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If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager listed in the “Supplemental Information” section of this publication.

Duties

The Natural Resources Program Manager is a leadership position responsible for leading, managing, guiding, and promoting statewide natural resources stewardship initiatives for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.  They must educate and inspire park visitors, agency staff, and the general public to ensure the highest level of natural resources stewardship occurs in Washington’s state parks.  The Natural Resources Program Manager must bring leadership, experience, and specific strategic and technical expertise to protect, enhance, and interpret the natural resources in the 200+ state parks and other property holdings in Washington’s 138,000 – acre state park system.  They must also integrate the multitude of native habitats found across the park system into regional and statewide efforts to protect and enhance the natural heritage of Washington State.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Promotes the highest quality stewardship of the agency’s natural resources by bringing new ideas and technologies to the agency; build partnerships in the agency and with local, state, Federal, and regional agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to enhance agency capacity and professionalism; assesses agency natural resources stewardship capabilities and performance; and seeks to elevate the agency’s core commitment to exceptional stewardship through training programs, expert professional service, strategic planning and policy guidance.
• Manages a professional staff engaged in natural resources management and a wide range of governmental and non-governmental contractors working on local to statewide conservation efforts.  Ensures current work plans, employee evaluations, and program specific contracts/agreements are in compliance with all human resources and agency policies/procedures, rules, laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Provides expert technical assistance/leadership and training to staff related to natural resources stewardship.  Reviews and synthesizes complex/technical material into management prescriptions and presentations before the public, executive staff and the Commission.
• In consultation with the Stewardship Program Manager and Assistant Director of Parks Development, develops and updates the Commission’s Comprehensive Natural Resources Policy and associated procedures and management guidelines; initiates new and revised RCW and WAC language to advance agency natural resources stewardship goals; and develops and oversees major new natural resources stewardship initiatives in the agency.  Reviews natural resources-related stewardship legislation for impacts to the agency.
• Develops cost-effective budgetary strategies to rehabilitate, restore, protect, and monitor the long-term health of the natural resources across the entire park system.  In conjunction with the Stewardship Program Manager, this position develops and administers the natural resources stewardship-related operational budgets and grants.  Reviews capital budget scoping and prioritization.  Leads staff to develop and administer natural resources stewardship-related contracts and grants.
• Develops and implements plans to advance the agency’s strategic plan (especially statewide Natural Heritage Imitative) and core values, Commission and Director priorities, and emerging natural resources issues (risk management, resource protection).  Develops annual agency natural resources stewardship work plan identifying performance objectives and measures.
• In consultation with the Stewardship Program Manager and Assistant Director, composes, revises, and presents agenda and work session items to the Commission.
• Establishes and promotes effective working relationships with all agency staff, leaders of stakeholder groups and organizations, local/state/federal agency staff, and park visitors.  Works in a cooperative and supportive fashion with senior agency managers to coordinate and advance key management and policy issues in the state park system.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master’s or PhD degree with major studies in natural resources ecology, management, and conservation biology.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in the area of resource protection and management, that involved working a) in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments, b) on biological and social issues influencing resource protection and restoration, c) with stakeholder and partner groups, d) as a supervisor and mentor to professional and non-professional resource managers, and, e) in both a strategic and tactical capacity to identify and advance agency resource management goals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to make oral presentations to large groups and the ability to present complex technical information.
• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS).
• Ability to serve as the agency’s senior scientist and lead on natural resources issues.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience mentoring and training professional and non-professional staff, consulting with Tribes on complex, natural issues, and managing staff and program-level activities (e.g. budget).

Supplemental Information

To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Use reference number 04133 when searching for the job announcement. You must attach in your application the following:

• Letter of Interest specifically addressing how you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement.
• Current resume in chronological order.
• Five professional references.

**All requested materials must be submitted. Failure to follow application process may disqualify you from further consideration.**

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified, and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

Diversity Policy Statement

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating an equitable, hospitable, appreciative, safe, and inclusive park environment – one that embraces the full spectrum of all community members’ contributions. The Commission makes this commitment because:

The Commission encourages and supports staff efforts to reach out to people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, veteran status, ages, and genders who use the parks and who live in communities nearby parks. This outreach is to focus on engaging in partnerships that expand programs and services in a way that is meaningful and of value to all people. The Commission is dedicated to offering quality experiences to all visitors through a workforce and volunteer corps that reflects the diversity of Washington State.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 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 with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For information about this position, please contact the Stewardship Manager, Lisa Lantz at Lisa.Lantz@parks.wa.gov or 360-902-8641