Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2785739/land-manager
Northeast Region – Omak
Recruitment # 2020-05-6253
This is a full-time, permanent, represented position.
Are you looking to join a team that does great things and makes a difference? The West Uplands Land Manager is a position that will challenge your technical knowledge and require a common sense approach to manage trust assets for the long-term benefit of future generations. Northeast Region is seeking an innovative, strategic land manager who enjoys working with farmers/ranchers/orchardists and other stakeholders to inspire and improve land management activities on DNR’s trust lands. Working in eastern Washington will provide you challenging opportunities in agricultural resource management. From woodland grazing to shrub steppe to irrigated crops to orchards, every day will bring new opportunities and challenges. You will be confronted with choices and decisions that can result in short-term gains but can have long-term impacts. We are seeking a manager that can work as part of a team to make short-term tactical decisions for long-term strategic success.
If you have the confidence in yourself to achieve greatness, have proven on the ground experience, and have the ability to work collaboratively and get results; then Northeast Region would be interested in you.
What we will trust you with:
- Negotiate all new agricultural leases and re-leases to ensure the trust receives the highest possible value while maintaining long-term viability of the resources.
- Conduct inspections of grazing and agricultural leases to ensure all applicable laws and agreements, including but not limited to, Resource Management Plans (RMP), House Bill 1309 Ecosystem Standards are being followed.
- Negotiate all new special use leases and special use renewals to ensure the trust receives the highest possible value while maintaining long-term viability of the resources. Special use leases include, home site, recreational, mineral, mining, rock, as well as sand and gravel.
- Preparing and/or reviewing legal documents (Agricultural and Special Use Leasing contracts) and other internal agency documents for various activities for accuracy and quality prior to submittal.
- Review and make recommendations on state owned water rights to ensure the resources are being used correctly and so no water rights are relinquished.
- Conduct rental adjustments every five years or as specified in the lease document.
- Coordinate with other DNR managers and field staff for planned harvests, Silvicultural treatments and other activities that could affect lessees, permit holders, stakeholders or the public.
- Fosters good working relations with the community and adjacent landowners by being transparent about our operations and consulting with adjacent landowners and external stakeholders through various means including; field site visits, written and oral communication, public meetings, and other outreach events.
- Create agricultural prescriptions by reviewing and analyzing similar site classifications and utilizing GIS, past usage/utilization data, field observations and experience to devise a plan to successfully manage sites for long-term sustainability.
- Conduct public auctions of trust lands utilized for agriculture leases.
- Authorize or deny written requests from lessees to place improvements on trust lands.
- Participate in CRM (coordinated resource management) meetings with permitees, and other land management agencies (IE BLM, USFS, WDFW, USFWS).
- Establish grazing rotations that provide for resource protection, while meeting the goals of the producers and the agency.
- Plans, prioritizes, coordinates and implements weed control measures for managed and unmanaged trust lands.
- Conduct and document utilization checks and monitor established pasture rotations throughout the grazing season to ensure grazing objectives are being met.
- Complete annual inspections on leases and fill out required reports.
The right candidate has:
- At least two years’ experience working with forest-based land-use policy and grazing-use policy and practices such as: SEPA, Forest Practice Rules, PSF, HB-1309 etc.
- At least two years’ experience working collaboratively with multiple DNR programs and other agencies.
- At least two years’ experience working in range management and working knowledge of best management practices in forested and grassland grazing.
- Ability to produce clear and concise written documentation, and have effective oral communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to write planning documents, prepare cost estimates, supervise and coordinate design work, present, negotiate with public officials and diverse agency staff.
- Working knowledge of forest management activities and State trust land responsibilities.
- Ability to work alone and independently in remote locations and be able to cover reasonable distances per day in the field, covering moderate to difficult terrain.
- Working knowledge of GPS system and basic GIS principals.
- Must be able to traverse reasonable distances per day in the field, covering moderate to difficult terrain in all weather.
- The ability to obtain a Certified Pesticide Operators License within six months of employment.
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
- The incumbent in this position is required to travel and be able to work evenings and weekends.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential 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. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
- Bachelor’s degree involving major study in range management or other natural resources management and two years of professional program development and management experience.
- Able to ride an off road vehicle on and off established roads and trails.
- Ability to plan and prioritize work.
Living and working within the shadows of the East slopes of the Cascade Range is one of many scenic and breathtaking places in Washington. In Northeast Region you will find an environment of the small town atmosphere where you can make friends easily. Our small towns, mountains, and lakes are a great place to raise children and to be involved in the community. Most people who come here, never leave. We think that says something about northeast Washington.
Your office will be located in Omak, WA. Omak provides you with quick access to the Methow Valley and Winthrop, Wenatchee, and to the North Cascades Highway. Recreation in the Okanogan, Omak area remains as dispersed as it can get in Washington without the recreational compressions found most everywhere else. Omak is home to the annual Omak Stampede as well. If you like to hunt, fish, ride horses, mountain bike, or hike, then northeastern Washington will not disappoint you.
We are nearly 1,500 employees strong and dedicated to making DNR a great place to work. Our mission is to serve Washington’s lands and communities; build strong and healthy rural communities; enhance forest health and wildfire management; strengthen the health and resilience of our lands and waters; and increase public engagement and commitment to our public lands and resources. In partnership with citizens and governments, we provide innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally, economically and socially for current and future generations.
What makes DNR a great place to work?
- Transitioning to a modern work environment
- Mobile work
- Infants at work program
- Commitment to organizational health and wellness
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- Work/life balance
- Leadership development opportunities
- Educational aid and career development stipends
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
- Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
- A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.
Application Process
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
- You must attach the following:
- A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
- A resume including the names of three to five professional references
Carefully review your application materials before submitting. If you fail to submit the required documents or complete the entire online application, you may no longer be considered for the position by the supervisor.
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 manager directly. Recruitment may be extended depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool.
Questions? Please contact Brett Walker at (509) 680-4029, brett.walker@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
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, pregnancy/parental status, genetic information, military status, political affiliation, criminal history or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained 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) 902-1139. DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.