Community Engagement Manager (Inland Nw Area)

Salary : $48,864.00 - $65,748.00 Annually
Location : Spokane County - Other, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2023-15291
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date: 12/07/2023
Closing Date: 12/27/2023 5:00 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Job Title: Program Manager
Location: Nine Mile Falls, WA
Closes: December 27th, 2023, at 5 p.m. PST.
Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse--and most beautiful-parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere We love what we manage and what we do. For more information on Washington State Parks, click
Interested in working with other agencies and partners to further shared goals related to land management, conservation, and recreation? Or engaging with user groups and the community to seek creative ways to improve our park systems and connect more people with these special places? Washington State Parks is looking for a full time Community Engagement Manager in the Spokane area to build and maintain these relationships, lead communications efforts at the park level, work with local media outlets, organize public meetings and tours with elected officials, develop new and maintain existing agreements, and manage grants.
We encourage you to apply!
Duties
The Community Engagement Manager serves the Inland Northwest Area and provides support to the Blue Mountain Area. This position works both independently and collaboratively with Parks Area, Region, and Headquarter Staff in developing and maintaining partnerships with other agencies, partners, community members, and Friend's groups; manages concession and long-term use agreements; serves as the primary media and communications contact; organizes community outreach and public meetings; and oversees park level grants.
This position acts as a primary liaison with the Headquarters' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program and supports the agency's external efforts to help support DEI across state park's systems, structures, policies, and practices.
Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manages Community Engagement and partnerships in coordination with the Area and Region Mangers:
  • Develop new and maintain existing relationships with other land managers, partners, stakeholders, businesses, community groups and leaders, including Washington Trails Association (WTA), Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Back Country Horsemen, Spokane Nordic Ski Association, Riverside State Park Foundation, Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park, Friends of the Spokane River Centennial Trail, Fairchild Air Force Base, and the WA State Military Department. Seek to learn and understand the interests of these groups and how their feedback could be taken into account within park operations or related to future projects. Partner to improve outcomes for diverse communities.
  • Attend regular meetings and coordinates special projects, as needed.

Acts as a liaison with the agency's HQ DEI team and other programs between the State Park Headquarters DEI program and Inland NW/Blue Mountain areas:

• Meets regularly and develops strategy for Community Engagement.

Manages grant submission and administration efforts:

• Researches, seeks, and applies for grants to support park operations with the approval of Area management and collaboration with Parks Development staff, ensuring all agency guidelines and met and approvals are obtained.

Oversees internal and external communications:

• Drafts external correspondence to user groups to keep them updated on what is happening within the park area including day-use and trail closures.
• Maintains and updates park webpages, brochures, and maps including drafting and overseeing park alerts, and authorship and publisher responsibility.
• Serves as the main point of contract for Headquarters communications team, working with them to provide content for social media posts, presentations, and other platforms as needed.

Manages the Inland NW Volunteer program:

• Acts as direct supervisor to the Volunteer Coordinator to recruit both individuals and groups to enhance and expand the program.

Administrator for concession agreements and special request for Inland NW Area:

• Coordinates closes with HQ concession Lead to update and execute existing agreements set to expire.
• Determines viability of new request and coordinates with the Inland NW Area Manager, HQ concession Lead, and other staff to establish new concession.

Leads media relations efforts:

• Main point of contact for media inquiries for the Inland NW Area.
• Works with Headquarters communications office on inquiries and responses.
• Coordinates with area manager and staff on media interviews and develops talking points for staff participating in interviews, as needed.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and two (2) years' experience in public outreach and communications with public and private organizations, media relations, partnership building, grant writing and administration, and event coordination.
• A valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of State Parks rules and regulations.
• Existing relations with and/or knowledge of Inland NW Area underrepresented groups.
• Experience and understanding in Community Engagement techniques and other practices to involve historically underserved groups in state parks decision making.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Perspectives:

• Ability to present information to diverse audiences in various environments.
• Ability to work independently while using good judgement and problem-solving skills in decision making.
• Promotes cooperation and an eagerness and capacity to learn new skills.
• Self-starter who can see a project through to completion.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at You must attach or embed in your application the following:

• Letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
• Current resume.
• Three professional references, if not completed in the application process.

NOTE: Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
*This job announcement may be used to fill other positions of the same classification if vacant in the next 60 days.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:
Diversity Policy Statement:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating an equitable, hospitable, appreciative, safe, and inclusive park environment - one that embraces the full spectrum of all community members' contributions. The Commission makes this commitment because:

• Diversity strengthens the workforce in competence and ability;
• Celebrating diversity appreciates and values individual differences;
• Diversity serves an increasingly heterogeneous society;
• Diversity helps ensure the relevance of a state park system, its mission, properties, and programs to the people of this state today and in the future; and
• Diversity is crucial to our ability to serve all citizens.

The Commission encourages and supports staff efforts to reach out to people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, veteran status, ages, and genders who use the parks and who live in communities nearby parks. This outreach is to focus on engaging in partnerships that expand programs and services in a way that is meaningful and of value to all people. The Commission is dedicated to offering quality experiences to all visitors through a workforce and volunteer corps that reflects the diversity of Washington State.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at or (360) 902-8569.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Lea...