See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3193135/environmental-planner-5-forest-habitats-section-manager-permanent-08686-21

Duties

Our Forest Habitats Section Manager, 

Identifies and resolves major forest health and management issues that affect the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat through coordination and consultation with WDFW staff, partners, and stakeholders that manage forests (whether federal, state, local, tribal, or private).

          Tasks Include: 

• Collaborating with the state natural resource caucus, tribal stakeholders, and other partners on the Forest Practices Board Policy Committee, and using collaborative skills, forest expertise, and experience to secure fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation and enhancement outcomes. 
• Addressing forest health and management issues as appropriate to raise awareness of, and develop solutions that address fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation. 
• Coordinating and building collaborative relationships with other state agencies, tribal and local governments, and landowners to magnify support for forest management plans, policies, and actions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats, particularly when those decisions involve or may lead to negotiations, appeals, or other legal proceedings.

Manage the Habitat Program’s Forest Habitats Section to implement highly complex environmental resource plans, programs, policies, and regulations related to forest practices.

          Tasks Include:

• Identifying the work priorities of the Section in collaboration with Section staff and others, using the policies and priorities of the department Strategic Plan and Habitat Program Business Plan, and the principles of the Conservation Initiative.
• Successfully delivering on the work priorities of the Section through the management of financial resources, including grants and contracts, using department budget and contract applications and project management skills in order to meet contract requirements (including reporting). 
• Providing excellent supervision to Section staff, including clear performance expectations and professional development opportunities, in order to contribute to their success and job satisfaction, and the recruitment and retention of quality employees. 
• Providing training and technical assistance to Section employees and the department’s regional biologists using forest management expertise, experience, and readily available and/or customized training and guidance materials to assure consistent conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, and superior customer service. 
• Increasing and improving the understanding of and reliance on WDFW data, tools, and technical assistance to secure fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation and enhancement outcomes from forest management through outreach to existing and new forest management customers using excellent communication skills, customer feedback, and a variety of forums.

Develop and recommend forest management approaches and implementation plans for the department and the state that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats.

          Tasks Include:

• Reviewing proposed legislation and/or responding to legislative assignments that would affect forest management in order to identify potential effects on the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats. 
• Coordinating with the Wildlife and Fish Programs to develop both landscape and site-specific management approaches that achieve inter-program and agency goals and objectives for fish and wildlife protection and recovery having a nexus to forested habitats.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  1. Work is primarily office work, driving, and occasional field work, requiring travel to meetings, site visits, workshops, and forums throughout Washington State.
• Schedule: 
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with some evening and weekend work possible. 
• Travel Requirements:
  1. 10%, about 2 days a month
  2. Requires travel to meetings, site visits, and workshops and forums throughout the State of Washington. 
  3. Must maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Telephone, computer, smart phone, videoconferencing, and standard office equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Responsible for legislative, contentious issue resolution, and leaders of major stakeholder interaction. 
• Other:
  1. Provide technical direction to internal and external program and Agency professional staff involving complex or controversial studies or projects. 
  2. May have policy level negotiation, interaction, and discussion with other Agencies at both the State and Federal level. 

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

          AND 

Please Note: 

       Knowledge of:

1. Forest management techniques, laws, policies, and programs (including Washington forest practices rules, Forest and Fish Law, habitat conservation plans associated with forest practices activities, fish passage laws, WDFW’s hydraulic code rules, and federal forest land planning programs) and how these affect and/or enable fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State.
2. Principles of leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

1. Develop and manage a budget, including various financial resources.
2. Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in writing & spoken word.
3. Assemble, organize, and provide leadership to and oversight of multi-disciplinary teams assigned to resolve major policy issues, develop legislation, and initiate implementation of new programs & laws.

In addition, must possess and maintain the following behavioral competencies: 

Leadership 

• Demonstrated leadership skills by leading through example.
• Exercises effective delegation supported by identification of skills, abilities, and leadership qualities of staff. 

Communications effectiveness 

• Conveys clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others. 
• Executes strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills with, at times, disparate partners, stakeholders, and audiences. 

Adaptability/flexibility 

• Adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve successful solutions and results in dynamic situations.
• Manages and implements change in a way that reduces the concern experienced by others.

Customer focus 

• Knows his/her customers and their expectations; anticipates, assesses, and responds timely to changing customer needs.
• Consistently goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers implement complete solutions.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Must Maintain a Valid Driver’s License. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

AND 

Ability to:

1. Interpret and apply department and state policies in order to recommend courses of action that address issues; balance the analysis, wisdom, experience and perspective of self and others; and lead major program activities and staff to expected results. 
2. Supervise and mentor staff, including setting clear expectations, achieving the desired results, and coaching staff to improve performance to maximize desired outcomes and results. 
3. Build partnerships and consensus, and to facilitate cooperative activities with diverse individuals.

Experience in:

1. Applying knowledge of fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, habitat needs, and potential impacts, and recommend likely remedies.
2. Working with or for forestry proponents, stakeholders, or regulators to successfully develop and/or implement forest management plans and solutions that protect fish and wildlife resources while maintaining working forests.
3. Developing and conveying clear, timely, and persuasive messages both verbally and in writing that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.

Supplemental Information

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 letters will not be accepted).
• Current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:   https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

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:

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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. (ASPIRE)