Salary: $32,000.00 – $38,000.00 Annually
Location: Klickitat County – White Salmon, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-CRGC-002
Department: Columbia River Gorge Commission
Opening Date: 05/26/2023
Closing Date: 6/30/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Work Site
This position is located at the Gorge Commission’s office in White Salmon, Washington, with opportunities for a flexible work schedule and occasional telework.
This is a Part-Time position expecting to work approximately 20 hours per week:  Monday-Thursday 7AM-Noon and is eligible for health insurance and retirement benefits with the State of Washington.

Who we are
The Columbia River Gorge is world-renowned for its outstanding scenic beauty, natural resources, and recreation.  The sea-level chasm that the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains, and the dramatic diverse landscapes surrounding it, has created an internationally recognized treasured landscape.  We are part of a community rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. 
 
On November 17, 1986, Congress passed the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act which established the largest National Scenic Area (NSA) in the United States. The NSA is 85 miles long and encompasses over 292,500 acres in Oregon and Washington along the Columbia River with a mosaic of working landscapes, forests, towns, and protected areas.  Oregon and Washington established the bi-state Columbia River Gorge Commission in 1987 through an interstate compact to oversee the management of the NSA through land use planning, working in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and many Gorge communities. The Commission also works government to government with the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes.
 
Our agency is located in White Salmon, Washington, with an eight-member team of planners and other experts. The Commission develops and implements policies and programs that protect and enhance the scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the NSA, while encouraging economic vitality within existing urban areas and allowing economic development outside urban areas consistent with resource protection. The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff and provides an inclusive work environment where team members are fully supported and engaged.  

Vital Sign Indicators (VSI) and Climate Action Programs
In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, the Commission employs the VSI monitoring program to evaluate the long-term health of scenic, natural, cultural, and recreation resources, and local economies, of the National Scenic Area. Vital Sign Indicators are high-level measures that help us assess how well we are protecting resources through our land use policies. Building on the original 2009 VSI effort, the Gorge Commission has been working with partners on a comprehensive indicator update that integrates climate change impacts. Implementation of VSI monitoring is expected to begin in 2024. For more on VSI, visit https://www.gorgecommission.org/initiatives/vital-sign-indicators/.
 
In addition to monitoring work, the Gorge Commission recently adopted a Climate Change Action Plan, a guide to climate adaptation and mitigation in the National Scenic Area focused on the Commission’s regional land use role. Implementation of priority climate actions for 2023-2025 is underway with many partners across the National Scenic Area. For more on the Climate Change Action Plan, visit https://www.gorgecommission.org/initiatives/climate-change/.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Natural Resources Planner serves as the lead planner for natural resource and conservation issues on the Gorge Commission team. This position works closely with the Vital Sign Indicators Program Manager to support monitoring for VSI and Climate Action programs. In addition, the Natural Resources Planner is responsible for fostering positive regional relationships in Oregon and Washington and will assist with regional coordination among cities, counties, state and federal agencies, Columbia River Treaty Tribes, and non-governmental stakeholders.

Who we are looking for
The Columbia River Gorge Commission is now seeking an energetic, dynamic, and collaborative person to join the team as a Natural Resources Planner. This position serves as the lead planner for natural resource and conservation issues and will assist the Vital Sign Indicators (VSI) Program Manager with implementing long-term monitoring to evaluate the health of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and track progress on the Commission’s Climate Change Action Plan. In addition, this position assists the Executive Director and other Gorge Commission staff in building and maintaining relationships with all levels of government, tribes, businesses, communities, and diverse stakeholders. The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff and provides an inclusive work environment where team members are fully supported and engaged.

