Teanaway Recreation Specialist, Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS3)

State of Washington•Ellensburg, WA

63d•Onsite

About The Position

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference? Are you interested in working in a position that leaves a lasting impact on outdoor recreation in central Washington? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative environment? DNR is looking for a friendly, driven individual to be their Teanaway Recreation Specialist. The Teanaway Community Forest demonstrates how conservation, sustainable forestry, and community partnership goals can be achieved. This beautiful 50,241-acre landscape lies at the headwaters of the Yakima Basin watershed. The state purchased the land in 2013 with funding provided by the Legislature and established Washington's first state-owned community forest. The forest contains nearly 400 miles of free-flowing streams and prime habitat for fish and wildlife. It has a history of grazing and timber harvests and offers unique recreation opportunities. The law establishing the forest set up clear goals, including maintaining and, where possible, expanding recreation opportunities consistent with watershed protection, for activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping, birding, and snowmobiling. Working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee, DNR completed the Teanaway Community Forest (TCF) Recreation Plan in 2018 to guide the future of designated recreation and public access in the TCF. The TCF Recreation Plan is currently being implemented, and current or upcoming priorities include ongoing development of a non-motorized summer trail system in the West Fork Teanaway, development of a future scenic driving loop, and planning efforts for future campground and day use area improvements. The recreation plan was developed to support the five management goals of the forest while providing opportunities for activities including hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, scenic driving, snowmobiling, and motorcycling, as well as fishing, hunting, and nature activities. The agencies and the advisory committee established five goals for the recreation plan: Ensure recreational activities and facilities are consistent with watershed protection, working lands, and habitat restoration. Provide a sustainable network of safe, enjoyable recreational trails. Evaluate the suitability of continued and/or expanded motorcycle use within the forest. Establish consistent law enforcement and public education presence between public agencies, user groups, and citizen volunteers. Support existing partnerships and promote new collaboration between public agencies, user groups, and citizen volunteers. The individual to fill this position will be heavily involved in the implementation of this plan and will be expected to encourage people to participate in the recreation site development processes throughout the implementation phase. Collaboration with partners is a key element of community forest work. This position provides professional-level recreation expertise on DNR uplands managed for current and future citizens for the state to 1) sustain long-term ecosystem and economic viability; and 2) ensure long-term access to the forest lands and the benefits derived from them. Sustaining long-term ecosystem protection and productivity is achieved through planning, enhancing, and managing public use on state trust lands. This position helps the Southeast Region achieve the mission through strong leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and excellent planning.

Requirements

Two years' experience working collaboratively with multiple DNR programs and other agencies or similar land management experience.
Two years' experience working collaboratively with volunteers, user groups, and the general public on natural resources-related recreation.
Two years' experience working with forest-based land-use law and recreation-use law and practices such as SEPA, NEPA, Forest Practice Rules, HCP, etc.
Two years' experience working with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, as well as preparing written reports, memos, forms, and other records.
Two years' experience supervising and evaluating employee or work crew performance, and planning and prioritizing work.
Experience in public outreach and education.
Experience working with GPS equipment and knowledge of basic GIS principles.
Experience writing planning documents, preparing cost estimates, overseeing and coordinating design work, and negotiating with public officials and diverse agency
staff.
Working knowledge of forest management activities and State trust land responsibilities.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
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.
DNR Core Competencies: Personal Accountability Value Others Compassionate Communication Inspire Others Commitment to Excellence
Position's assigned duty station is the Southeast Region Office in Ellensburg, WA. The large majority (up to 60%) of work is performed alone or with a small team in isolated, unimproved natural areas. The rest of the assigned work (up to 40%) is performed in an office setting. Duty assignments will primarily be in the Teanaway Community Forest; however, depending on the needs of the District, Region, or Agency, assignments may occur throughout the SE Region. Incumbent must be able to cover reasonable distances per day in the field, covering moderate to difficult terrain in various weather conditions using forestry tools and equipment to conduct tasks. Incumbent must be able to ride an off-road vehicle on established easy-to-difficult multiple-use trails.
This position regularly works independently in remote locations and drives on primitive forest roads in variable weather conditions. Overnight travel and travel to other parts of the Southeast Region may occur as needed to support the Region's recreation program projects and collaborative work.
A valid driver's license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. 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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree involving major study in outdoor recreation management or other natural resources management, and two years of professional program development and management experience.
Ability to provide presentations to the public and other agency staff.
Familiarity with using power tools and other common trail maintenance equipment.

Responsibilities

Implementing the Teanaway Community Forest Recreation Plan.
Supervising and mentoring a Recreation Maintenance Mechanic.
Independently planning, coordinating, and leading volunteer events throughout the year.
Recruiting, screening, training, evaluating, and recognizing volunteers for their work.
Fostering good working relations with the community and partners by being transparent about our operations and consulting with the TCF Advisory Group, G5 advocacy group, adjacent landowners, and external partners.
Educating the public about sustainable recreation use and the benefits of the community forest.
Processing recreation permits, including environmental risk assessments, HCP compliance, Recreation Plan compliance, trails policy, policy for sustainable forests, Teanaway Forest management plan, and SEPA.
Identifying and recommending potential grant opportunities and projects for recreational sites in the Region.
Creating high-quality standardized GIS map products utilizing local mapping protocols and ArcGIS/SUMA in consultation with GIS specialists for external partners.
Collecting data for boundaries, streams, wetlands, live trees, and road/trail locations utilizing various types of GPS.

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, visit here to learn more
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
A comprehensive benefits package 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.