Forest Resilience Policy and Planning Manager, Environmental Specialist 5
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $6,077.00 - $8,170.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 01/23/2025. Interviews will be conducted the week of January 27th, with an expected start date of Feb 16th. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

This policy position focuses on forest health-related activities and policy issues that we are facing across all lands that work to restore and sustain the ecological function of the entire landscape such as solutions to conserve, protect, and enhance forests that people and wildlife depend on; forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction; mitigation treatments; opportunities that guide current and future management actions; promote wildlife habitat; monitor insect and disease; educate citizens and decision-makers about the economic, environmental, psychological and aesthetic benefits of trees; and other critical components as we maneuver through our forested ecosystem. 

Responsibilities:

• Recommends and implements policies and procedures directed at effective and fiscally responsible investments in to implement RCW 76.06 and 76.15 as well as our Forest Action Plan and 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan. May solicit and manage professional contract services.
• Ensures interpretation, documentation, and implementation of policy related to the successful implementation of the Division’s programs of work are consistent with existing laws, rules, policies, and Department principles. Identifies and leads coordination of areas where potential conflicts may occur and require attention.
• Leads Division coordinated review, analysis, and response to forest health state and federal forest health-related legislation.
• Assumes lead status for the preparation of plans, reports, documents, and other informational material. This includes leadership of coordination and delivery of required legislative reports.
• Fosters and sustains positive relationships contributing to the overall resilience of Washington’s forested ecosystems and landscapes in a changing environment.
• Serves as the lead in managing and coordinating legal services requests; involving researching the issue requiring legal support, drafting the legal services request forms to include questions requiring legal analysis and responses, tracking the issue to ensure responses are received within the necessary timeframe, providing briefings to staff management, and ensuring that all communication is handled professionally and consistently.
• Supports new rulemaking efforts, as related to forest health and resiliency programs of work.
• Serves on and represents DNR on interagency committees.
• Responds to public, legislative, and other information requests.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in forestry, forest management, forest ecology, natural resources, environmental policy, or related field;
  AND at least four years or more of applied experience and knowledge of natural resource management, policy, regulations, principles, and practices;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including substantial public speaking experience, to convey complex natural resource issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience participating with and leading multi-collaborative natural resource groups and understanding of how to effectively communicate and represent both science and agency policy to external partners.
• Leadership experience and collaboration skills including the ability to listen, understand, facilitate, negotiate, and work skillfully in those settings to support a wide array of interests and objectives.
• Experience working with diverse and competing interest groups to develop solutions and resolve conflicts around high-profile projects or issues.
• Knowledge of major forest health and forest management policy in the Pacific Northwest and Washington State at multiple scales from regional to state to local across land ownerships.
• Knowledge of major forest health issues in the Pacific Northwest and management strategies to address those.
• Ability to develop policy and procedures for teams to achieve an objective.
• Familiarity with US Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs, authorities, and typical areas of work. Degree and experience provide the knowledge necessary to provide expert consultation and lead a dynamic statewide portfolio of urban forestry work.
• Strong organizational skills, including administrative and data management skills.
• Ability to lead internal and external working groups as needed to further agency projects and initiatives.
• Ability to function largely independently, making sound decisions in a complex, diverse operating environment.
• Strong project management skills.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.