Salary: $70,800.00 – $95,184.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-7-7932-08910
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 07/12/2023
Closing Date: 7/26/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

The Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead is an interagency program, co-led by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources, that works to advance habitat protection and restoration in Puget Sound under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Explore the Strategic Initiatives of the Puget Sound National Estuary Program: https://pugetsoundestuary.wa.gov/.
  • Join the HSIL and improve habitat protection and restoration outcomes through the stewardship of our Habitat Implementation Strategies:
    • Floodplains and Estuaries
    • Land Development and Cover
    • Shoreline Armoring
    • Marine Vegetation
  • Lead strategic planning and implementation processes,
  • build and support effective partnerships,
  • inform targeted investments that advance priority needs

Responsibilities

  • Serve as an Implementation Strategy Lead through activities such as:
    • Convening partners to identify and advance specific management and policy objectives
    • Assembling and consulting technical and policy experts to determine priorities
    • Engaging the Puget Sound Management Conference Boards and the broader recovery community to advance research, policy, or financial objectives
  • Facilitate an interdisciplinary team to develop and guide the Implementation Strategies, with a focus on integrating Environmental Justice, Tribal Treaty Rights, and Climate Change considerations.
  • Communicate and coordinate HSIL activities with relevant state agency programs.
  • Provide Implementation Strategy vision and guidance on Request for Proposal processes and expert review for subaward development and management.
  • Coordinate with Implementation Strategy Leads from the Habitat, Stormwater, and Shellfish Strategic Initiative Leads, the Puget Sound Partnership, and the EPA on planning and adaptive management efforts  

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or public policy with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field (note: four years of experience in the above fields may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree)
    AND
    at least three years of professional experience in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or environmental policy.
    OR 
    an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  • Experience leading and facilitating an interdisciplinary team or work groups to achieve desired and productive outcomes.
  • Basic use of Microsoft Office programs (including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint)
  • DNR Core Competencies: 
    • Personal Accountability 
    • Value Others 
    • Compassionate Communication 
    • Inspire Others 
    • Commitment to Excellence 
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to present complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational
  • Ability to manage multiple work assignments and priorities on varied time scales
  • Strong organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency
  • Ability to seek and act on opportunities to improve, streamline, and re-invent work processes

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

  • Travel is required and is typically local or regional (Puget Sound-wide), to meet with partners, conduct business, or attend or provide training.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • A Master’s degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or public policy with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field (two years of professional experience in the above fields may substitute for a Master’s degree, if a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is also obtained)
    AND
    an additional three years of experience in these areas (or one year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3)
  • Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, to build rapport and partner with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, tribes, and the public regarding issues pertaining to habitat protection and restoration.  
  • Ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills
  • Knowledge of the Puget Sound Action Agenda and Puget Sound recovery goals.
  • 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.
  • Experience applying knowledge of Puget Sound fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, and habitat needs, potential impacts, and likely remedies.

Application Requirements

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
  • 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 may 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/4115456/hsil-implementation-strategy-lead-environmental-planner-4

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