FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 REGIONAL LAND USE LEAD

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER 3
 Habitat Program
 Mill Creek, Washington

This position provides technical assistance, consultation, and recommendations to regional teams regarding land use planning actions.

Land use planning is primarily the work of local government entities who are statutorily required by the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) to develop and implement Comprehensive Plans, Critical Area Ordinances (CAOs), and Shoreline Master Programs (SMP) that designate and protect habitat while pursuing coexistence with human infrastructure.

Skagit morning – Photo Credit: Larry West

With your experience, you will provide planning solutions that fill the gap between existing plan effectiveness and meeting fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation needs.

We are seeking a candidate who will provide superior customer service to WDFW Habitat Program staff in support of land use planning and project-level technical assistance, and engagement in local planning efforts.

Shoreline armoring removal – Photo Credit: Theresa Mitchell

Our Regional Land Use Lead will,

• Provide consultation to the Regional Habitat Program Manager and regional teams regarding strategic technical assistance, insights, and observations on effectiveness and implementation of land use plans and actions relative to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation, including but not limited to Comprehensive Plans, Shoreline Master Programs, Updates and Amendments, Critical Area Ordinance Updates, growth boundary updates.
• Strategically engage local jurisdictions to provide insights and observations on plan effectiveness. 
• Coordinate the implementation of Best Available Science in local planning efforts.
• Serve as the Region’s GMA, SMA, and related land use issues subject matter expert to provide technical assistance in regional land use forums to achieve WDFW conservation goals.
• Develop a thorough understanding of local land use plans and actions and analyze their effects on regional fish, wildlife, and habitat priorities in order to be able to recommend practices that will avoid, minimize, or compensate for impacts to those priorities.
• Stay abreast of any data regarding status and trends of local fish, wildlife, and habitats, including any available watershed health indicators.
• Coordinate with other agencies and local governments to build understanding and consensus around land use plans and actions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Continuously help to educate and support Habitat Program Headquarters’ and Regional staff during the implementation of newly updated comprehensive plan updates.
• Serve in a leadership role in the Regional Operations Team, building rapport and a positive approach around land use engagement within the Agency.
• Apply project management skills to successfully deliver products and services.
• Perform other administrative duties as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Office setting that includes reading, writing, phone, and computer use.
• Schedule:
  1. Monday through Friday, core hours from 8:00 to 4:30.
  2. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules.
  3. Some opportunities for alternative work schedules may exist.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Some travel and overnight stays may be required.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Telephone, computer, smart phone, video conferencing, and standard office equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Provides technical assistance to both regional biologists and external Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) users.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

• Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in one of the following:
  1. Land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning.
  2. Natural resource management.
  3. Land use or environmental law.
  4. Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
  5. Or closely related field.

And

Knowledge of:

• Washington State planning principles, laws (including GMA and SMA), policies, and programs regarding land use and landscape conservation and how these affect fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State.
• Principles of project management and staff leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience working with local governments in Washington to develop and/or implement land use plans, policies, and/or actions in the context of GMA and SMA.
• Demonstrated ability to apply conceptual thinking and objectivity to situations and analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply department and state policies to lead major program activities and staff to expected results.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes through agreements, consensus building, negotiation, and facilitation on behalf a governmental agency or non-governmental organization.
• Experience and 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.
• Master’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, natural resource management, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field and two (2) years of professional experience land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning and/or conservation and/or program development.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a result of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) issued on August 9, 2021, all Washington State Agencies are requiring employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of your employment. Pursuant to this mandate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor prior to your first day of work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

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. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

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.

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

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 Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

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, 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 

• 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.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities 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.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

*Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks. 

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