Senior Strategic Advisor, Exempt

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Executive Management Division for a Senior Strategic Advisor. The Senior Strategic Advisor holds a multidimensional role within the Commissioner’s Office and sits on the Executive Leadership Team. The Senior Strategic Advisor will help develop and review agency policy and initiatives, draft and review legislation, assist AAGs and agency staff in researching and interpreting laws, rules, and regulations, and offer strategic guidance on a host of items that require legal analysis or risk assessment. The Senior Strategic Advisor works closely with the Attorney General’s Office and liaises on litigation issues on behalf of the agency. The Senior Strategic Advisor provides advice and facilitates training on ethics, conflicts of interest, public meetings, public records production, and lobbying restrictions to ensure compliance across the agency and its component groups. The Senior Strategic Advisor works with the other teams in the Commissioner’s Office to ensure strategic priorities are advanced and serves as a resource to advance the Commissioner’s priorities, including by offering strategic advice on complex policy development and drafting Commissioner’s Orders. The Advisor also liaises with external partners to resolve complex issues consistent with the Commissioner’s priorities and values. The Senior Strategic Advisor may draft and/or review legislation and works closely with the Office of Governmental and External Affairs to promote and maintain productive relationships with elected officials and other external partners. The Senior Strategic Advisor draws upon legal and legislative process experience to inform both legislative and legal decisions within the agency, reviewing legal matters for potential legislative impacts and likewise reviewing legislation for potential legal impacts.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
5+ years of experience practicing law.
Demonstrated experience in a similar position in federal, state, or regional government.
Demonstrated experience providing legal and strategic policy advice to executive leaders on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
Ability to analyze and interpret issues and present legal opinions and/or policy advice via briefing memos, presentations, or meetings.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research, as well as legal documentation procedures and requirements.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations that impact agency policy and operations.
DNR Core Competencies: Personal Accountability, Value Others, Compassionate Communication, Inspire Others, Commitment to Excellence, Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and follow requests.
Strong research and analytical skills, and the ability to take complex ideas and communicate them effectively both internally and externally.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to track, inform, and coordinate the work of attorneys and legal professionals.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment and work in partnership with colleagues.
Active listening skills, as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, receive and convey ideas, thoughts, and information.
Ability to manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
Ability to work as part of a team as well as coordinate, facilitate, and manage the work of ad hoc teams formed from cross-agency resources.

Nice To Haves

Experience working for or with elected officials.
Previous experience working in the natural resource, environmental, or similar fields.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Advisor to the Commissioner and senior leaders: Provide and communicate accurate and thoughtful legal advice to the Commissioner and senior leaders through briefing memos, meetings, and presentations.
Research pertinent legal issues; monitor/interpret relevant state, federal, and local laws and regulations.
Coordinate, prepare, and review the Commissioner’s Orders.
Provide ethics guidance and/or training to the Executive Leadership Team.
Prepare the agency’s legal response to emergency and crisis situations.
Developing and leading the agency's legal strategy to promote and protect the agency’s interests.
Overseeing the delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish agency goals, strategies, and priorities.
Maintaining proper agency interactions with the relevant local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislatures, and the community at large.
Advising the Commissioner of Public Lands, Chief of Staff, and other senior agency executives and officers on a variety of issues.
Providing counsel regarding legal issues that arise in the day-to-day operation of the agency.
Strategic Policy Advisor: Research, analyze, and brief senior leadership on complex policy issues that require a strategic 360-degree perspective.
Review draft legislation to identify/resolve legal issues and ensure consistency with the Commissioner’s priorities.
Partner with other team members on policy development and addressing related legal issues.
Review and draft policies and procedures.
Participating in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management team.
Developing and leading internal agency compliance programs.
Liaison to the Attorney General’s Office and other outside counsel: Interface with AAGs and other outside counsel; serve as the primary point of contact with the Attorney General’s Office.
Oversee agency litigation and settlement negotiations, provide direction to AAGs and other outside counsel on legal strategy.
Review and approve all state agency requests for AAG opinions.

Benefits

Commitment to organizational health and wellness
Work/life balance
DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups
Leadership that empowers and supports employees
Professional development opportunities
Educational and career development aid
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days.