The Department of Ecology has a unique opportunity for a lead Forestry Policy position in our Water Quality Program in Lacey, WA.

As the program’s Senior Policy Lead and Planner for forestry, this position provides critical support on forestry issues to the Water Quality Program. This position plays a critical role in representing the Program needs as they relate to the successful implementation of the state forest and fish rules that govern state forest practices in Washington. This position represents the Water Quality Program on forestry issues with the United States Forest Service. In addition this position provides policy direction and support to the Water Quality Program field staff that work on forestry issues. In this capacity, this position will help guide the Water Quality Program and shape how we respond to forestry nonpoint pollution.

We are looking for someone who is a proven negotiator, and who can understand and listen to the needs of landowners and other stakeholders while at the same time work to ensure the rules meet the state’s water quality requirements. This person should have a strong understanding of water quality issues and how as they are affected by forest practices.

This position works within a great team of other water quality policy staff. This is a dynamic and charismatic team of people committed to protecting the state’s water.

As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like, or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Duties

Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, for current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.

What does this position do?

• Provides expertise on forestry issues related to the implementation of the state forest and fish rules on state and private lands and forestry related actions on federal land.
• Represents the Water Quality Program on critical committees that are part of the state forest practice adaptive management program, and related to implementing rules affecting water quality by the Department of Natural Resources.
• Negotiates water quality issues as a representative of the agency.
• Provides legislative support on forestry issues.
• Identifies critical or emerging issues and recommends preventative or corrective measures.
• Has lead responsibility for responding to studies and efforts examining the effectiveness of the forest practice rules and for proposing ways to ensure the rules are effective in protecting water quality.
• Serves as the lead in working with the US Forest Service to implement our Memorandum of Agreement with the US Forest Service.
• Leads the agency forestry team and provides policy, technical direction and support to field staff and their direct line supervisors.

Please note: This position is being re-posted in order to increase the size of the applicant pool. If you would like to be considered for this position, you must reapply.

This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on October 28, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 27, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in forestry, 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 Seven (7) years of professional experience in forestry land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development

OR

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in forestry 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 (5) years of professional experience in forestry, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

OR

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4 within the Department of Ecology.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of forestry issues.
• Knowledge of state and federal water quality regulations and policies.
• Experience with project management, including recognizing emerging issues and preemptively finding and negotiating solutions.
• Experience at representing an agency on complex or controversial issues with other agencies and stakeholders.
• Experience communicating complex scientific issues, particularly technical water quality issues.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Strong writing skills.

Application Instructions:

Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:

• A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
• A resume outlining your professional experience.
• A sample of your writing that you believe represents your best work.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration. Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please send an email to Melissa Gildersleeve at: melissa.gildersleeve@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Melissa to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

The Washington State Department of Ecology 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, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.