Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager Environmental Planner 5 Permanent

Title- Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager

Classification- Environmental Planner 5

Job Status-Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program Lands Division
Duty Station- Olympia Washington Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework-While this position may offer a telework option the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Salmon fishing boat at dusk Photo Credit: WDFW

This position plays a key role in shaping how WDFW-managed lands and recreation opportunities are planned managed and enjoyed. The Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager serves as the principal planning and recreation consultant to the Wildlife Program Lands Division Manager (LDM) providing leadership and expertise on complex planning and recreation issues.

In this role youll coordinate the development and implementation of environmental resource plans programs policies and regulations related to the management of more thanacres of WDFW-managed lands and more than 480 water access sites that support recreational and commercial fishing and boating opportunities.

Youll also provide leadership on outdoor recreation and visitor use management travel management and efforts to address recreation-related impacts while protecting natural and cultural resources. The P&RS Manager represents the agencys planning and recreation interests both internally and in collaboration with other agencies partners stakeholders and the public.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role thePlanning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Managerwill

Lead and direct the Planning and Recreation Section:

• Manage the P&R Section and provide guidance on policy and planning to other technical staff within the Department.
• Supervise plan assign and review the work of P&R Section employees adjust assignments and schedules to respond to fluctuating workloads or constraints to deliver complete projects.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational planning for the P&R Section.
• Ensure P&R Section work products conform with WDFW Strategic Plan the agencys Conservation Principles the 10-year Recreation Strategy and other relevant agency positions commitments and guidance.

Direct Management Planning for Wildlife Areas (WLA) and Water Access Areas (WAA):

• Direct and guide production of quality WLA and WAA Management Plans.
• Provides oversight of multi-disciplinary teams to advance Departmental conservation and recreation goals and facilitate solutions for WLA and WAA specific challenges.

Manage Recreation on DFW-Managed Lands:

• Lead development of recreation management policies procedures and rules for WDFW-managed Lands.
• Lead and support implementation of recreation and access policies procedures and rules.
• Ensure clear communication of recreation and access opportunities and rules with the public.
• Facilitate cross-agency collaboration on recreation issues with other state land managers.
• Provide leadership and/or strategic planning to address emerging recreation management needs.
• Lead efforts to support responsible recreation on WDFW-managed lands and water access areas.

Represent WDFW in Key Planning and Recreation Partnerships:

• Lead WDFW efforts to remain a recognized partner and leader in balancing conservation with compatible recreation in Washington State.
• Develop and maintain partnerships to facilitate recreation planning and management with Tribes other state and federal land managers conservation and recreation groups boards commissions and the legislature.

Participate in Lands Division Leadership Team:

Working Conditions:

Work Setting including hazards:

Office environment (95%) with occasional tours or site visits to WAA or WLA locations throughout the state (5%). Hazards may involve exposure to inclement weather uneven or unstable terrain slippery surfaces vegetation insects wildlife and other natural hazards. This position may involve working in or near water including tasks that require navigating negotiating and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically Monday Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM with infrequent evening or weekend meetings tours or site visits.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel for meetings conferences or for site visits infrequent overnight travel may be authorized.

Tools and Equipment:

Standard office equipment and software such as Microsoft Outlook Excel Adobe Acrobat SmartSheet Garmin GPS and mobile phone applications.

Customer Interactions:

Interact primarily with other professionals within and outside of the Department. This role requires participation in public forums including briefings for the Fish and Wildlife Commission and various Committees Citizen Advisory Committees Tribal Roundtable discussions and various conferences and meetings in which public comments and interaction are solicited.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1 All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Masters degree or higher with a major emphasis in one of the following:
  • Land use urban regional environmental or natural resource planning.
  • Landscape architecture.
  • Geography.
  • Land use or environmental law.
  • Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
  • A closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in land use urban regional environmental or natural resource planning and/or program development.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience including conflict resolution training and development planning and assigning work and evaluating performance.

Option 2 All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Bachelors degree with a major emphasis in one of the following:
  • Land use urban regional environmental or natural resource planning.
  • Landscape architecture.
  • Geography.
  • Land use or environmental law.
  • Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
  • A closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of professional experience in land use urban regional environmental or natural resource planning and/or program development.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience including conflict resolution training and development planning and assigning work and evaluating performance.

Option 3 All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• Eleven (11) years of professional experience in land use urban regional environmental or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; program development; or a closely related field.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience including conflict resolution training and development planning and assigning work and evaluating performance.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid drivers license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of planning principles techniques and current trends; environmental laws policies and programs related to recreation cultural resources and natural resource development; government administrative structures; and challenges affecting planning and recreation programs.
• Knowledge of recreation cultural and natural resources planning and objectives as well as principles of staff supervision.

Leadership:

• Ability to organize coordinate and lead programs processes and multidisciplinary teams; assign and monitor work; and guide others toward project goals and objectives.
• Ability to interpret information evaluate options and recommend decisions or courses of action to management based on project goals and multidisciplinary team input.

Communication Skills:

• Experience presenting information to groups preparing written and verbal reports and recommendations and analyzing and interpreting information to identify effective options and courses of action.

Facilitation and Organizational Skills:

• Experience facilitating meetings and collaborative processes to make decisions solve problems develop plans and resolve disputes.
• Experience building collaborative relationships identify areas of common interest and gather research and organize information from diverse sources.

Planning Skills:

• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans for WDFW-managed lands including Wildlife Area plans recreation management outreach and Discover Pass initiatives.
• Experience evaluating proposed actions and timelines against organizational mission and values integrating plans across programs and disciplines and making informed decisions regarding the relevance feasibility and overall value of plans.
• Experience developing instructional materials and guidance for implementing legislation rules policies procedures and program strategies.

Your application should include the following:

• An unofficial or official college transcript.
• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position your relevant skills and experience and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the Benefits tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents please use the following link: and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at .
• Veterans only Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy) NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number position and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 Biologist 1 Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in .

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFWs efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit Agency and the citizens of Washington.

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.

Request an accommodation:Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone or email or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at .

Technical Difficulties:If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or .

Other questions:If you have other questions regarding this position please reach out to and reference job#.

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