Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatic Resources Division. Come help us manage state-owned aquatic lands so that people and orcas thrive, businesses and eelgrass meadows grow, and waterfront public access and salmon are preserved in perpetuity. We are looking for a leader (District Manager) for a team of five professional staff who are based in beautiful and peaceful Jefferson County just 25 minutes from the Victorian seaport gem of Port Townsend. This team’s work focuses on the majestic marine waters and rivers of the northern Olympic Peninsula, northern Kitsap County, and Whidbey Island (Download PDF reader).

The District Manager will ensure that management of state-owned aquatic lands in the Straits Unit of the Orca-Straits District is executed in a sustainable manner, ensuring environmental protection of aquatic lands. The District Manager works with individual citizens, private industry, Tribes, other governments, and other stakeholders to ensure resources are managed to preserve ecological and economic viability, including clean-up, pollution prevention, habitat conservation and protection, restoration, and assessment of proper use of state-owned aquatic lands. This is accomplished primarily through aquatic land leasing.

If you are fascinated by and enjoy the following, you may be an ideal candidate:

• The DNR mission
• Helping your staff do their jobs well and to get better every year
• Mastering unusual, often technical topics such as property legal descriptions, property rights, and environmental protection statutes and rules
• Drafting strong contracts that meet the goals of the state — ensuring environmental protection, promoting public use and access, and minimizing risk – and meeting the goals of our customers (lessees/grantees/licensees)
• Helping your staff, colleagues, and senior managers solve complex public policy, environmental, and real property management problems
• Non-routine work; even experienced staff learn something new nearly every day
• Providing excellent customer service both internally and externally

Duties

Responsibilities:

The District Manager’s responsibilities include the following:

• Directly supervising three professional land managers and one half-time office assistant
• Overseeing the supervision of one natural resource technician who reports to a land manager
• Setting expectations, providing feedback, prioritizing workload, and coaching staff
• Ensuring that the team achieves the DNR vision and mission and does so consistent with the DNR values and core competencies
• Playing a key role in the development of policy, procedures, and guidance for the district and the division
• Managing and negotiating the most complex and sensitive aquatic land management issues in Straits Unit’s area of operations
• Ensuring the proper use of state-owned aquatic lands by reviewing all leases, easements, and license documents generated by staff
• Helping to support other division activities including management of Aquatic Reserves, review of local government Shoreline Master Programs, and environmental review of proposed projects affecting state-owned aquatic lands

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in natural resource management, forestry, geography, marine science, environmental science, other science, land use or environmental planning, public policy, engineering, real estate, business, or other relevant field.
• Two years of related professional work experience in one of the aforementioned specialties.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with contracts, business or property management.
• Experience interpreting and implementing guidelines, regulations, and laws.
• Demonstrated ability to provide good customer service.
• Experience negotiating contentious issues in a respectful, responsive and informed manner.
• Effective relationship- and team-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent prioritization skills.
• Proficient with the Microsoft suite of computer programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

• 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:

• Three years of supervisory experience of professional staff including hiring, setting expectations, training, providing feedback, and coaching.
• Experience working with natural resource management/environmental protection issues.
• Experience with real estate management, including commercial real estate practices, appraisal, and lease/contract management and development.
• Experience working with governments at the local, state, tribal, and/or federal level.
• Knowledge of Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest) riverine, estuarine, and marine nearshore ecosystem processes and habitats.
• Experience operating small motorboats.
• A natural curiosity – someone who appreciates the how and the why, and who embraces new challenges and new technology.

Supplemental Information

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 modern new office will be located south of Chimacum, which is in Jefferson County on the Olympic Peninsula. To get to know some of the exciting opportunities of life on the Olympic Peninsula, check out: https://olympicpeninsula.org/things-to-do

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

 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.
• Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts.

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

Veterans 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 Dennis Clark at (360) 708-7357, dennis.clark@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov