The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Environmental Planner 5. The position is located in the Habitat Program, Ecosystem Services Division. The duty station for this position is the Natural Resource Building, Olympia, Thurston County.

As Manager of the Habitat Program’s work associated with west side energy projects, the successful candidate will oversee permitting, licensing, relicensing, and implementation for hydroelectric and other energy projects in Western Washington in order to secure conditions (including project designs, operations, mitigation, enhancements, and implementation plans) that implement the fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities of the department.

The position will represent the agency on technical and policy committees and will develop formal comments and presentations, as well as policy-level executive summaries associated with WDFW technical studies and reports. The incumbent works cooperatively to ensure that agency commitments and timelines are met; responds to internal and external inquiries; works as a member of a team to define schedules, deliverables, and budgets. This position directly supervises 2-4 full-time employees, and works in the Renewable Energy Section in the Habitat Program.

DUTIES:

• Develop and implement strategic and operational planning and oversee all aspects of the Chehalis Basin Strategy to ensure project success. Facilitate resolution of policy and management issues as they arise.
• Assemble, organize and provide oversight for the Chehalis Basin Project including but not limited to contract development and management, coordination with research scientists and monitoring leads, completion of contract deliverables, coordination of meetings, workshops, and presentations, and policy liaison with the Chehalis Restoration Manager, the Office of the Chehalis Basin, and consulting teams.
• Provide briefings and consultation to senior staff on policies, legal issues, and proposed legislation associated with the Chehalis Basin Project. Develop presentations and formal comments on elements of the Chehalis Strategy. Develop individual executive summaries for each of the WDFW Chehalis Basin Project research and monitoring studies, and take lead role in technical and policy committees and forums.
• Provide training and technical assistance to west side energy project biologists to assure consistent conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, and superior customer service.
• Coordinate and consult with WDFW staff, permitting and licensing agencies, energy developers, and local and tribal governments to identify and resolve major west side energy policy issues that affect the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat.
• Provide excellent supervision to west side energy projects staff, including clear performance expectations, work prioritization, and professional development opportunities, in order to contribute to job satisfaction and recruit and retain quality employees.
• Serve as the agency lead and policy representative for particular west side energy development and large infrastructure projects and use energy expertise and experience to secure fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation and enhancement outcomes.

• Knowledge of complex natural resource management and planning principles, environmental laws, policies and programs concerning state resource development; governmental administrative structure at local, tribal, state, and federal levels; environmental, social and other problems affecting development of federal, tribal and state natural resource management programs; methods and objectives of natural resources planning.
• Knowledge of energy development laws and guidelines (including federal and state laws), policies, and programs and how these affect and/or enable fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State.
• Knowledge of fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology that enables anticipation of fish, wildlife, and habitat needs and potential impacts.
• Ability to accept responsibility for, and lead major program activities; interpret and apply agency policy; develop long-range work plans, think conceptually, observe and interpret trends, analyze data, identify key relationships, draw logical conclusions, and maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials; address large groups and write effectively; supervise staff and manage major program activities.
• The applicant is required to have good writing skills, effective oral communication, proven project management, and budget skills; and the ability to synthesize large amounts of potentially conflicting technical and policy information into actionable guidance and direction. Ability to listen and strategically problem solve are key skills for this position.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, energy policy, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

AND

Five years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, energy or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

• Managing Projects and Programs – Effectively organizes multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.
• Experience working with or for energy project proponents or energy project permitting/licensing entities (i.e., FERC, EFSEC, or other state or county agencies) to successfully develop and/or implement energy project licenses, including terms and conditions to protect natural resources and mitigate for impacts.
• Experience applying knowledge of fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, and habitat needs, potential impacts, and likely remedies.
• Verbal and Written Communications – Effectively conveys ideas and information using spoken language and written language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience/reader.
• Writing – Writes 5-10 page executive summaries for general, non-technical audience.
• Facilitating Others – Coordinates and leads small groups, creating a cooperative and productive environment in which to resolve problems or develop and implement plans.
• Analysis – Uses data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.
• Planning – Logically integrates various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualification of this position (generic cover letters will not be accepted)
• A current resume (please make it succinct)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional references)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, and ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (360) 902-2207.