Landscape Conservation Section Manager – Environmental Planner 5 – Permanent – *04670-25

Title- Landscape Conservation Section Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status– Full-Time – Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Lead the development and implementation of complex environmental resource plans and policies focused on landscape-level conservation to support Washington’s at-risk species and ecosystems.

Envision yourself applying your expertise in biodiversity conservation, habitat connectivity, and collaborative landscape strategies, while guiding a dedicated team to advance agency goals and drive meaningful conservation outcomes.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Landscape Conservation Section Manager will, 

Support the implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plan to conserve Washington’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Important Habitats (IH), with a focus on landscape efforts in Washington’s prairies, forests, and shrubsteppe habitats:

• Lead Wildlife Program engagement in and implementation of, landscape-scale habitat restoration and protection programs, including Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative and South Puget Sound Sentinel Landscape.
• Support the continued advancement, utilization, and integration of relevant SGCN wildlife science into landscape scale conservation planning, range-wide recovery planning and implementation of on-the-ground actions.
• Work with the Lands Division on wildlife area, recreation, restoration and other programmatic planning, ensuring that conservation of SGCN and IH is achieved through management of WDFW lands.

Statewide Land Strategy and Policy:

• Support development and implementation of WDFW habitat protection (e.g., easements, fee-title acquisition) priorities and strategy to advance SWAP and species recovery objectives.
• Collaborate with Lands Division to support the Lands 20/20 process.
• Provide technical and policy direction to Agency staff and external partners to facilitate landscape-scale habitat protection and restoration planning and implementation.

Division Administration and Leadership:

• Direct the strategy and set objectives for the Landscape Conservation Section, which may include project development, applying for grants, coordination of external partnerships, budget setting and approval, and contract administration.
• Work with Division Manager, Assistant Division Manager, and other Section Managers to create, support, communicate, and implement Division vision and priorities both within the Department and with external partners.
• Represents WDFW at the policy-level on state and national committees and panels focused on collaborative landscape conservation efforts to facilitate implementation of on-the-ground priority actions.
• Serve as the Diversity Division liaison to Lands Division to ensure alignment of cross-programmatic conservation objectives on WDFW lands.

Staff Supervision and Guidance:

• Responsible for direct supervision of up to six (6) personnel that are focused on habitat protection, habitat restoration, and large-scale collaborations.
• Ensure that the work of the Landscape Conservation Section is coordinated with and integrates into other relevant WDFW work units within both headquarters and the regions.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with exposure to hazards mostly limited to those commonly found in government office environments. Time may be spent outdoors engaged in wildlife and habitat conservation activities on the ground. May work in inclement weather, over difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., with potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Local or regional travel is required to meet with regional staff, attend committee meetings, evaluate properties, conduct general business, or attend or provide training.

Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with internal staff, including some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated. Frequent contact with partners (state, federal and NGO).

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: A master’s degree or above with major emphasis in landscape ecology, conservation biology, wildlife science, wildlife management, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field with five (5) years of professional experience in leading landscape conservation and restoration strategies and a minimum of three (3) years of supervision experience.

Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in landscape ecology, conservation biology, wildlife science, wildlife management, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field with seven (7) years of professional experience in leading landscape conservation and restoration strategies and a minimum of three (3) years of supervision experience.

Option 3: Eleven (11) years of professional experience in leading landscape conservation and restoration strategies and a minimum of three (3) years of supervision experience.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Four (4) or more years of supervisory experience, including supervision of high-level professionals
• Five (5) years of professional experience leading high-level employees in conservation & restoration

Experience with:

• Coordinating and leading small groups, creating a cooperative and productive environment in which to resolve problems or develop and implement plans.
• Analyzing data, policy, preparing reports, and applying laws and policies.
• The presentation, facilitation, training, public speaking, and/or technical writing of complex information
• Partnering with clients, customers, and stakeholders
• Conflict resolution and relationship management
• Applying and demonstrating interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, ability to lead change, ability to produce results, and the ability to build coalitions
• Advancing habitat protection projects such as through conservation easements and fee-title acquisition.
• ArcGIS, including data management and spatial analyses

Familiarity with: 

• Laws regulations, and policies such as those associated with the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, State Environmental Policy Act, and State Growth Management Act, and federal Farm Bill.

Your application should include the following:

• 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 professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental 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:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Veteran 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: 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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04670.

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