For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-environmental-planner-5—priority-habitats-and-species-phs-section-manager–permanent–05560-22-olympia-washington/2286786933?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular

Salary– $72,756.00 – $95,484.00 Annually

Picture yourself, developing and reviewing proposed legislation that would impact PHS’ ability to influence land use decisions. Identify potential effects on the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats of proposed legislation that would affect land use policy.

This is an opportunity to oversee the development of, or updates to, reliable, science-based information to be conveyed through PHS to land use decision makers and advisors. You will facilitate cross-programmatic coordination to ensure Fish and Wildlife program personnel are engaged early and often throughout the process.

With your experience, you will ensure statewide effectiveness of PHS services and utilize all sources of best available science in coordination with regional Habitat Program biologists and managers, to achieve statewide land-use and landscape conservation priorities.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, assembling, organizing, and overseeing multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency teams.

We are seeking a candidate who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Duties

Our PHS Section Manager, 

Facilitates land use decisions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitat: Manages the Priority Habitats and Species, and the modernization of workflows and tools of the Species Section to implement modernization of the system that synthesizes and delivers the agency’s fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities. Development and implement strategic and operational systems that support regional staff and local government planners.   Tasks include:

  • Develop and deliver a modernized PHS information dissemination system that includes training and technical assistance for the department’s regional biologists to assure consistent conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, and superior customer service including training materials for local government planners.
  • Facilitate and craft management recommendations which are responsive to users’ needs and are often complex or sensitive, involve multiple programs, and deal with major environmental issues facing the department.
  • In coordination with the Wildlife Program and other partners, support continued advancement of synthesizing and conveying information from wildlife and landscape connectivity analyses, State Wildlife Action Plan, Periodic Status Reviews, and other game and fish management plans. Foster strategic partnerships with state and federal partners engaged in connectivity analyses.
  • When modernizing PHS data synthesis and delivery, emphasize support for land-use planning efforts in Washington’s riparian areas, shrubsteppe, prairies, forests, and wetlands.
  • Work collaboratively with Fish and Wildlife Programs and other Sections within the Division.

Manages policy and legislation responsibilities: Develops and recommends land use policies, legislation, and policy/program implementation plans for the department and the state that enhance the effectiveness of PHS efforts to influence land use decisions so that they result in better conservation for fish, wildlife, and habitats.  Tasks include:

  • Coordinate with managers and policy staff within the department and in other state and local agencies to advance policies, or resolve major policy issues that would affect fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation through PHS services.
  • Provide management recommendations and spatial information to Regional Habitat Program Managers and their staff to support them as they represent WDFW on regional committees and panels focused on implementing on-the-ground priority actions.

Administration, leadership, and supervision: Function as an integral part of the Division’s leadership team while cultivating a diverse staff and associated resources.  Tasks include:

  • Provide excellent supervision to Priority Habitats and Species section staff, including clear performance expectations and professional development opportunities, to contribute to job satisfaction and recruit and retain quality employees.
  • Manage financial resources, including grants and contracts, using department budget and contract applications and project management skills to deliver products and services.
  • Reach out to existing and new land use PHS customers using excellent communication skills, customer survey results, and a variety of forums to increase the use of PHS data, tools, and technical assistance to secure fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation.
  • Serve as a primary coordinator with Wildlife and Fish program personnel to ensure transparent communication, enhanced collaboration, and to facilitate strong inter-agency partnerships.
  • Work with the Ecosystem Services Division (ESD) Manager and other ESD Section Managers to create, support, and implement ESD and Habitat Program visioning. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Office setting that includes reading, writing, phone, and computer use. 

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, core hours from 8:30 to 4:30, though some opportunities for alternative work schedules may exist.

Travel Requirements:

Some travel and overnight stays may be required.

Tools and Equipment:

Telephone, computer, smart phone, video conferencing, and standard office equipment.

Customer Interactions:

Provides technical assistance to both regional biologists and external PHS users.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

OR

  • Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in one of the following:
    • System change management.
    • GIS or other spatial data management.
    • Land Use, Urban, Regional, Environmental, or Natural Resource planning.
    • Natural Resource Management.
    • Land Use or Environmental Law.
    • Public Administration with an environmental emphasis.
    • Or closely related field.

AND

  • Five (5) years of relevant experience.

License:

  • Valid driver’s license.

Experience and demonstrated ability to:

  • Manage systemic change, coordinate complex planning initiatives, and manage intra-agency (or organizational) teams.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships.
  • Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in writing and spoken word.

Knowledge of:

  • The application of spatial and GIS data to conserving fish and wildlife and their habitats.
  • Principles of staff supervision.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Master’s degree with major emphasis in system change management, GIS or other spatial data management, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, natural resource management, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
  • Five years of professional experience managing systemic change, GIS or other spatial data management and applications to land use, urban, regional, environmental, natural resource planning, or fish and wildlife conservation.
  • Experience interpreting and applying policies to lead program activities and staff to achieve desired results.
  • Experience and demonstrated ability to build consensus and negotiate agreements.
  • Experience and demonstrated ability to develop and convey clear, timely, and persuasive messages in writing and spoken word that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.