Title- Puget Sound Nearshore Environmental Planner
Classification- Environmental Planner 3 
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Restoration Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Drive WDFW's mission to preserve, protect, and perpetuate ecosystems by joining the Restoration Team in the Puget Sound Nearshore Section.

Envision yourself working along side WDFW restoration professionals, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and local community members and providing technical support, policy coordination, and project planning. 

Serve as an external affairs coordinator and project management assistant, tracking emergent issues and fostering local support for Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) initiatives and advancing habitat restoration projects.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Puget Sound Nearshore Environmental Planner will:

• Join a project management team responsible for development and execution of nearshore habitat restoration and protection actions.
• Draft plans and policy recommendations to advance Habitat Program’s goals towards nearshore restoration. 
• Represent the department and PSNERP before federal, state, and local governmental officials. 
• Support local and regional partners, coalitions, and industry groups and collaborate on policy or project development.  
• Develop and execute communications strategies to support PSNERP projects. 
• Coordinate the development and distribution of outreach materials to record and report progress to stakeholders and the public.
• Build trust within a community and create and maintain relationships with key partners and landowners.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Will work primarily in an office setting. Occasional travel to other locations in Western Washington for meetings, events, and field visits can be expected.

Schedule:  Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Occasional night or weekend hours.

Travel Requirements: Will require mostly local, in-state travel within the Puget Sound basin to attend/lead meetings. Occasional overnight or out-of-state travel may be necessary to meet position needs. Travel is anticipated to be 10 - 20%.

Customer Interactions: Position will interact with the public regularly in various settings and through various mediums (meetings, events, website, pamphlets, etc.). Some interactions may involve skeptical, disgruntled, or frustrated individuals.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor's degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. 

AND 

Three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

OR 

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2.

OR 

Equivalent Education/Experience. 

Please Note: 

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

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following: 

A Master’s degree or higher and five (5) years of diverse practical experience including some or all of the following:

• Project management with an attention to detail in tracking tasks, decisions, and records management. 
• Familiarity with conservation policy and/or public lands.
• Familiarity with marine nearshore, or estuarine environments
• Conservation-focused communications and campaign planning
• Media relations and public engagement 
• Legislative process and campaign planning 
• Event planning, especially public meetings/forums or similar
• Proficiency in Office 365 Suite, including Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Teams

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and spouses of active-duty military personnel who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-09961

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