Job Title: Agriculture Program Specialist
Opening Date/Time: Mon. 07/17/17 12:00 AM Pacific Time
Closing Date/Time: Thu. 08/10/17 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $3,883.00 – $5,770.00 Monthly
$46,596.00 – $69,240.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources

 

Service, Science, Sustainability
Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Public Lands, our work at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is done with the public’s interest in mind, which means transparency and public knowledge.  Our decisions are guided by sound science as we manage state trust lands, native ecosystems and natural resources. We support the vision of a sustainable future by protecting and managing the natural resources so future generations will have them.

DNR manages over 5 million acres of state-owned land that includes forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. We generate revenue that supports public schools, state institutions and county services. But managing lands is only half of our story. We also protect other public resources such as fish, wildlife, water, and provide public access to outdoor recreation. Two of our largest and most important state-wide resource protection responsibilities are fire prevention and suppression, and overseeing forest practices.

The DNR has an annual operating budget of approximately $187 million and has over 1200 permanent employees with approximately 300 additional staff hired during the summer fire season.

We have some of the most talented people in the industry.  We honor diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust.  We invite you to learn more about our culture, our careers, and why some of the top forestry and natural science professionals have joined Washington DNR by visiting our DNR website.
 Duties:
Agriculture Program Specialist
Natural Resource Specialist 4 OR NRS 3 In-Training
Recruitment # 2017-07- 6815-06574

SALARY RANGE:

NRS 4: $4,292 – $5,770 per month
NRS 3: $3,883- $5,229 per month (In-Training)

TYPE OF POSITION:       

Permanent.   This position is represented by the WFSE.
Important Note:   Once appointed to this position the incumbent will be required to pay union dues or other representation fees within the first 30 days of employment.

LOCATION:                       

Olympia, Washington

CLOSES:

10 August 2017
Note: Recruitment may be extended after 10 August depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool.

POSITION PROFILE:

Interested in Agriculture and supporting the generation of revenue for Schools?  Join DNR in our mission to manage State Trust Lands for the benefits of schools.  This position is responsible for policy development and implementation related to agricultural, grazing, and permit range leasing of State trust lands.  Work includes providing programmatic guidance to field staff, streamlining business practices, ensuring that program business procedures are state of the art, and numerous opportunities to be involved with a wide range of issues ranging from fair market rents, to endangered species and rangeland health. This position may be filled at the NRS 3 In-Training level and upon successful completion of a formal training program the incumbent would be promoted to the NRS 4 level.

 Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (NRS 4):

  • Bachelor’s degree involving major study in an agriculture related field, business, or other natural resource field.
  • Four (4) years’ experience in Natural Resource or similar program management.
  • Experience drafting and interacting with experts such as legal counsel on documents including but not limited to contracts, compliance orders, and other complex documents.
  • Experience in negotiating and complying leases and other complex agreements.
  • Managing a high workload and managing many projects congruently.
  • Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
  • Excellent communication skills, i.e., writing, reading, speaking, and listening.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships, respond effectively to changing needs and priorities, efficiently allocate resources, and create and implement program improvements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (NRS 3 In-Training):

  • Bachelor’s degree involving major study in an agriculture related field, business, or other natural resource field.
  • Two to three (2-3) years’ experience in Natural Resource or similar program management.
  • Experience drafting and interacting with experts such as legal counsel on documents including but not limited to contracts, compliance orders, and other complex documents.
  • Experience in negotiating and complying leases and other complex agreements.
  • Managing a high workload and managing many projects congruently.
  • Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
  • Excellent communication skills, i.e., writing, reading, speaking, and listening.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships, respond effectively to changing needs and priorities, efficiently allocate resources, and create and implement program improvements.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree in an agriculture related field.
  • Experience conducting financial analysis of irrigated agriculture conversion opportunities and agricultural land acquisition opportunities.
  • Experience drafting policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of agricultural land use law and federal farm program rules.
  • Experience working with agricultural land and trust land management law.
  • Experience in water right acquisitions, transfers, etc. and knowledge of water right law.
  • Working knowledge of DNR leasing programs, functions, and business needs.
  • Working knowledge of Legislative processes, and experience performing bill review/analysis and fiscal note preparation.
  • Experience developing and managing a budget, preferably a state agency program budget.
  • Working knowledge of DNR’s NaturE system.

SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

  • The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
  • This position requires driving as an essential function.  Essential means that driving is a fundamental, crucial part of this position and not a marginal function.  Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements
 Supplemental Information:
WHO MAY APPLY
This recruitment is open to anyone who meets the required qualifications for this position.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above)
  • You must submit the following:
    • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
    • Attach your Resume – do not add it into the text of the application, it must be an attachment.
    • Attach an example of your technical writing ability.
    • The names of three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
  • Carefully review your application materials before submitting. If you fail to submit the required documents, you may no longer be considered for the position by the supervisor.
  • You may not reapply for this posting for 30 days.

Application Status – once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account.  Finalists for the position will be contacted by the hiring managers directly.

Note: Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record issued from all states in which they have held a license during the past 3 years.

Questions?  Please contact, Rick Roeder, Assistant Division Manager at (509)925-0943 or rick.roeder@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

By submitting the application materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.  You understand that the state may verify information and that untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
This announcement is published by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, genetic information, military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.  Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1128.  DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TTY) by dialing 711.