Salary: $56,676.00 – $76,188.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Closing Date: 8/6/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Are you interested in a career that allows you to serve small forest landowners by compensating them for trees they are required to leave under Forest Practices Rules? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for a Natural Resource Specialist 3 to oversee the process of conservation easement acquisition in the Small Forest Landowner Office conservation easement programs.

Responsibilities:
The position provides senior professional guidance and information to small forest landowners in implementing the Forestry Riparian Easement Program (FREP) and the Rivers and Habitat Open Space Program (RHOSP), independently performs and oversees all work in the field and office tasks involved in the valuation and acquisition of riparian easements for DNR. Directly supervises five staff in the successful implementation of the Forestry Riparian Easement Program and the River sand Habitat Open Space Program.

  • Conducts quality control assessments, ensures consistency in the preparation of conservation easements and ensures easement documents are fully and accurately completed before management signature.
  • Coordinates with DNR Engineering Division on legal descriptions and land survey projects for conservation easement transactions.
  • Coordinates with Property and Acquisition Specialist 2 to ensure property titles for potential easement transactions are free of unacceptable encumbrances and liabilities.
  • Oversees the easement valuation processes for the programs by gathering and analyzing timber data and timber market information.
  • Conducts annual compliance checks on FREs and develops statistically sound monitoring, evaluation and learning plan in consultation with supervisor and division management. Requests easement applicant eligibility information from WA Dept. of Revenue
  • Coordinates with DNR Title and Records Office to request property documentation or adjust parcel numbers.
  • Oversees the preparation of easement acquisition closing documents for the Conservation Easement Program Manager’s review prior to FP Management review and Division Manager or Deputy Supervisor’s approval and signatures.
  • Coordinates with Property & Acquisition Specialist to ensure all transaction tasks for the conservation easement transactions in SFLO are completely in a timely manner.
  • Ensures easements are properly recorded with County Auditor’s office.
  • Coordinates with Conservation Easement Program Manager to develop and update training materials and guidance documents
  • Completes work – including identifying qualifying timber, preparing maps, documents and valuations – associated with assigned easements.

Required Qualifications: 

  • A Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource science/management or closely related field OR four years of experience practicing forest management skills and supervising staff.
  • At least 2 years’ experience in a leadership role or experience leading technical staff.
  • Experience with general forest management theory and practices.
  • College course in ARC/INFO and/or ARCGIS or six (6) months of experience in cartography using ARC/INFO and/or ARCGIS.
  • Ability to gather coordinates using Global Positioning System (GPS) in a forest setting and apply this data to maps using Cartographic software.
  • Proficient experience in Microsoft Office business support software (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.).
  • Ability to compose clear, concise and technically correct documents; competence in selecting the most effective and meaningful written form to express information; and convey information as simply as possible and logically organize information.
  • Position Specific Competencies: 
    • Integrity and Relationship Building
    • Communication
    • Accountability
    • Flexibility
    • Awareness
    • Innovation and Creativity
    • Dispute Resolution
  • DNR Core Competencies: 
    • Personal Accountability 
    • Value Others 
    • Compassionate Communication 
    • Inspire Others 
    • Commitment to Excellence 

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

  • Work is performed approximately 40% in the field and 60% in the office. With approval from the Appointing Authority, tele-working for a portion of work time is an option. Long periods of computer work. Field work: walking on steep and uneven ground, driving on unimproved gravel roads in unfamiliar vehicles.
  • Majority of travel is local for offsite meetings, field work, workshops, or training opportunities. Occasional overnight travel (approx. 5 times/year) for field work, workshops, or training opportunities.
  • 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: 

  • Working knowledge and experience implementing the Forest Practices rules after 2001.
  • Highly motivated toward accomplishing set goals.
  • Convey messages clearly and persuasively.
  • Experience working with small forest landowners.

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/4130573/forestry-riparian-easement-program-lead-forester-natural-resource-specialist-3

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