- Description
Applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be held as qualified applicants are identified, the position may be filled, and the recruitment closed. Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The first review will be May 12, 2021.
Are you passionate about fish and wildlife conservation and increasing opportunities to work with private landowners to achieve it?
This position serves as a senior planner within WDFW who works at national, state and local levels to collaboratively identify, prioritize, develop and support the implementation of agricultural incentive programs that conserve and restore fish, wildlife and ecosystems throughout Washington State. Working within WDFW’s Landscape Conservation Section, this position is responsible for: acting as WDFW’s primary liaison to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) regarding the Federal Farm Bill, as well as state entities regarding incentives and agricultural practices that affect fish and wildlife on private lands; supporting on-the-ground delivery of incentive programs to private landowners through an existing team of regionally deployed private lands biologists; proactively supporting partnerships and the development tools that link funding opportunities to on-the-ground delivery; and coordinating across the agency’s programs to effectively integrate its collective values into this Fam Bill and agricultural incentive delivery.
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for, then come join a collaborative team of colleagues and partners that works with private landowners to solve complex conservation challenges!
With that in mind,
Picture yourself contributing to landscape scale fish and wildlife conservation in Washington State by working with a team of wildlife biologists, planners, and partners to deliver private land incentive programs that build, maintain and protect habitat, while also helping to develop national fish and wildlife conservation policy for inclusion in Federal Farm Bill legislation.
This is an opportunity to represent WDFW in national and state forums focused on conserving fish and wildlife through incentive programs , including the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Agricultural Conservation Committee, the State Technical Advisory Committee of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the NRCS State Wildlife Subcommittee..
The optimal candidates have strong communication, relationship building, organizational, time management, and decision-making skills, and familiarity with Federal Farm Bill legislation and delivery.
We are seeking candidates with demonstrated skills representing WDFW values of accountability, service, professionalism, integrity, respect, and empathy.
Duties
KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Acts as the primary liaison with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) regarding the Federal Farm Bill and agricultural practices that affect fish and wildlife on private lands, including improvement of existing or creation of new conservation incentive programs.
Tasks include:
- Serve as the WDFW representative on the State Technical Advisory Committee for NRCS, and as a co-chair of the NRCS State Wildlife Subcommittee.
- Coordinate with and represent WDFW across programs in representing WDFW in state and national agricultural forums.
- Support and encourage WDFW Regional engagement in NRCS Local Working Groups.
- Identify opportunities to create new incentive programs through Federal Farm Bill that will promote fish and wildlife conservation in Washington State.
- Coordinate WDFW input on NRCS and FSA incentive program development and applications from Washington State.
- Serve as a state representative to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on the Agricultural Conservation Committee and help develop national fish and wildlife policy for inclusion in Federal Farm Bill legislation.
- Advocate for WDFW and fish and wildlife conservation on Federal Farm Bill issues. Coordinate with Director’s Office staff and Wildlife and Habitat Program leadership to articulate agency position and response to Farm Bill and related legislation, policies and rules. Build and maintain close working relationship with WDFW’s Shared Stewardship Coordinator, Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator, and Federal Coordinator.
- Build and maintain relationships with WACD staff and attend annual meetings.
- Coordinate with non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders on private lands fish and wildlife conservation opportunities.
Serve as WDFW lead in efforts to utilize, manage and track implementation of key funding opportunities for agricultural incentives in Washington State.
Tasks include:
- Assist in preparation and implementation of Federal Aid Grants.
- Manage contracts with NRCS and other partners that support private lands fish and wildlife conservation.
- Develop and write funding proposals, contracts, and reports.
- Support partnerships in more effective fish and wildlife conservation by raising awareness about and assisting in the creation of tools that link funding opportunities to on-the-ground delivery.
- Compile data and information to respond to legislative requests.
Serve as an expert in translating agricultural incentive programs and policies into on-the-ground habitat restoration and management implementation.
Tasks include:
- Support Wildlife Diversity Division and other agency staff in development of land management policies, MOUs and conservation incentive tools (such as Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, Safe Harbor Agreements, etc.).
