Director for Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights, Exempt

Director for Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights (Exempt)

Location: Olympia, Washington.

Salary: $10,967 – $12,792 monthly (growth range $10,967 – $13,464).

Review of applications is ongoing; recruitment may close after 6/23/26.

• Serve as the leading Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights Officer for DNR, supporting review of program policies.
• Document and assess the impact of all environmental justice and equity actions taken by the agency.
• Develop a protocol to protect Washington State citizens from discrimination on DNR state lands.
• Identify and oversee responsible parties for receiving and processing discrimination complaints.
• Conduct regular reviews of agency practices to identify potential civil rights non‑compliance.
• Recommend and lead changes at the agency, state, and federal policy levels where DNR has authority.
• Assess and design interventions to improve equity, environmental justice, and DEIB outcomes in agency operations.
• Represent DNR on the statewide Environmental Justice Council and other relevant statewide and national councils, task forces, and work groups.
• Co‑create and lead processes to mitigate environmental harm for overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
• Partner with DNR's Workplace Culture and Development office and Human Resources to design and implement best practices addressing biases in recruitment, hiring, retention, and workforce diversity.
• Support implementation of the agency's CAIP Plan in partnership with the Workplace Culture and Development office.
• Create and implement training and programs focused on environmental justice and equity across the agency.
• Lead the HEAL Act implementation for DNR.
• Serve as Chair of the Committee on Geographic Names.
• Supervise the staff of the Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights team.
• Engage proactively with overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in sociology, public policy, urban planning, business administration, environmental science, cultural studies, or a related field, with 4 years of experience or equivalent education/experience.
• Strong record of engaging with disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized communities, including Tribal governments, on natural resource management or environmental issues.
• Deep understanding of the HEAL Act and its application within a state agency.
• Experience leading a team to effect meaningful change.
• Experience conducting public hearings, meetings, and town halls in diverse communities and regions.
• Experience using data‑driven equity tools to influence policy.

• DNR
  
  Core Competencies:
  
  Personal Accountability, Value Others, Compassionate Communication, Inspire Others, Commitment to Excellence.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.
• Ability to perform duties in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and public records requirements.
• Experience working for an elected official, government agency, or senior executive.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience leading policy and system change or managing in a large agency to advance equity initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and ability to develop and analyze legislation.
• Strategic planning experience, including development of annual plans with measurable goals.
• Policy development or program implementation related to environmental justice and/or civil rights.
• Track record of building relationships and collaborating with internal and external partners to foster engagement, belonging, respect, empathy, active listening, and trust.
• Experience working with state, city, county, federal, tribal, and public entities.
• Ability to design, conduct, and evaluate complex research using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative).
• Strong problem‑solving, creative thinking, and innovative mindset.
• Active listening skills demonstrated in conflict resolution.

• Ability to communicate in languages other than English.

• Typical office…