• Manage the Habitat Program’s Forest Habitats Section to implement the fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities of the department.
• Identify and resolve major forest health and management issues through coordination and consultation with WDFW staff, partners, and stakeholders that manage forests (federal, state, local, tribal, or private) to identify and resolve forest health and management issues that affect the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat
• Develop and recommend forest management approaches and implementation plans for the department and the state that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats.

The incumbent must have and maintain knowledge of:

• Forest management techniques, laws, policies, and programs (including Washington forest practices rules, Forest and Fish Law, habitat conservation plans associated with forest practices activities, fish passage laws, WDFW’s hydraulic code rules, and federal forest land planning programs) and how these affect and/or enable fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington State.
• Fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology that enables anticipation of fish, wildlife, and habitat needs and potential impacts.
• Principles of staff supervision.
• Principles of leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

 Ability to:

• Develop and manage a budget, including various financial resources.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in writing & spoken word.
• Assemble, organize and provide leadership to and oversight of multi-disciplinary teams assigned to resolve major policy issues, develop legislation, and initiate implementation of new programs & laws.

In addition, the incumbent will possess and maintain the following behavioral competencies:
Leadership

• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to assess social situations and dynamics.
• Actively listens to others and accurately conveys their ideas to others.
• Listens respectfully to thoughts and ideas of others.
• Demonstrated leadership skills by leading through example.
• Innovative thinking to overcome or address historic or emergent issues.
• Proactive ability to develop strategic visions and strategies.
• Exercises effective delegation supported by identification of skills, abilities, and leadership qualities of staff.

Communications effectiveness

• Conveys clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence thoughts and actions of others.
• Clearly and effectively communicates with individuals and groups within and outside the organization.
• Responsive to various styles and needs of individuals/groups with whom he/she is communicating.
• Executes strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills with, at times, disparate partners, stakeholders, and audiences.
• Writes effectively and appropriately for the audience and situation.
• Presents ideas effectively in formal and informal situations.
• Effectively clarifies his/her message when asked to do so.
• Keeps supervisor and co-workers informed of need to know items.
• Shares complete and accurate information with others.
• Communicates intentions and rationale.
• Effectively uses many forms and approaches when communicating.
• Coordinates effectively with those who need to know.

Adaptability/flexibility

• Adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities. Adapts approach, goals and methods to achieve successful solutions and results in dynamic situations.
• Sees different alternatives to reach a given end.
• Manages and implements change in a way that reduces concern experienced by others.
• Copes well and helps others deal with ongoing demands of change.
• Proactively embraces change as a way to accomplish goals more effectively.

Customer focus

• Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the organization’s products and services.
• Puts the customer first, making excellent customer service a high priority.
• Knows his/her customers and their expectations; anticipates, assesses and responds timely to changing customer needs.
• Consistently goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers implement complete solutions.
• Regularly takes action to solicit feedback to meet needs fully.
• Provides status reports and updates on progress to customers.
• Makes extra effort to meet or exceed customer needs, expectations.
• Searches out ways to enhance customer satisfaction by improving efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Gains customer confidence and trust by meeting long-term needs.
• Recognizes adverse customer reactions and develops better alternatives

Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree with major emphasis in 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.
AND
Five years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

• Policy Actualization – Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply department and state policies in order to recommend courses of action that address issues; balance the analysis, wisdom, experience and perspective of self and others; and lead major program activities and staff to expected results.
• Planning – Experience applying knowledge of fish and wildlife biology, habitat science, and ecology to anticipate fish, wildlife, and habitat needs, potential impacts, and likely remedies.
• Supervision and Leadership – Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff, including setting clear expectations, achieving the desired results, and coaching staff to improve performance to maximize desired outcomes and results.
• Stakeholder Development – Experience working with or for forestry proponents, stakeholders, or regulators to successfully develop and/or implement forest management plans and solutions that protect fish and wildlife resources while maintaining working forests.
• Facilitation and Consensus Building – Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and consensus, facilitate cooperative activities with diverse individuals.
• Verbal and Written Communication – Experience and demonstrated ability to develop and convey clear, timely, and persuasive messages in writing and spoken word that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Critical Thinking – Experience and demonstrated ability with critical thinking and analyses to interpret technical information for inclusion in or support of policies and management strategies.
• Budget and Financial Management – Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a budget, including various financial resources.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Office work includes reading, writing, phone and computer use. Occasional fieldwork in an outdoor environment may occur.
• Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.
• Generally, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday- Friday with some evening and weekend work possible.
• Customer Interactions – Responsible for legislative, contentious issue resolution and leaders of major stakeholder interaction. Excellent personal interaction and diplomatic skills
• Travel Requirements – 10%, about 2 days a month, requires travel to meetings, site visits, and workshops and forums throughout the State of Washington.

How to Apply:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov, ensuring you complete the Work History experience section of the online application 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.