- Provide policy implementation expertise and tools for on-the-ground delivery of agricultural incentives on private lands.
- Communicate and meet regularly with WDFW’s Private Lands Program staff to understand on-the-ground needs and priorities.
Actively contribute as a team member of Landscape Conservation Section and Wildlife Diversity Division.
Tasks include:
- Prepare for and participate in regular meetings with section manager and section.
- Attend Diversity Division meetings and contribute to Division dialogue and success.
- Find and create opportunities to work with other Section and Division staff to meet objectives.
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Collaboratively develop and execute consistent communication and project management strategies.
Integrate with cross-program staff and leadership statewide to raise awareness of Farm Bill and other agricultural incentive issues and opportunities
Tasks include:
- Maintain regular communication with Director’s Office staff on national Farm Bill movement and WDFW position/response.
- Find and create opportunities to interact regularly with Regional Management Teams.
- Find and create opportunities to interact regularly with regional cross-program staff, such as through regular presence in regional offices and attendance at district team meetings.
Other duties as assigned.
Tasks include:
- Represent WDFW on Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee.
- Work with supervisor to prioritize other key tasks that may emerge.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Duties are performed in an office setting that includes reading, writing, phone, and computer use.
Schedule:
- Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though some opportunities for alternative work schedule may exist.
- Some night and weekend work as needed.
Travel Requirements:
- Regular throughout the state is expected to maintain coordination with Regional Management Teams, Private Lands Program staff, and Landscape Conservation Section. Travel expectation is up to 40 percent.
Tools and Equipment:
- Telephone, computer, smart phone, videoconferencing, and standard office.
Licenses:
- A valid unrestricted driver’s license.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in environmental science, natural resource management or planning, environmental policy and planning, agricultural sciences, fish and wildlife biology and conservation, ecology, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
AND
Three years-professional experience in participating in, building and facilitating partnerships, and planning and implementing conservation projects within environmental science, natural resource management or planning, environmental policy and planning, agricultural sciences, fish and wildlife biology and conservation, ecology, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3.
Qualified candidates must demonstrate the following competencies:
- Basic knowledge of: principles of conservation biology and natural resource management science and policy, including a focus on the nexus between agricultural practices and land management/habitat restoration; laws, policies and programs concerning federal and state environmental resources and incentives; governmental administrative structure at local, state and federal levels; environmental, social and other problems affecting development of local and state environmental resource programs; methods and objectives natural resource planning; effective project management.
- Proven ability to interpret and translate natural resource and land management principles and science, and natural resource policy, to a variety of audiences.
- Experience implementing specific national and/or state agricultural incentive programs and policies.
- Proven ability to lead and effectively manage complex projects to successful completion and associated ability and knowledge to assemble, organize and provide oversight of multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience in and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships within and across organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including addressing large groups, writing effectively, and tailoring communication appropriately to audience.
- Ability to gather and analyze data and information, reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
- Proficiency in basic GIS skills (ArcMap, data display and manipulation).
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Advanced degree in environmental science, natural resource management or planning, environmental policy and planning, agricultural sciences, fish and wildlife biology and conservation, ecology, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field
AND
Four years-professional experience in building and facilitating partnerships and planning and implementing conservation projects within environmental science, natural resource management or planning, environmental policy and planning, agricultural sciences, fish and wildlife biology and conservation, ecology, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
A Master’s degree will substitute for two years and a Ph.D. degree will substitute three years of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in environmental science, natural resource management or planning, environmental policy and planning, agricultural sciences, fish and wildlife biology and conservation, ecology, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field, and candidate has the following experience:
- Leading and working with multiple stakeholder collaborative landscape conservation programs.
- Applying knowledge of fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, and habitat needs, potential impacts, and likely remedies.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and maintain relationships with coworkers and partners.
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus and negotiate agreements as a representative of an organization.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and convey clear, timely, and persuasive messages in writing and spoken word that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
- Demonstrated understanding of human dimensions of natural resources management.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
In order to successfully apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Respond to the supplemental questions
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
UNION – WAFWP:
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and are encouraged to apply.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.
This recruitment is to
*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks)
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