Salary: $56,676.00 – $76,188.00 Annually
Location: Skagit County – Sedro Woolley, WA
Job Type: Project (limited duration)
Closing Date: 9/14/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Help advance DNR’s efforts to support habitat restoration, salmon recovery, and watershed health in the Snohomish watershed, an important Puget Sound river basin home to nine salmonid species. This new position will create dedicated capacity in the Orca-Straits Aquatic District to implement land management, stakeholder engagement, and project management to support habitat restoration and protection in the Snohomish basin. This work will help implement DNR’s Snohomish Watershed Resilience Action Plan (WRAP), a watershed scale effort to promote salmon recovery, water quality, forest health, and vibrant communities. WRAP is an ambitious plan for a “trees to seas” approach to watershed health in Watershed Resource Inventory Area 7 (WRIA 7). The work within the WRAP directly supported by this position aligns to agency priorities in salmon recovery, environmental justice, and climate resilience.

Specifically, this position supports the Orca-Straits District’s aquatics restoration and land management work within the Snohomish River watershed. They will work independently to negotiate and manage land use authorizations on state-owned aquatic lands (SOAL) and otherwise support habitat restoration projects in the watershed. Additional duties include conducting stakeholder outreach; developing and maintaining effective intergovernmental relationships; engaging in regional restoration planning; and providing information regarding department laws and policies and guidance to the public and to other government entities pertaining to management of SOAL. They will interact with other district and region staff, division staff, restoration project managers, local, state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to accomplish their work. While this position is housed within the Orca-Straits Aquatic District, they will also work closely with the Snohomish Watershed Steward, the Aquatic Restoration Program team and staff from other DNR workgroups to advance WRAP priorities.

Responsibilities:
Support Habitat Restoration Efforts in Snohomish Watershed
Tasks include:

• Plan, develop, budget, oversee and directly manage implementation of Snohomish watershed (WRIA 7) restoration projects to meet objectives as assigned. Objectives include improving the quality and quantity of productive habitat on or directly impacting state-owned aquatic lands through restoration and enhancement of aquatic habitat. This will include applying for funding and managing grants and contracts as needed.

Aquatic Land Management
Tasks include:

• Independently negotiate and prepare land use authorizations for review and approval. Land use authorizations managed by this position will focus on projects relating to restoration and stewardship of state-owned aquatic lands in the Snohomish watershed to meet the goals of the WRAP.

Participate in WRAP Planning, Implementation, Outreach and Education
Tasks include:

• Provides Aquatic District support of the Watershed Resilience Action Plan by coordinating with and participating in regular meetings with the Snohomish Watershed Steward, Policy staff, and other members of the WRAP team. This may include strategic planning to advance programmatic goals, planning and prioritization of WRAP actions, reporting, and engaging with local partners to implement WRAP.
• Coordinate with the local restoration community as needed, with potential duties including: Drafting and implementing Memorandums of Understanding between local governments and/or other agencies, representing DNR at public meetings, outreach and engagement with Tribal co-managers, the Marine Resource Committee (MRC), salmon recovery partners, and the public.
• Conduct stakeholder outreach and education to WRIA 7 stakeholders and the public about restoration and land management of SOAL.

Support other WRAP related Aquatic Science and Management Efforts
Tasks include:

• Serve as an Orca-Straits District liaison to other Aquatic Resources Division programs and projects related to WRAP, including but not limited to the Snohomish Kelp and Eelgrass Protection Zone, the Acidification Nearshore Monitoring Network (ANeMoNe) station, and the Derelict Vessel Removal Program.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree AND two years of experience in environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, fisheries, wildlife science, marine science, environmental engineering, land use or environmental planning, or other relevant field.
  OR an equivalent combination or education and experience. 
• Experience working with natural resource management/environmental protection issues.
• Experience managing multiple complex tasks, setting workload priorities, and completing tasks on time.
• Communication skills – speaking and writing clearly and succinctly, using typical office software.
• DNR Core Competencies: 
  • Personal Accountability 
  • Value Others 
  • Compassionate Communication 
  • Inspire Others 
  • Commitment to Excellence 

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• The work environment is approximately 90% at a workspace/office and 10% in the field. Most fieldwork involves being on or near the water with the risk of falling in (use of personal floatation devices is mandatory in such locations.) Most fieldwork involves driving.
• Travel may be required to locations within the District or Olympia. Most travel is by car. Most travel requires less than two concurrent nights away. Overnight travel is generally less than two nights a month.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
  

Desired Qualifications: 

• The ability to apply knowledge of Washington fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, and habitat needs, potential impacts, and likely remedies.
• Knowledge and understanding of land use authorizations (leases, easements, licenses, etc.) and other legal instruments associated with land management.
• Experience with project management.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with contracts such as master contracts, public works contracts, and use authorizations.
• Knowledge of natural resource laws, policies, and programs and how these affect and/or enable fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State, and the ability to interpret and apply them in order to achieve expected results.
• Demonstrate sustained commitment to teamwork.
• Project and program management experience focused on restoration work typically involving ecological restoration and/or environmental engineering activities.

Application Requirements:

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov. 
• 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.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates that move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted via email from info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4167819/aquatic-restoration-manager-snohomish-watershed-nrs3