Forest Habitats Section Manager – Environmental Planner 5 – Permanent – 2026-05719

Title- Forest Habitats Section Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status– Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program– Habitat Program – Ecosystem Services Division
Duty Station– Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.
Posting Timeframe– This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until August 2, 2026. The first review of applications will take place on July 24, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As the senior planning consultant for the Forest Habitats Section, you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping the future of Washington’s forest habitats. 

Working alongside state and federal agencies, local governments, and land managers, you’ll help develop and implement strategies that protect, restore, and enhance the fish and wildlife habitats that sustain Washington’s natural resources. 

You’ll also represent the agency on technical and policy committees, build strong partnerships, and coordinate cross-program efforts to advance major forest habitat restoration initiatives.

What to Expect:
The primary responsibilities of the Forest Habitats Section Manager include:

Identify and resolve major forest health and management issues:

• Forest Practices: Serve as the department representative on forest practices, collaborating with the state natural resource caucus, tribal governments, and other partners through the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife Policy Committee to advance fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation and enhancement.
• Forest Health: Serve as the department representative in inter-agency forums addressing forest health and management issues, promoting solutions that support fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with federal and state agencies, tribal and local governments, and private landowners to strengthen support for forest management plans, policies, and actions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitat, particularly when decisions involve negotiations, appeals, or other legal proceedings.

Manage the Habitat Program’s Forest Habitats Section:

• Establish Section priorities in collaboration with staff, aligning work with the department’s Strategic Plan and Ecosystem Services Division priorities.
• Deliver Section priorities by effectively managing budgets, grants, contracts, and projects while ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and contractual obligations.
• Provide strong leadership and supervision by setting clear performance expectations, supporting professional development, and fostering employee recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction.
• Deliver training and technical assistance to Section staff and the department’s regional biologists by developing and sharing guidance, technical resources, and best practices that promote consistent conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, and exceptional customer service.
• Coordinate with Forest Habitats Section staff and Regional Habitat Program Managers (RHPMs) regarding forest work priorities to ensure statewide effectiveness of forest management services.
• Expand awareness and use of WDFW data, tools, and technical assistance through outreach, customer engagement, and communication efforts that improve fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation outcomes.

Develop and recommend forest management strategies:

• Test and implement forest management approaches that advance fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation through coordination with managers and policy staff within the department and with other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as tribes and landowners.
• Review proposed legislation and respond to legislative assignments that would affect forest management in order to identify potential effects on the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Assemble, organize, and oversee multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams to achieve proactive forest habitat conservation and management and the objectives of the Forest Habitats Section.
• Coordinate with the Wildlife and Fish Programs to develop both landscape and site-specific forest management approaches that achieve inter-program and agency goals and objectives for fish and wildlife protection and recovery.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: This position is primarily office-based with occasional field work. Field activities may include off-road travel, working in inclement weather, and exposure to a variety of outdoor environmental conditions and hazards. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. A minimum of 20% of time is in person at the NRB in Olympia, in the field, or outside of the home office. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs after completion of probation/trial service period.

Travel Requirements: Approximately 10% travel (about two days per month) is required for meetings, site visits, workshops, and forums throughout Washington State.

Customer Interactions: Responsible for legislative matters, resolving contentious issues, and engaging with leaders and major stakeholders. Requires exceptional interpersonal, communication, and diplomatic skills. Provide technical direction to internal and external program and agency professional staff on complex or controversial studies and projects. May represent the agency in policy-level negotiations, discussions, and coordination with state and federal agencies.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A bachelor’s degree with a major emphasis in natural resource science and/or planning, fisheries or wildlife management; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or a closely related field.

AND

Five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource science and/or planning, fisheries or wildlife management; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or a closely related field.

Please Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• A master’s degree with a 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 a closely related field.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, employee training and development, work planning and assignment, and performance evaluation.
• Experience interpreting and applying department and state policies to recommend effective courses of action, balancing analysis, sound judgment, and professional experience while leading major program activities and staff toward successful outcomes.
• Experience applying knowledge of fish and wildlife biology and forest ecology to anticipate fish and wildlife habitat needs and mitigate for potential impacts of forest management.
• Experience interpreting technical information for inclusion in support of policies and management strategies.
• Experience working with or for forestry proponents, stakeholders, or regulators to successfully develop and implement forest management plans and solutions that protect fish and wildlife habitats while maintaining working forests.
• Experience building partnerships and facilitating cooperative activities with diverse teams.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.

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 (3) 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 Ashley.Lee@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: 2026-1234 – 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-05719.

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