Duties
Planning and Policy Work

  • Serves as the lead expert on natural resources issues to support staff and provide technical assistance to NSA county planners with review and problem-solving in the permitting process. 
  • Reviews county land use decisions, state forest practices applications, and amendments to county land use ordinances for consistency with the National Scenic Area Management Plan natural resources protections. 
  • Tracks and provides input on relevant regional, state, and county natural resource planning efforts (e.g., state wildfire risk mapping, county shoreline planning, etc.).
  • Reviews natural resources policies and guidelines in the Management Plan and the Climate Change Action Plan and keeps current with scientific principles and trends that may influence future revisions to those plans.  
  • Assists with strategic planning, scoping, data collection and analysis, policy options and final policy development, and public participation for long-range planning.
  • Facilitates resolution of environmental and resource management issues arising from planning activities that are complex and sensitive. 
  • Provides consultation and technical assistance to agency management, cities, counties, Treaty Tribes, and state and federal agencies, and provides interstate and interagency coordination on complex natural resources policies to ensure compliance with National Scenic Area legal authorities.

Monitoring and Reporting

  • Coordinates with contributing partner organizations and agencies to gather existing data, analyze trends, and assists with developing reports for a multidisciplinary set of Vital Sign Indicators. Works with the GIS Manager to develop an online, public-facing VSI dashboard or Story Map as a reporting and outreach tool. 
  • Reviews, analyzes, prepares, and gives reports and presentations to the Executive Director, Gorge Commissioners, civic groups, and the public on NSA issues. 

Other

  • Represents the agency at conferences, seminars, and speaking events.
  • Safely operates a motor vehicle as needed to perform duties. 
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Work is performed mostly in office settings. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate instruments, computers, and various pieces of office equipment.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
 
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
 
The employee must be able to travel to and have mobility in other government offices and public spaces, and travel to and have mobility at non-public land locations that might involve uneven ground to conduct site inspections and assessments.

REQUIRED
*We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. We are committed to building a diverse staff. Most National Scenic Area planners have had the following qualifications:
 
A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, land use planning, geography, or a related field is desired. A Master’s degree is preferred.
AND
At least three years of relevant professional experience demonstrating experience with the essential functions and responsibilities listed above.
 
* A Master’s degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to lift/move/transfer up to 25 pounds.
  • Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
  • Qualification standards include a requirement that the individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  •  Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
  • Qualification standards include a requirement that the individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.

DESIRED
The ideal candidate will be self-directed and outcome oriented. The position requires the ability to build collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. 

  •  Ability to speak and write clearly, concisely, and effectively; ability to manage work assignments independently, efficiently, and effectively; and ability to shift work priorities quickly as needed to address urgent issues as they arise.  
  • Ability to work collaboratively as a team member in a small office and assist other staff as needed.  
  • Knowledgeable about current trends in resource management, conservation, and climate change principles. 
  • Experience and proficiency with organizing public forums, topic-related work groups, and other public engagement strategies.
  • Experience in building and maintaining relationships with tribal, federal, state, and local governments, business communities, non-governmental stakeholders, and individual applicants and landowners.
  • Ability to analyze and apply scientific information; observe and interpret trends.
  • Working knowledge of and experience using GIS applications to analyze data and communicate trends related to natural resources management. 
  • Experience developing outreach materials such as graphic publications, web-based surveys, and online mapping tools.
  • Prior experience working with local, state, or federal agencies, and tribal governments, preferably in Oregon or Washington. 
  • Proficient in Office 365. 
  • Knowledge of Spanish language.

Please Note the Following
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

  • Work is performed mostly in office settings. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate instruments, computers, and various pieces of office equipment.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to sit.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions that could be inclement and on uneven or rocky surfaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

How to Apply
In addition to completing the online application, please attach the following documents with your profile in order to be considered for this position:

  • A chronological resume outlining your experience to date.
  • A two-page letter of interest clearly and concisely describing how your knowledge, skills, and abilities align with the job duties and qualifications for the position and that provides concrete examples of directly related experience. 
  • A two to three-page writing sample related to a land use issue or a closely related field; and 
  • A list of at least 3 references who can endorse your work performance, technical skills, and knowledge.  *At least one of the references should be a former supervisor or a manager. (References may be attached or available to provide at the time of interview).

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4056103/natural-resource-planner-part-time-exempt

Natural Resource Planner (Part-Time) / Exempt description image