• The Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager provides leadership and immediate supervision to professional Habitat Biologists covering specific geographic areas.  The incumbent coaches staff and provides guidance, feedback and technical support.  This position will be supervising staff in both the Region 6 office in Montesano and the Port Angeles office in Clallam County and will be expected to maintain a presence in both offices.
• The position helps staff implement the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-660-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules). Fostering solution-oriented thinking for teammates is required.  The incumbent helps staff prescribe appropriate resource protection requirements in legally mandated permits for the protection of fish life. This includes coaching to staff conducting the following: pre-project review and assistance to project proponents, evaluating and provisioning projects for protection of fish life, conducting project compliance and monitoring field review during and post-construction and providing assistance to the Enforcement Program for resolution of violations.
• The position provides direction or guidance to team members who provide technical assistance to Counties or Cities during critical area ordinance development and implementation as required under the Shoreline Management Act and Growth Management Act. Helping staff promote and persuade local governments to incorporate best available science into their regulatory and planning processes will determine success for the incumbent.  Work also includes updating and maintaining Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) data and providing assistance in utilizing this information. In addition, the incumbent will provide guidance and review of staff comments on SEPA/NEPA documents and other land use permit proposals. The incumbent will also conduct similar work in their assigned coverage area.
• The position coaches and leads staff who provide office and field review of plans, permits and actions permitted by the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources or other agencies in the forested environment. Providing staff with a sense of collaboration and teamwork with our sister agencies is key.
• The position helps staff find ways to partner with habitat restoration groups on various habitat enhancement, restoration, or acquisition proposals.  The position helps staff work as lead or part of a multi-disciplinary team. This can include coaching team members with grant-writing, formal presentations, technical assistance and project development/management.

Preferred/Desired Education, Training, Skills and Abilities/Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and partner with the public, tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies;
• Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Northwest.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and general familiarity with Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) mapping.
• General understanding of various regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA),  and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency;
• Demonstrated ability to work within the regulatory environment including reviewing, issuing, monitoring or complying with federal, state or local environmental permits.

Key Competencies — the best qualified applicants will demonstrate abilities in the following areas:

• Supervisory and leadership – Demonstrated skill supervising, leading, and coaching people.  Excellent self-awareness to understand and relate to different personalities in a manner that produces team cohesion, trust, and solution-oriented thinking.
• Facilitation and negotiation – Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills in contentious work settings.  Leadership reaching consensus and de-escalating conflict.
• Communication and coordination – Demonstrated success using verbal and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills.  Ability to discuss complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational to different audiences.  Intuitive sense for who to coordinate key messages with, including relevant management.

The successful candidate must be willing and able to:

• Create a positive team atmosphere where staff can function knowing the operating sideboards of their position(s) and how they align with the agency strategic plan and program business plan.
• Balance the interests or desires of the staff they supervise with the interests of the public. Ability and willingness to have crucial conversations with employees to help in execution of their jobs.
• Provide leadership and ideas for continuous improvement of program processes and be adaptive to changes in the work environment.
• Be pragmatic when implementing environmental regulations and able to see the “big picture” at all times.
• Be self-aware of their emotions and personality and how to flex these behaviors to fit with other personality types.
• Ability to accept and follow supervisory direction, including seeking and accepting constructive feedback on performance and making efforts to improve as needed.
• Demonstrate, instruct, or train others in methods, policies, procedures, and how to complete tasks.
• Exhibit self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills, and applying that new knowledge or skill in the work environment.

• Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.  Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, clinometer, and digital camera.
• Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. five days a week.  These hours are flexible to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the Regional Habitat Program Manager.
• Physical, environmental, or mental demands of key work: Must be able to drive a vehicle to conduct field review of project sites.  Physical capacity to work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting fish surveys and other related tasks.  These activities can consist of 8 to 10 hour days, for several days in a row.
• Health, Safety or Administrative Requirements: Capable of walking over rough terrain for short distances (≤ 1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles).
• Willingness and ability to work extended hours as necessary to complete assignments.  May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
• An interest in helping people live on the land in ways that benefit fish and wildlife habitats.
• Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.  Office work includes reading, writing, phone and computer use.

Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).  As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

How to Apply:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

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

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or 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.

Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.

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. 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 (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.