SGCN Strategic Habitat Protection Lead - Environmental Planner 5 - Permanent - 2026-05158

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

With long-term conservation in mind, this position will develop and implement strategies that advance the voluntary protection of habitats in support of conservation and recovery of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The role requires building collaboration and teamwork, engaging and collaborating with both the internal cross-programmatic expertise of the Department and external partners, Tribes, and the public.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in natural resource or land use planning or wildlife policy or science, wildlife management or conservation biology or closely related field. (Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.)
Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife conservation or habitat protection
Two years of experience in/with: Conservation real estate property investigation and transaction.
Two years of experience in/with: Conservation plan implementation.
Experience with: Facilitating resolution of pertinent management issues arising from planning activities that are complex or sensitive, involve multiple programs, and dealing with major environmental issues.
Experience with: Researching, evaluating and drawing conclusions from data and analyses; supporting recommendations with facts and analysis; interpreting and applying rules, laws, policies and procedures.
Experience with: Conveying complex ideas and facts orally and in writing using language the audience will best understand.
Experience with: Developing positive, productive, respectful working relationships with partners and co-workers.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in landscape conservation planning/reserve design, or land use planning, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or conservation biology, conservation policy, wildlife science, natural resource, environmental, or closely related field.
Direct experience with: Orchestrating complex conservation real estate acquisition strategies including multiple partners and funding sources.
Direct experience with: Species and habitat conservation planning.
Direct experience with: Habitat Conservation Plan development and implementation.
Direct experience with: Grant-writing.
Direct experience with: Tribal consultation (state and federal).
Direct experience with: Navigating complex and diverse relationships with potentially competing interests.
Direct experience with: Multi-party coordination and facilitation, including successfully navigating strategic conversations of politically complex projects.
Direct experience with: Coordinating and leading groups, creating a cooperative and productive environment in which to resolve problems or develop and implement plans.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with partners to develop habitat protection strategies and cultivate opportunities.
Lead coordination with internal and external partners to develop habitat protection strategies that effectively conserve Species of Greatest Conservation Need, with a particular emphasis on those SGCN within the Wildlife Diversity Division portfolio such as songbirds, raptors, small mammals, butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles.
Implement strategies by identifying, prioritizing, and cultivating habitat protection opportunities with willing sellers.
Coordinate with partners to identify project leads, landowner points of contact, and intended future owners of real estate interests that have best chance of desired conservation outcome.
Work with partners to ensure protection strategies are aimed at the goals of priority collaboratives such as the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sentinel Landscape and Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative, as well as implementation of the Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan.
Shepard priority project opportunities through WDFW process to select conservation lands for acquisition (i.e., Lands 20/20).
Facilitate internal and external conversations to gather and consolidate information and rationale to complete robust and well-vetted internal real estate interest acquisition applications that addresses: purpose and need; project urgency; consistency with WDFW plans; recreational, scientific and educational opportunities; economic impacts/roles of the proposed acquisition; financial and regulatory influences of the project; target species, habitat, and ecological characteristics; management and restoration needs and initial priorities, ongoing stewardship and management costs; cultural resources, and demonstrated partnerships and local support.
Develop and deliver habitat protection grant applications.
Write and orally deliver grant applications for approved Lands 20/20 projects.
Identify and pursue new/additional sources of funding for land protection.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with Lands and Real Estate colleagues, Regional Directors, Managers, and Staff; and Game, Landowner Services, and Wildlife Diversity Division colleagues to ensure cross-programmatic needs, processes and communication are integrated.