Senior Restoration Specialist - Environmental Planner 4 - Permanent - *15503-23
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
SENIOR RESTORATION SPECIALIST
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER 4
Habitat Program – Region 2
Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County
This position may be eligible for telework. The default assigned work location of all WDFW positions – both on-site and telework-eligible positions – are within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
Please note: This recruitment is posted until filled, with a first review of applications to take place on December 27, 2023. Application review will be ongoing, and therefore, we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.
Plan and manage salmon recovery projects with a focus on the Upper Columbia geographic area.
Provide technical and policy support for planning, implementing, and assessing restoration approaches and best practices.
Columbia River near Canadian border – Photo Credit: Kevin Layton
This is an opportunity to lead discussions and negotiate agreements associated with habitat restoration projects and opportunities on WDFW lands by cooperatively engaging regional and district teams.
In this dynamic role, you will accomplish restoration through understanding and translating habitat and salmon models to basin-specific restoration.
We are seeking a candidate to support leveraging and partnering around federal funding for the Upper Columbia geographic area.
Duties
Our Senior Restoration Specialist will:
Lead internal and external coordination, facilitate support, and seek funding to aid others in developing habitat restoration and enhancement opportunities:
- Actively engages co-managers and partners in restoration planning, including the area tribes, Regional Fish Enhancement Groups, Lead Entities, state and federal agencies, and other restoration entities. Actively collaborates with each entity to help them achieve, supported salmon recovery goals, and on a larger scale generating and facilitating basin level discussions and efforts.
- Understand how fish and habitat science and models inform restoration priorities, seeks habitat project opportunities using collaborative partnerships and community involvement.
- Accept stakeholder input, evaluate concerns, and recommend actions to WDFW management.
- Lead discussions and negotiate agreements associated with habitat restoration projects and opportunities on WDFW lands cooperatively engaging regional and district teams.
- Ensure restoration projects are completed following and consistent with the Restoration Pathway guidelines and policy.
Develops fundable restoration project proposals and manages planning, design, and/or implementation of restoration projects:
- Develop proposals for new and/or expanded projects that meet highest habitat need and recovery objectives of tribal and regional recovery plans (e.g. salmon) and other related actions and initiatives lead by the agency.
- Working with the Fish Program, NOAA Fisheries, tribal co-managers, and other collaborators, assemble habitat and fisheries data to inform the development of goals, objectives, and actions for advancement of restoration projects.
- Identify land ownership and potential project constraints or risks, and options for resolution of these issues.
- Coordinate with regional habitat, fish and wildlife biologists and engineers, prepare recommendations for WDFW Regional Management Team consideration of project proposals, and brief staff on status of restoration project implementation.
Develop and manage grants and effective and efficient budgets:
- Work with supervisor and program budget managers to develop fiscally responsible proposals and scopes of work.
- Professionally engage WDFW contract and budget management support staff to ensure timely and accurate data reflect management actions.
- Work with fiscal team and CAMP to develop receivable contracts with restoration partners for restoration work.
- Develop and manage payable subcontracts to implement restoration projects.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Works primarily in office and meeting settings; travels to meetings within the Region and statewide, as needed. Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
- Health, Safety, or Administrative Requirements: Capable of walking over rough terrain for short distances (<1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles).
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, although schedule varies with work and travel requirements. Incumbent may work a flexible work schedule subject to supervisory approval.
- Occasional evening meetings are required.
- Willingness and ability to work extended hours as necessary to complete assignments.
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Travel Requirements:
- Up to 15% of the time, periodic statewide or regional travel and occasional attendance at evening meetings required.
- May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Uses laptop computer and remote access to internal WDFW applications; uses cell phone.
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Customer Interactions:
- Interacts with state agency, tribal, and local governments staff and leads, including Ecology, Agriculture, Health, county commissioners, tribal staff, and the public.
- Interactions involve helping to inform WDFW’s position on salmon restoration and recovery.
- Effective negotiation with clients, local government, tribal governments.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in fish or wildlife biology/management, environmental planning/science, or closely related field is required for this position.
And
- Three (3) years of professional (paid) experience in environmental or natural resource management, planning, or program development.
- A Master’s in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of required experience.
- A Doctorate degree in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of required experience.
Or
- One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3.
Competencies:
- Self-awareness and humility – Be aware of and able to manage one’s emotions; ability to take interest in and understand the perspective of others; seek and easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas; demonstrate appropriate assertiveness; be committed to service of the public, mission, and team.
- Management Principles – Working understanding of advanced principles of management, including strategic planning, developing, and monitoring budgets, contract negotiation, program/project management, conflict resolution.
- Communication – Ability to write and speak about complex or controversial information in a way that is both understandable and non-confrontational to different audiences. Writing (letters, memos, and emails) should be organized, clear and concise, use principles of “plain talk” and be effective, yet tactful.
- Collaboration – Building working relationships among various stakeholder groups is essential for positive outcomes to fish and wildlife.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the required qualifications above, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- A Master's degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
And
- Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
Preferred Competencies:
- Applied fish and wildlife management techniques, general ecological principles and practices, conservation, and restoration biology.
- Environmental engineering principles.
- Working knowledge of marine, nearshore, and freshwater ecosystems.
- Environmental regulations, including SEPA, HPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Growth Management Act, and Shoreline Management Act.
- Human influences to aquatic ecosystems.
- Advocacy based on goals of WDFW (protect and restore ecosystem function and processes for fish and wildlife habitat.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable/listed on your application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
UNION - WAFWP:
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
As part of WDFW’s 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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
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