Title- Shrubsteppe Policy Lead

Classification- Environmental Planner 5 (EP5)

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program - Ecosystem Services Division (ESD) 

Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework- This position is eligible for a partial telework schedule at the discretion of the hiring manager. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this dynamic role, you will manage the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI), communicating and coordinating closely with the Habitat and Wildlife Program leadership on WSRRI direction, structure, strategies, and implementation.  

Support senior and executive management on the conservation, resilience, and restoration of shrubsteppe habitats! 

Represent the Habitat Program as the shrubsteppe policy lead and subject matter expert with federal and other state agencies, outside entities, and partners.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, work across internal programs, with regional operations, Tribal partners, and other public agencies and stakeholders to make lasting contributions to conserve and protect native fish and wildlife.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities the Shrubsteppe Policy Lead will,

As the Program Manager for the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI), manage that interagency effort in support of the WSRRI Steering Committee:

• Communicate with and coordinate, support, and facilitate the activities of the WSRRI Steering Committee and Advisory Group.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of workplans in support of implementing the 30-year WSRRI Conservation Strategy.
• Create and coordinate as appropriate a network hub for information and resource dissemination in support of WSRRI statewide.

Promote, represent, and manage within WDFW the implementation of the WSRRI long-range plan, engaging and collaborating with other subject matter experts across WDFW Programs. 

• Represent the Habitat Program as the shrubsteppe policy lead and subject matter expert with federal and other state agencies, outside entities, and partners.
• Coordinate and help to facilitate shrubsteppe conservation work across WDFW programs.
• Coordinate with shrubsteppe data developers and providers within WDFW.

Help to garner and administer resources as assigned in support of shrubsteppe conservation and the implementation of the WSRRI long-term plan.

• Administer WDFW budgets associated with WSRRI as assigned.
• Identify and advance opportunities for securing funding through WDFW and WSRRI legislative requests,
• Identify and advance opportunities to garner federal and other non-state monies to conduct shrubsteppe conservation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or public policy with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

AND

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration, or environmental policy, planning, or program development.

Competencies: 

• Demonstrated understanding of public agency organizational and bureaucratic environments and processes.
• Demonstrated success in organizational assessment and systems development, group and meeting facilitation, and project management.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collegial, collaborative, and productive work environment with colleagues who are not co-located.
• Successful demonstration of strong critical thinking skills applied to solving complex natural resource problems.

Please Note: Additional relevant professional experience may substitute year for year for the degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Master's degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resources, environmental planning, or public administration/public policy with an environmental emphasis, or a closely related field and seven (7) years of experience in these professional areas.

Competencies: 

• Expertise in the conservation or study of shrubsteppe habitats and associated wildlife.
• Demonstrated work experience in landscape scale habitat protection, restoration, and management.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and partner with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, tribes, and the public regarding issues pertaining to habitat protection and restoration.
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills, including experience mediating or facilitating environmental conflicts.
• Knowledge of natural resource laws, policies, and programs (regulatory and voluntary) related to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State, and the ability to work with them to achieve expected results.
• High level of project management expertise.
• Grant or other financial resource development, budget tracking, and administering public financial resources.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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: Primarily office work, but includes some driving and travel to various locations, primarily in Washington State. Work will occasionally include outdoor travel on foot over rough terrain, and exposure to various types of weather.

Schedule: Generally, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday with some evening and weekend work possible.

Travel Requirements: Occasional driving and travel to various locations, primarily in Washington State.

Tools and Equipment: Telephone, computer, smart phone, video-conferencing, and standard office equipment.

Customer Interactions: Responsible for engaging on legislative issues with policy makers, elected officials, agency staff, Tribal partners, and stakeholders to resolve issues requiring excellent diplomatic and communication skills.

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 qualifying spouses 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 diana.humes@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 Requisition # 2024-13827

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