Aquatics Division, Assistant Assets Manager

Assistant Division Manager – Asset Management, WMS2
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary:  $8,574.00 – $9,998.00 Monthly
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $8,574.00 – $10,526.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/24/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatic Resources Division. Come help us manage state-owned aquatic lands so that people and fish and wildlife thrive, businesses and eelgrass meadows grow, and waterfront public access and salmon are preserved in perpetuity. 

We are looking for an experienced supervisor to be the Aquatics Assistant Division Manager for Asset Management, leading an amazing team of professional staff who manage, protect, and restore aquatic lands across Washington State. 

The Assistant Division Manager serves as a leader in both Asset Management and the Aquatic Resources Division in developing and maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming work environment for all. The position also works directly with individual citizens, private industry, Tribes, other governments, and partners to ensure resources are managed to preserve ecological and economic viability, including cleanup, pollution prevention, habitat conservation and protection, restoration, and assessment of the proper use of state-owned aquatic lands. 

If you are fascinated by and enjoy the following, you may be an ideal candidate:

• The DNR mission
• Encouraging and supporting diversity, innovation, collaboration, and creativity within your team and in partnership with DNR staff across the state
• Mastering unusual, often technical topics such as sediment quality standards, SEPA, legal descriptions, scientific research, and environmental protection statutes and rules
• Helping your staff, colleagues, and senior managers solve complex public policy, environmental, and real property management problems
• Fostering water-dependent uses, encouraging direct public use and access, and managing natural resources in a sustainable manner by developing and supporting implementation of habitat stewardship measures
• Supporting further development of programs that use boats, ROVs, drones, and other innovative approaches to managing Aquatic Reserves and other aquatic lands
• Supporting a successful, growing Derelict Vessel Removal team that operates statewide
• Managing Non-routine work; even experienced staff learn something new nearly every day
• Providing excellent customer service both internally and externally

Responsibilities:
This position acts as a principal assistant to the Aquatic Resources Division Manager. This position is responsible for management of the Asset Management Section, which includes: Derelict Vessel Removal Program, Restoration and Derelict Structure Removal Program, Sediment Quality Program (including Port Management), and Aquatic Reserves Program. 

Specific objectives of the ADM are to:

• Build and lead a team that encourages and supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in concert with innovation, collaboration, and creativity.
• Maintain and foster an inclusive and welcoming culture in the Aquatic Resources Division.
• Develop respectful relationships characterized by clear communication with our partners, lessees/grantees, and applicants.
• Provide oversight of derelict vessel removals and guide further enhancement of the program.
• Provide oversight of the development and implementation of aquatic restoration and removal of derelict structures.
• Provide oversight of the creation and management of aquatic reserves.
• Provide oversight of sediment quality management.
• Protect, restore and enhance aquatic ecosystems through management actions.
• Provide expert guidance and oversight to facilitate consistent and lawful Application of programs managed by the ADM.
• Ensure business practices lead to an increase in efficiency, accountability and responsiveness.

These issues require a high level of critical thinking and political awareness. Coordinating with division experts, executive management, external interest holders, legislators, and legislative staff is critical as these groups are often concerned with fundamental changes of statewide significance. Generally, these issues and any changes that result have legal, political, and financial implications for all of these groups. 

This position directly supports all of DNR’s Strategic priorities, in particular, Make DNR a Great Place to Work and Serve Washington’s Lands and Communities and Protect our Lands and Waters and the Aquatic Resources Division Strategic Framework.

Required Qualifications: 

You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in natural resource management, forestry, geography, marine science, other science, engineering, land use or environmental planning, public policy, or other relevant field; AND five (5) years of related professional and/or project management work experience, including supervisory experience, in one of the aforementioned specialties;
  OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and implementing statutes and regulations, drafting legislation, reviewing and analyzing legislation, and preparation of legislative testimony.
• Experience negotiating contentious issues in a respectful, responsive, and informed manner.
• Experience using Microsoft suite such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Required Competencies: 

• Knowledge of natural resources laws and practices.
• Skills managing staff time and expenditures to meet budgets.
• Knowledge of contracts, business and/or property management.
• Customer service oriented.
• Collaboration skills in resolving issues in an active, respectful, cooperative and professional manner.
• Skills in managing complex issues in a politically sensitive manner.
• Skills in managing relationships and team-building.
• Communicates using both verbal and written forms to guide teams and support organizational goals.
• Anticipates potential obstacles, adjusts plans proactively, and communicates priorities to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.

Desired Qualifications:
These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.

• Master’s or higher degree in natural resource management, real estate, forestry, geography, marine science, other science, engineering, land use or environmental planning, public policy, business or other relevant field.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing staff time and expenditures to meet budgets.
• Experience with real estate management, including commercial real estate practices, appraisal, and lease/contract management and development.
• Experience negotiating with governments including Tribes and local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
• Experience in giving testimony to legislative bodies and public presentations.
• Experience working with natural resource management/environmental protection issues.
• Knowledge of state legislative and political processes.