Title- Regulatory Services Section Manager

Classification-Environmental Planner 5

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Protection Division 

Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Regulatory Services Section Manager, reporting to the Protection Division Manager, leads the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process by providing policy guidance, technical support, and training to WDFW staff for fair and consistent regulatory implementation. This role also supports external partners—such as tribal, local, state, and federal agencies—in HPA matters and oversees the department's permit issuance software, ensuring efficient system functionality. 

The position supervises staff managing HPA-related tasks, including permit processing, public records, and report generation., This position also works with the HPA Appeals Coordinator, who facilitates appeal resolutions. Additionally, the manager contributes to fish habitat rulemaking and legislative review related to HPA authority.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Regulatory Services Section Manager will:

Oversee the development and implementation of the HPA database and permitting system:

• Work effectively with the contractor, agency staff, and others to ensure the development, implementation, and modification of effective current and future online HPA permitting database systems. 
• Monitor contractor progress on maintaining the database system to ensure work is performed within the scope of the contract and to required standards. 
• Communicate with staff and public users to ensure that all users can successfully use the system.

Supervise Regulatory Services Section staff:

• Ensure section staff are completing assigned duties to required standards of quality and timeliness; develop, coach, and train section staff; meet with individual staff members on a regular one-on-one basis; complete annual evaluations; administer the budget for the section.

Quality control and training:

• Oversee the development and implementation of quality control for HPAs that ensure consistent, appropriate, and high-quality permits. 
• Works with the training coordinator to help ensure that staff are trained on policy and guidance related to HPAs and other regulatory activities.

Develop and implement HPA process improvements:

• Develop and coordinate the implementation of regulatory program initiatives. Examples of this include assisting with rulemaking and developing new and updating existing guidance documents.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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

• A Bachelor of Science degree in fish or wildlife management, 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.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource planning, natural resource policy, program management, land use or environmental law, or public administration with an environmental emphasis.

Note: A master’s degree or above in the above fields may substitute for 2 years of the required experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• A Master’s degree in fish or wildlife management, 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.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to design/manipulate complicated databases.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in environmental or natural resource management
• Two (2) years of involvement with the Hydraulic Project Approval authority, State Environmental Policy Act rules, and rule adoption requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.

Knowledge of:

• Hydraulic Project Approval authority and associated rules, State Environmental Policy Act rules, and rule adoption requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Principles of ecology and natural resource management, and freshwater and marine biology.

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.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Office environment.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., although there may be need to work additional hours, evenings, and weekends as necessary to meet work needs, especially during the legislative session.  

Travel Requirements: Most travel will be day trips, with some overnight travel away from the duty station also necessary.

Customer Interactions: This position frequently interacts with internal staff, regularly interacts with other agency staff, and has occasional interactions with the public.

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

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  diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov and reference the job number in the subject line:

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