Lewis District Manager, WMS1
Recruitment #2021-04-1671
This is a Full-time, Permanent, Washington Management Services (WMS1), Non-represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you an experienced leader who can provide strategic direction at the operational level and have a passion for managing professional natural resources staff and multiple projects? Are you committed to working with forest management, land management and natural resource conservation? Are you committed to safe work practices and able to promote a culture of safety throughout professional natural resource professionals? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for an eager individual to fill their Lewis District Manager in the Pacific Cascade Region.

Responsibilities:
The Lewis District Manager is responsible for implementing the Department’s upland management activities on approximately 125,000 acres of state trust lands. This position works under the guidance of the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Forest Practice Rules, the Policy for Sustainable Forests, the Endangered Species Act, all applicable collective bargaining agreements for the positions supervised, and all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies, procedures, and guidelines. This position reports to the State Lands Assistant Region Manager and must interact with agency staff, the general public and other state, county, and federal agencies on a routine basis. The districts are responsible for implementing programmatic policy, procedures, guidance, and attaining tangible deliverables on the ground.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s or Master Degree in forest management/engineering, natural resources or closely related field, and 5 years of experience managing forest land and/or natural resources. –OR—Two year associate degree in an environmental or natural resources field, and 8 years of experience managing forest land and/or natural resources.
• 3 years of experience managing personnel and experience directing the activities of a diverse, professional staff.
• Maintaining a safe working environment and ensuring all communications and actions promulgate safety.
• Solid understanding of Trust Land management and principles, Habitat Conservation Plan, forest practice rules, Policy for Sustainable Forests, Sustainable Forestry Initiatives standards and trust management theory and principles.
• Forest engineering principles and methods, including fundamental harvest systems and road constructions standards.
• Principles and practices of the forestry profession as applied to the Northwestern United States. This includes fundamentals of: Silviculture, Northwest tree species, markets and economics, cruising methods, timber sale design, SEPA, managing competing vegetation, reforestation, invasive species, recreation, multiple use, water quality, watershed management, planning and basic principles of wildlife and aquatic species management.
• Facilitation, collaboration, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Broad multi-disciplinary experience of forest management field and staff operations
• Experience setting performance standards and expectations, training, developing, evaluating, coaching and documenting performance; Demonstrated ability to motivate and hold staff accountable using performance based recognition.
• Effective communication skills (both written and oral).
• Demonstrates high level of ethics and integrity.
• Effective relationship-building skills; Tact and diplomacy; Think, plan and manage creatively, tactically and strategically; Understand, interpret and implement broad department mission, goals, and policy; Integrate and direct the output of managers and supervisors in a collaborative manner; Influence the future direction, needs and roles of the region, agency and State; and Relate well on an interpersonal basis.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates may be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• A Bachelor’s or Master Degree in forest management/engineering or, natural resources or closely related field.
• 8 years of professional level experience with demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities in areas of land, resource and personnel management.
• 5 years of practical experience with Washington Forest Practices Act and Rules.
• 5 years of practical experience with the Department’s Habitat Conservation Plan.
• Practical experience with agency policies, practices, procedures, and tasks.
• Experience tracking budgets, grants and/or funding.
• Experience interacting effectively with diverse agency representatives and governmental entities or elected officials.
• Competent with computer software, including word processing and spreadsheet; project planning and oversight; familiar with multiple forestry tools and systems, including equipment and applications that enhance field productivity (GPS, GIS, and modeling systems).

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. Your office will be located in Chehalis. For more information on this area visit, https://www.ci.chehalis.wa.us/.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• 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, visit here to learn more
• 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 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.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress

Questions?  Please contact Steve Ogden at 360-751-3556, Steve.Ogden@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov