Salary: $64,788.00 – $87,144.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-06863
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date: 05/25/2023

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse–and most beautiful—parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you’ll find anywhere We love what we manage and what we do. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Under the administrative supervision of the Natural Resources Program Manager, the Southwest Region Steward (Parks Planner 3) manages stewardship planning and implementation in western Washington. The position works closely with agency Stewardship, Operations, and Capital staff to steward Washington’s most treasured lands and water, through planning, consultation, implement, and review.

This position is located in the Stewardship Office at the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Headquarters in Tumwater, WA. The position is 80% office and 20% field work and outdoors. Field work may include walking through natural areas without trails. Travel is required with weekly travel to job sites, some overnight and occasional out of state travel.

The ideal candidate has a heart for public service and a passion for protecting our natural resources.  They will be an excellent relationship builder and collaborator.  They will have analytical, critical thinking, program development, and communication skills, including the ability to produce concise written direction for others.  They will be a curious and hard-working self-starter, who likes variety in their work and appreciates having fun while doing their job.

Duties
The Southwest Region Steward manages natural and cultural resource planning activities for the SW region. Tasks assigned typically require expert knowledge of natural resource management, agency policies, and environmental laws.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Provides ongoing technical stewardship planning assistance to parks and capital projects.
  • Develops and reviews natural resource and cultural resource management pans.
  • Serves as project coordinator for complex stewardship projects, including budgeting, competitive procurement, contract, and supervision of consultants through all phases of planning, permitting, and project implementation.
  • Contributes to strategic planning and policy development for statewide Stewardship Program.
  • Serves as consultant to Operations staff, including Parks staff, Area Managers, and Region Managers providing technical expertise and ensuring compliance with agency natural resources policy and procedures. 
  • Reviews and consults on State Parks Capital Program plans and projects regarding resource impacts and resource stewardship issues.
  • Coordinates the development of mitigation plans with the agency capital Program staff as necessary to implement and permit capital projects.
  • Prepares cost estimates and implements vegetative management and restoration projects.
  • Outlines projects to be done by youth and other conservation programs.
  • Coordinates with other governmental agencies regarding management of adjoining properties and facilities.
  • Leads public meetings and tours regarding proposed stewardship plans or projects.
  • Identifies available grants and prepares grant proposals that address acquisition, preservation, restoration and protection of park resources.  
  • Investigates property for acquisition for use as state parks using RCO guidelines.  Recommends acquisition of potential park sites and disposal of existing areas.  Coordinates and manages implementation of grant-funded projects.
  • Leads development and implementation of Classification and Management Plans for SW region.  Prepares correspondence, reports, and regulatory documents necessary to carry out stewardship functions, including draft policy documents and Commission agenda items. 

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelors degree* in land planning, natural resource management or a closely related field.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience in park planning.  
  • Valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver’s license.  

*Additional qualifying experience as noted above may be substituted year-for-year for the education.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree in land planning, natural resource management or a closely related field.
  • Knowledge of interrelationship of structural and topographical elements, soils, ground water, vegetation, human social and recreational needs, botany, horticulture, and recreation.
  • Knowledge of state and federal environmental and cultural resource regulations.
  • Knowledge of ArcGIS.
  • Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of park planning.

HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. You must attach or embed in your application the following:

  • Letter of interest specifically addressing the duties, qualifications and experience as listed in this announcement.
  • Current resume.
  • Three Professional References (if not listed in the reference portion of the application).

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4052436/southwest-region-steward-parks-planner-3-tumwater-wa

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