation engagement. Support regional, national, and international partnerships along the Emerald Corridor and beyond. Participate in citywide and external committees and advisory groups (e.g., UW/Arboretum Partnership, Zoo/Aquarium environmental initiatives). Policy Provide leadership in advancing the #OneSeattle Climate Action Plan, Nature-Based Solutions, and sustainability goals. Develop policies and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance and support best practices. Draft and review briefing papers, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements in coordination with the Law Department, Mayor’s Office, City Council, Indigenous Advisory Council, and Budget Office. Represent SPR in interdepartmental and intergovernmental policy development teams. Oversee division operations (110 FTEs, $20M annual budget) including budget management, HR functions, and labor relations in coordination with HR and Finance divisions.
About the Director Position: We are searching for a leader to serve as the Director of Environmental Stewardship. This leader must have a commitment to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change, stewarding and protecting our urban forests and natural spaces, promoting environmental responsibility and environmental justice,
building strong relationships with Tribal partners, and
building resilient infrastructure.
The Director of the Environmental Stewardship Division will oversee operations and strategic direction of Parks Natural Resource and Environmental Stewardship for the Urban Forestry Program, Trails Maintenance, Horticulture, Landscape, Environmental Learning Centers, Urban Foods and Specialty Gardens Maintenance Teams and manage an operational portfolio on Tribal Relations work while working with the Superintendent’s Office on policy and budgeting. As an international leader in this sector, this individual should be well-positioned to represent SPR to a local, national, and global audience, driving our Department to continue to innovate and lead as an environmental steward.
Report directly to the Parks & Recreation Branch Deputy Superintendent and provide leadership to the Environmental Stewardship Division staff. Set the overall vision and strategy for the Environmental Stewardship Division, developing SPR’s leadership on the local, state, national and international stage (e.g. UN’s #GenerationRestoration Programme, Journeys for Life, Cities for Nature, ICLEI etc.) , and lead our thinking on key priorities such as Nature Based Solutions, and innovations in spaces such as finance for nature. Work cross-functionally across multiple SPR divisions to deliver against the goals of the Thriving Environment pillar Manage all aspects of a division comprised of approximately 110 FTE with $20M in annual funding. Promote equity and inclusion by being a leader in maintaining safe and welcoming spaces for the community and visitors. Oversee all budgetary and fiscal matters to ensure operations remain within budgetary allocations and reach revenue target, following policies and procedures to properly account for all funds handled by the Division. Direct personnel administration, in partnership with the Human Resources Division, including broad issues of classification/compensation, recruitment, training, employee relations and labor relations, as well as collective bargaining negotiations. Develop briefing papers, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements in coordination with the Law Department, the Budget Office, Mayor's Office staff, Indigenous Advisory Council, City Council staff and City Council members as needed. Represent the Department on citywide policy committees, providing strategic direction, policy and operational input to city decision makers including steering committees (e.g. UW/Arboretum Partnership, Zoo and Aquarium environmental issues). Work with the Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Seattle Public Utilities, Office of Intergovernmental Relations, and Department of Transportation, among others, to develop work programs and priorities that support these issues and represent the department on appropriate Interdepartmental Teams. Meet with advisory councils, special interest groups, and non-profit groups that support this work as necessary. Maintains and improves consistency, high quality, and accuracy of all work products within the Division by developing programs and creating policies and procedures that support best practices and standards that comply with regulatory requirements. Manage, monitor, evaluate, and develop performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The position will regularly research and develop new programming strategies and best business practices. Requires a baccalaureate degree in landscape architecture, environmental management, public administration, business administration, urban forestry and horticulture, parks and recreation management or a related field and two years of responsible professional personnel administration experience in the public sector are required (or a combination/equivalent of three years of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Experience Five years of progressively responsible experience managing and directing employees in grounds maintenance functions for medium to large, complex employee structured organizations. Excellent leadership and supervisory skills including strategic thinking, sound decision-making, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to achieving results. Proven experience in senior level strategic and operations role that demonstrates success in leading cross-functional teams and large-scale initiatives. Four or more years of successful experience planning, developing and implementing a variety of programs and partnerships with Tribal partners, stakeholders, customers, peers, partner organizations and advocacy groups while maintaining positive relationships and collaborations with other operations divisions. Five or more years of financial management experience effectively allocating large budgets and leveraging funding from a variety of sources at a high managerial level. Strong analytical skills including proven financial management, policy development, and strategic planning. A proven track record of effectively managing relationships with employees, residents, community members, elected officials, partner organizations and advocacy groups. Unique characteristics of the successful candidate include: Demonstrated understanding of Environmental issues related to resiliency and adaptation within the climate changes conversation. Experience engaging with Indigenous partners, including Federally Recognized Tribes and the Urban Native community. Politically astute and comfortable dealing at all levels of City government, concerning local and regional issues, while maintaining clear focus on Department values and vision. Ability to manage and direct a professional staff by ensuring the quality and efficiency of work, the understanding of their responsibilities, and the resolution of their questions. Strong motivation, delegation, and decision-making skills with clear and consistent messaging. Ability to effectively direct multi-dimensional responsibilities simultaneously while understanding and supporting a work/life balance. Ability to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology. Ability to work in an urban environment with people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds; experience with diversity including economic, ethnic, age, and gender. Ability to research, develop and obtain grant funding and to complete a process of tracking and reporting results and outcomes. Lead innovation strategy by designing and implementing systems that foster a culture of ideation and strategic thinking. Special Application Instructions:
Please completely fill out the application form, supplemental questions and also upload a recent PDF copy of your resume along with a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in this position.
The full salary range for this position is $64.56 - $106.52 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
SPR's Core Competencies
Accountability & Action:
Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making, and promoting high quality standards.
Equity and Inclusion:
Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
Communication:
Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
Service:
An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
Teamwork:
Leading as an engaged member of a team to build a cohesive team and facilitate the achievement of work group goals.
Aligning Performance for Success:
Collaboratively guiding and engaging the team to accomplish defined work goals.
Direction and Delegation:
Sharing authority and responsibilities with others to distribute decision-making and accountability throughout the organization; enabling individuals to stretch their capabilities; and accomplishing the organization’s strategic priorities.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Work is usually performed in-person at an office environment. Occasional evening and weekend work required.
#J-18808-Ljbffr