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MEDIA CONTACT
Paul Bergman
360.628.2428
paul.bergman@psp.wa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09-11-2009

Call for Applications for Nomination to the Partnership Science Panel (EXTENDED TO OCT. 12)

The Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership is soliciting nominations for appointment to the Puget Sound Science Panel.

The Puget Sound Partnership was established as a state agency by the 2007 Legislature and the Governor to develop and implement an aggressive action agenda for restoring the health of Puget Sound by 2020.

The Partnership is a new and dynamic organization charged with taking a collaborative and accountable approach to accomplishing its mission. It relies on the contributions of a variety of entities, including state, local, federal and tribal governments, community and environmental organizations, businesses, watershed and salmon recovery groups. The Partnership’s work will require creativity, innovation and a wide variety of tools and approaches to engage the public, track performance and guide progress, disseminate information to stakeholders, manage data and work collaboratively with individuals and groups throughout the region.

The Partnership is guided by the Leadership Council, consisting of seven individuals committed to the environmental and economic prosperity of Puget Sound. As the decisionmaking body for the Partnership, the Council depends on the Ecosystem Coordination Board to provide policy recommendations and the Science Panel to provide the scientific guidance needed to reach the goals set forth in the Action Agenda.

The Science Panel is an integral link between the Leadership Council and the scientific work being carried out in Puget Sound. The Panel is also key in communicating the scientific work and analysis to the broader public and to policy decision makers around the Sound.

More information on the Partnership is available at our Web site: http://www.psp.wa.gov.

Applications are due no later than October 5, 2009. Please see the details below.

Overview of the Science Panel
The statute creating the Puget Sound Partnership (Partnership) states that the Leadership Council of the Partnership shall determine reappointments and select replacements or additional members of the Panel. The role of the Science Panel is to provide independent, nonrepresentational scientific advice to the Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, and Executive Director of the Partnership on issues related to Puget Sound’s ecological and human health. The Science Panel consists of experts from natural and social science and engineering disciplines representing different groups engaged in the conservation, recovery and management of Puget Sound. Panel members are established scientists or senior managers with recent hands-on field experience. Prior to considering the applications, the Leadership Council will request that the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) review the applications and endorse the applicants regarding scientific qualifications. The Leadership Council will make the final appointments.

The Science Panel’s responsibilities include the following:

  • Assist the Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, and Executive Director in carrying out the obligations of the Puget Sound Partnership, including preparing and updating the Action Agenda;
  • Provide recommendations on scientific issues identified by the Partnership and evaluate the technical merit of scientific and technical projects proposed to the partnership;
  • Assist the Partnership in developing an ecosystem level strategic science program
  • that:
    • addresses monitoring, modeling, data management, and primary research;
    • identifies science gaps and recommends research priorities in an biennial science work plan.
  • Develop and provide oversight of a competitive peer-reviewed process for soliciting, strategically prioritizing, and funding research, monitoring, modeling and other science projects;
  • Provide input to the Executive Director in developing biennial implementation strategies; and
  • Offer an ecosystem-wide perspective on the science work being conducted in Puget Sound and by the Partnership.

Science Panel appointments will be four-year terms. Science Panel members may be reappointed after their initial term but no member may serve longer than 12 years.

A key function of the Science Panel will be communicating scientific results to the public and policy makers. Panel members should be currently engaged in the interaction of science and policy on a professional level. Members should also be familiar with the implementation of science and have recent experience in applied science and research. Science Panel members must be prepared to commit sufficient time to fulfill the duties
of the Panel, including conducting scientific analysis and review, writing up findings, conclusions and recommendations, attending meetings, and communicating results to the Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, and the broader Puget Sound community. Science Panel members should expect to commit at least 10 hours per week (and more during weeks with Science Panel meetings) to the work of the Science
Panel. Panel members shall serve without compensation. However, members will be compensated for their travel expenses.

Criteria for Science Panel
Each member must meet the criteria:

  1. Knowledge, recognized expertise and achievement in a relevant discipline, which could include but is not limited to natural sciences – such as terrestrial and marine ecology, wildlife biology, genetics, toxicology, fisheries, hydrology, oceanography, climate sciences, river geomorphology, epidemiology; social sciences – such as land use planning, resource economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, institutional analysis; and engineering.
  2. A demonstrated ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team setting.
  3. Strong communication skills.
  4. Clear understanding of the distinction between policy decisions and the scientific analyses/conclusions that can be used to guide policy decisions.
  5. Objectivity, flexibility and independent thinking.
  6. Hold a scientist or management position with recent hands-on research experience.

Each member should have experience in one or both of the following:

  1. 1. A record of scientific achievement documented by contributions to peer-reviewed literature or other evidence of success in creative scientific endeavor.
  2. Experience in ecosystem modeling, risk assessment, decision support, social marketing or other application of science and engineering in support of ecosystem recovery.
  3. A demonstrated ability to inform policy-makers so they are able to forge creative solutions to complex management problems.

Process for Appointment to the Science Panel
The Partnership is soliciting nominations for the Partnership Science Panel. Selfnominations are encouraged. The WSAS will evaluate all nominations to ensure that they meet the selection criteria provided above. A subcommittee of Leadership Council members, Ecosystem Coordination Board, and staff will evaluate the applicants using evaluation criteria developed by the Science Panel and provide the top names to the Leadership Council. The Leadership Council will make the final appointments of members to the Science Panel.

Nominees with recognized expertise in fields and disciplines of science directly related to the recovery of Puget Sound will be considered for appointment to the Science Panel. Nominees may include scientists associated with federal, state and local agencies, tribes, businesses, environmental organizations and institutions of education (including K-12, colleges and universities).

There are two options for application of a candidate for consideration by the Partnership:

  1. Self-nomination: Candidates interested in submitting themselves for consideration to the Science Panel must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should indicate why the candidate is interested in this position and how the candidate meets the criteria identified above (up to 2 pages). Candidates must also submit contact information for three individuals who support their nomination.
  2. Nominate a candidate: To submit the name of an individual for consideration to the Science Panel, a letter of support for the candidate indicating how he/she meets the criteria listed above must be submitted (up to 2 pages). In addition, contact information for two additional individuals who support the nomination of the candidate. Contact information for the candidate must be included.

Application Submittal Guidelines
Submit electronic or hard copies of materials described above by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2009 to:

Puget Sound Partnership
Science Panel Nominations
Box 40900
Olympia WA 98504-0900
Applications@psp.wa.gov

An email will be sent confirming that the information has been received.

For questions on the Science Panel appointment process, please contact Scott Redman, Puget Sound Partnership at (360) 725-5448; email at
scott.redman@psp.wa.gov

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