Deputy Director Parks Development (WMS BAND 3) Lacey

Full Job Description

Washington State Parks & Recreation is seeking a strategic, systems minded leader to serve as the Deputy Director of Parks Development — a pivotal role guiding some of the state’s most significant public investments in outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship. This role is ideal for a strategic, systems-minded leader who thrives in complexity and wants their work to have visible, lasting impact across Washington’s most treasured places.

As the senior operational leader for the Parks Development Division, you will partner closely with the Director to translate strategic direction into consistent, accountable execution across a diverse portfolio that includes capital development, facilities modernization, ADA settlement implementation, FEMA recovery, exhibits, ski lift inspections, data innovation, and major statewide initiatives.

This position is one of two senior leaders forming the division’s top leadership unit, alongside the Planning & Real Estate Program Manager.

You’ll work at the intersection of policy, infrastructure, public service, and intergovernmental coordination, navigating high-visibility issues, shaping executive-level decisions, and ensuring the agency delivers on its commitments to the public, the Legislature, and tribal and local government partners.

At State Parks, your work is mission-driven and deeply meaningful.

Unlike the private sector, where development is driven by profit, our work is driven by public value—protecting natural and cultural resources, and creating safe, resilient, and welcoming places for millions of visitors each year.

Our team values clarity, collaboration, and thoughtful leadership. As one staff member put it: “You can see the impact of your decisions on the ground—real improvements, real parks, real people.”

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in complexity, navigates high visibility issues with confidence, and wants their work to have visible, lasting impact across Washington’s most treasured places.

Requirements

Here are some of the primary functions of this position:

• Serves as deputy to the Director of Parks Development; acts in their absence and supports overall division management.

• Leads the enterprise-wide Facilities Program, including long range planning, operations, and performance management.

• Provides leadership, supervision, and performance management for 50+ staff, supervisors, and program leads.

• Oversees coordination across division programs (Capital, Facilities, ADA, FEMA, Exhibits, Ski Lift Inspections, Data Innovation) to ensure alignment and execution.

• Serves as the division’s intradivisional and interdivisional coordinator, strengthening collaboration with Operations, Stewardship, Planning, Budget, IT, Communications, and other partners.

• Identifies and escalates risks, politically sensitive issues, and emerging challenges to executive leadership.

• Accountable for outcomes across major programs, including Capital, Facilities, ADA compliance, FEMA recovery, and modernization initiatives.

• Ensures quality, accuracy, and strategic alignment of materials prepared for executive review and decision making.

• Leads high profile, complex, and politically sensitive projects and initiatives.

• Develops strategic recommendations and policy guidance for capital programs and budgets exceeding $150M.

• Oversees capital forecasting, cashflow management, and financial performance.

• Co leads ADA settlement implementation with federal partners and oversees FEMA compliance and recovery.

• Directs communications, stakeholder engagement, and project promotion in coordination with communications staff.

• Leads modernization of systems, tools, and processes across programs.

• Manages complex interdivisional projects and external consultants.

• Coordinates staffing, partnerships, and large-scale initiatives across divisions.

Position, Availability and Travel Requirements:

This position is based out of Parks Headquarters in Lacey, WA, and requires some time in the office most weeks; flexible/hybrid remote work may be an option. This position requires occasional travel, which may include overnight travel.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree** in program management, systems engineering, engineering, planning, economics, finance, marketing, business administration/management or a closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project and program management that includes supervision of staff, budget management, and delegated decision-making authority.
• Experience working directly with executive-level leadership and governing bodies.
• Experience developing, interpreting, and implementing policy in a complex organizational environment.
• Ability to travel statewide.

**Additional years of qualifying experience may substitute year for year for education.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex planning, infrastructure, capital, organizational, and/or construction projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing interests, and high public visibility.
• Demonstrated experience soliciting, evaluating, and managing consultant and contractor proposals related to construction, planning, organizational development, or program delivery.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating collaborative decision-making with executive leadership, cross-divisional teams, and external partners.
• Demonstrated success in delivering high-quality work products on time and following through on commitments.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to use data to inform decisions, evaluate performance, forecast resource needs, and support adaptive management.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate a learning-based organization and apply adaptive management principles.
• Highly developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across divisions and with diverse partners.
• A personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated experience applying these principles in organizational or programmatic work.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally, using tact, diplomacy, and authority when necessary.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and support staff in a complex, high-visibility program environment.
• Ability to identify policy needs and develop, recommend, and implement policy across divisions.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of organizational development, change management, and modernization practices.
• Knowledge of capital and facilities program development, implementation, and long-range planning processes.
• Ability to develop complex long-range plans and budgets that integrate operational, financial, and strategic considerations.
• Knowledge of long-range planning processes and capital forecasting.
• Ability to write and edit effectively for executive-level audiences.
• Ability to meet and work with people with ease, including elected officials, community partners, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Strong managerial skills, including performance management, workload planning, and team leadership.
• Experience cultivating organizational learning, continuous improvement, and LEAN-based process improvements.

HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov.

• Letter of Interest - Specifically describing your qualifications that make you the best candidate for this position.
• Chronological Resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
• For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.

Additional Information

About Parks:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission provides policy direction for one of the largest, most diverse, and beautiful state parks systems in the country. The state park system is comprised of 124 state parks and properties covering over 138,000 acres throughout the state. The park system includes marine parks, heritage sites, historic parks, interpretive centers, retreat centers, ocean beaches and hundreds of miles of trails. The agency is also responsible for the state’s winter recreation program, boating safety and vessel pump out program and numerous contracted concession operations. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission cares for Washington's most treasured lands, waters, and historic places. Want to join a great organization? State parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives, this is a mission like no other state agency. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency.

At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce.

We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

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.

For information about this recruitment or Parks hiring process, please contact Wendy Vandel at Wendy.vandel@parks.wa.gov or phone (360) 902-8688.

For information about this position, please contact Heather Saunders at Heather.Saunders@parks.wa.gov.

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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