Natural Areas Planner, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)
About The Position
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a Natural Areas Program Environmental Planner to guide scientifically based conservation management of the department’s statewide system of natural areas. This role is part of DNR’s Recreation and Conservation Division, which manages 3 million acres of state-owned lands across four programs: Recreation, Natural Areas, Natural Heritage, and Conservation Acquisitions. The Natural Areas Program specifically manages 39 natural resources conservation areas (NRCAs) and 58 natural area preserves (NAPs) for the protection and restoration of native ecosystems and rare species. The program also facilitates educational and research access and low-impact recreation in NRCAs. The Environmental Planner will work with DNR ecologists and land managers statewide to develop and update site-specific and programmatic management plans. This position involves assessing planning needs, determining planning processes and timelines, leading interdisciplinary project teams, coordinating public involvement, and formulating recommendations for management plans. Success in this role requires knowledge of environmental planning, natural resources management, public engagement, and strong leadership skills.
Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree in natural resources planning, natural resources management, restoration ecology, environmental sciences, biological sciences, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- An additional 2 years of professionally related experience in natural resources planning, natural resources management, restoration ecology, environmental sciences, biological sciences, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of GIS technology and graphic design.
- Writing and communications skills.
- Ability to conceive and implement a management planning process to create solutions with a wide array of DNR agency ecologists and land managers, public partners, and state or local agency officials.
- Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
- Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
- A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
- State drivers must possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted.
- Driving is an essential function of this position.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working collaboratively with ecologists or land managers, agency partners, public lands user groups, and the general public on natural resources or conservation issues.
- Experience working with natural resources-based land use, environmental policy, and recreation-use policy and practices, such as: NEPA, SEPA, NRCA, or NAP management plans, Natural Heritage plans, recreation plans, or landscape conservation plans.
Responsibilities
- Coordination of multiple interdisciplinary, multi-location project teams to meet identified timelines
- Researching, or directing research, into conservation land management law and practices
- Assembling and summarizing or describing data, maps, laws and policies, and other written works for analysis by department staff and the public as part of the plan-writing process
- Creating the work-group and community-based environments that lead to scientifically sound and socially supported conservation and recreation management plans.
Benefits
- Commitment to organizational health and wellness
- Work/life balance
- DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
- Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- Professional development opportunities
- Educational and career development aid
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
- Employer contributions toward health insurance
- Paid holidays
- Retirement plans
- Sick leave
- Vacation days
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
