Baker Recreation Trails Steward, Natural Resource Specialist 2
Recruitment #2021-02-P373
This is a Full-time, Project, Represented position.
Project is thru October 2021 and anticipated to be extended.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Northwest Region. The Baker Recreation Trails Steward position provides maintenance and operations management, expertise and leadership on DNR uplands managed for our trust beneficiaries in beautiful Northwest Region.   Sustaining long-term ecosystem protection and productivity is achieved through skillful and thoughtful assessments and proactive implementation of recreation standards to manage and enhance public use while assessing and correcting areas of concern on heavily used landscapes.  This position helps Northwest Region and the Baker Recreation Manager achieve standards for public use on selected landscapes through on-going site evaluations and maintenance, independent and team oriented decision making, planning out work schedules and coordinating volunteer and contract work parties. The incumbent provided field expertise for the District’s recreation program, including construction and installation of infrastructure, maintenance of facilities, scheduling of volunteers, assistance with event permitting and management and the oversight of Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew projects within an assigned geographic area.  In addition, the incumbent assists the recreation manager with applications for grant funding, including presentations and expenses tracking.  This position operates under a multitude of DNR policies and Washington State laws including the Habitat Conservation Plan (1997), Policy for Sustainable Forests (2006), relevant WAC’s, and the Multiple Use Concept (RCW 79.10.120).

Responsibilities:
Provide professional level project managment for trail and infrastructure development, improvement and repair. This includes professional level planning, coordination and supervision of work parties to build, improve and repair trail systems, trail heads and infrastructure like bridges, kiosks and covered shelters in developed recreation areas.  Tracking expenses and budget allocations are required.

• Research, analyze and assess needs of recreational infrastructure, including evaluating safety of current infrastructure and environmental impacts for decisions to improve/repair or to delay work.   Consult with region and division staff and make informed recommendations for the recreation program.  Provide analysis and recommendations for changes to usage across the landscape.  Schedule and implement repairs and maintenance as needed.
• As directed by the district recreation manager, take the lead in holistic landscape planning efforts as they relate to public use and recreation on state trust lands within assigned area. Special emphasis on access and infrastructure within a working forest context.  This requires a tremendous amount of coordination with forestry staff and communication with organized user groups, neighbors and the public.
• Create a plan and make recommendations to the district recreation manager for decommissioning of unsanctioned recreational infrastructure, including outreach to organized user groups and the public.
• Coordinate planning efforts with the district recreation manager to assess and maintain or improve and enhance the trail systems and trail heads at developed recreation sites.  This includes communicating/coordinating with unit foresters as timber sales are planned and active timber operations occur across these working forest landscapes, serving as a point of contact between timber operations and the recreating public.

Provide grant develoment assistance for the district’s recreation program.

• Assist district recreation manager in analyzing, planning, drafting, review and completing of grant applications. Create professional level documentation including SEPA, maps, project specifications, and graphics, etc. to meet grant application requirements. Assist region and division staff with compiling, reviewing, and editing project information needed to complete grant applications. Effectively communicate with division grant coordinator and other division staff to successfully complete grant applications.
• Assist with the creation and delivery of the district’s formal grant application presentations.
• Perform as a project manager for successful implementation. This includes planning for permits, overseeing implementation, contract compliance as needed, and tracking volunteer match for grants.

Follow standards and track needs and accomplishments for the maintenance of recreation facilities.

• Responsible for overseeing and supervising maintenance of developed recreation facilities and infrastructure within the assigned geographic area, utilizing all available resources.
• Within budget authority, monitor contracts for sanitation services on developed recreation sites and ensure proper sanitation for expected use.
• Evaluate, recommend, address current needs and improvements and supervise and guide crews that carry out these operations.
• Ensure public access to facilities and trails and maintain and/or improve their condition in a sustainable and safe manner.
• Communicate and work with other recreation managers, district managers and the state lands assistant sharing information, resources and equipment, in support of public use and overall program development.
• Complete documentation for damage and communicate to appropriate staff (including LEOs). Schedule and implements repairs and maintenance as needed.
• Make recommendations to the district recreation manager for development, improvements, maintenance or decommissioning of recreational infrastructure.

Supervise work crews and volunteers work parties.

• Oversee WCC or other contracted resources and volunteer work parties as necessary to complete projects.
• Maintain safe working environment for self, crews and volunteers.
• Enforce agency safety guidelines as well as L&I and OSHA rules related to employee and volunteer activities in the workplace.

Develop and foster collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to find creative and innovative solutions.  Represents the department’s interests when interacting with the public where there are sensitive, complex issues, including timber harvest activities.  Acts as the department’s representative in reacting to constituent or business partner inquiries.

• Build and maintain public/private partnerships with regional recreational and outdoor interest groups.  Work collaboratively with local recreation groups on common issues and programs.  Provide information and education to groups about the department and its programs and issues.
• Coordinate the distribution of recreation information to the public through placement of signage, outreach to user groups, and broadcasting information using division communication staff.
• Assist region recreation staff and division staff in the creation, development and publication of informational brochures and signs.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation, forestry, natural resources, geography or environmental science and one year of experience in a natural resource or outdoor recreation field OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• At least six months experience working with multiple organizations, stakeholders and/or agencies in a collaborative environment.
• At least six months experience working collaboratively with volunteers, user groups, and the general public on natural resources related projects, including outreach and education.
• Demonstrated communication skills (written and orally).
• Experience using GPS and basic GIS programs.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates may be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in outdoor recreation management or other natural resources management and two years of professional program development and management experience.
• At least one year of experience supervising and evaluating employee or work crew performance.
• Experience writing planning documents, preparing cost estimates, overseeing and coordinating design work, negotiating with public officials and diverse agency staff and recording accurate field notes.
• Experience delivering presentations to agency staff, committees or to the public.
• Experience using power tools and common trail maintenance equipment.
• Must be able to cover reasonable distances per day in the field on moderate to very difficult terrain. Must be willing to work alone and in remote terrain.
• A basic understanding of forest management activities and State trust land responsibilities.

Location: 
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Sedro Woolley. For more information on this area visit, https://www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us/ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, the incumbent is expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Work/life balance
• Leadership development opportunities
• Educational aid and career development stipends
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• 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.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veteran’s wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

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Questions?  Please contact Hyden McKown at 360-854-5181, Hyden.McKown@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov