Assistant to the Region Manager

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The South Puget Sound Region is excited to announce an opening for the Assistant to the Region Manager.  If you enjoy working with people and solving challenging issues in a team environment this job may be for you.  Do you have a passion for safety?  Do you thrive on developing systems to ensure the smooth operation of business?  Then come work with the South Puget Sound Management Team.

Providing confidential administrative support for the South Puget Sound Region Manager you will be entrusted with oversight of the human resources functions in the region.  You will be the region expert responsible for developing and ensuring compliance with region business practices for Public Disclosure, Records Management, Constituent Correspondence, and Safety Implementation programs.  You will represent the Region Manager speaking to stakeholders, local government, and in resolving disputes with landowners, neighbors, and the public.

Who are we looking for?

The right candidate has:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information.
• Working knowledge of office organization and office management principles, and have demonstrated ability to maintain a well-organized office, files and routine.
• Experience and strong competencies in verbal and graphic communications skills; including writing, speaking and graphic depiction of data, field sites and concepts.
• Basic exposure to land management, wildland fire program and/or camps program, and forest practices program (each within DNR or another organization).
• Experience in and ability to function effectively as member of a team in a fast-paced work environment. Must identify experience in establishing priorities, managing work flow, tracking projects and establishing deadlines.
• Experience working with the public.
• Experience in and demonstrated interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Basic exposure to public disclosure processes.

Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function.  Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years. Travel outside the region will be infrequent. But there will be in-region travel to meetings and/or the field, and trips approximately once or twice a year to Olympia. May also travel to the other regions, but this will be rare.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree
• Possess a working knowledge of the principles of Human Resource Management.
• Working knowledge of the laws governing public records and records management systems.
• Two or more years of experience working in an office environment.
• Two or more years of supervision experience.
• Experience working across multiple programs or multiple project areas.
• Demonstrated interest in work place safety.
• Experience working in or directly with DNR land management.
• Experience working in or directly with DNR Fire Program and/or Camps Program.
• Experience working in or directly with DNR’s Forest Practices Program.
• Basic understanding of safety communication processes within organizations.

The Location

One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. This position works out of the South Puget Sound Region office located in Enumclaw, WA, approximately 45 minutes southeast of Seattle Washington in King County. Enumclaw is an outdoor enthusiasts dream and known as “The Gateway to Mt. Rainier” with easy access to world class skiing, hiking, climbing, hunting and fishing. Not only will you work in a great community you will work in a wonderful region. The South Puget Sound Region spans King, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, and parts of Snohomish, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. The region includes 359,524 acres of state forest, agriculture, urban, and conservation lands, and the staff oversee forest practices on approximately 2.5 million acres and leads wildfire prevention and fighting efforts on 1.9 million acres of state and private forestland.

Why work for DNR?

At DNR, we value public service, innovation and creative problem solving, safety and well-being, and leadership and teamwork. At DNR you’ll support the vision of a sustainable future by using your skills to protect and manage the state’s natural resources for both current and future generations. As a DNR employee, you’ll work with the public’s interest in mind as we manage more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. But managing lands is only half of our story. We house the Washington Geological Survey, a dynamic program that is the primary source of geological products and services in support of decision making in Washington. We also protect other public resources such as fish, wildlife, water, and provide public access to outdoor recreation. Two of our largest and most important state-wide resource protection responsibilities are fire prevention and suppression, and overseeing forest practices.

We are nearly 1,500 employees strong and dedicated to making DNR a great place to work. Our mission is to serve Washington’s lands and communities; build strong and healthy rural communities; enhance forest health and wildfire management; strengthen the health and resilience of our lands and waters; and increase public engagement and commitment to our public lands and resources. In partnership with citizens and governments, we provide innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life.  At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally, economically and socially for current and future generations.

What makes DNR a great place to work?

• Mobile work
• Infants at work program
• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Work/life balance
• Leadership development opportunities
• Educational aid and career development stipends
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Application Process

To be considered you must apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2860278/assistant-to-the-region-manager/apply. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position. You must attach the following:

• A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
• A resume including the names of three to five professional references

Carefully review your application materials before submitting. If you fail to submit the required documents or complete the entire online application, you may no longer be considered for the position by the supervisor.

Application Status – once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account.  Finalists for the position will be contacted by the hiring manager directly. Recruitment may be extended depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool.

Questions?  Please contact Scott Sargent at 360-480-9704, scottsargent@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, pregnancy/parental status, genetic information, military status, political affiliation, criminal history or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.  Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1139.  DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.