Natural Areas Public Use Manager

NW Region Natural Areas Public Use Manager, Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS3)
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $4,865.00 – $6,539.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/3/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:

• Project Management: Work independently to provide senior-level project management for operations, capital, and grant-funded projects. Identify, research, prioritize, plan, and implement a wide variety of projects in the various Natural Areas landscapes throughout the Region, and at DNR-managed recreation sites in the San Juan Islands.
• Public Use Planning, Management, and Landscape Stewardship: Conduct senior-level recreation management and planning. Plan, prioritize, and direct work related to maintenance and operations activities on trails, and at campgrounds, picnic areas, interpretive sites, etc,. within Natural Areas throughout the Northwest Region, and at San Juan Islands recreation properties.
• Supervision: Supervise, evaluate, and mentor subordinate recreation staff, which could include staff such as recreation stewards, technicians, and education wardens.
• Outreach, Education, and Relationship Building: Work to resolve sensitive recreation-related issues with a variety of partners. Develop and foster collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to find creative and innovative solutions compatible with conservation objectives. Represent the department’s interests when interacting with the public where there are sensitive, complex issues, including unauthorized or incompatible uses or proposals. Acts as the department’s representative related to constituent or business partner inquiries.
• Site Maintenance and Construction: Directs and performs maintenance and construction of public-use facilities, including trails, bridges, restrooms, tables, small buildings, signs, etc.

Required Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in natural resources or a related field AND a minimum of two years of work experience in the following areas:
  • Professional work experience in recreation, natural resources, or a related field;
  • Experience working collaboratively with volunteers, user groups, and the general public on natural resources related to recreation;
  • Experience working with recreation use policy in forest land or conservation lands settings, including work related to SEPA, Forest Practices, County, and other permitting processes.
  • OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience with independently planning and prioritizing work and allocating resources.
• Well-developed experience in planning, writing, oral communication, and public presentation skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in both small and large group settings.
• Experience writing planning documents, preparing cost estimates, supervising and coordinating design work, negotiating with public officials, and diverse agency staff.
• Experience with GPS systems and basic GIS principles.
• Experience directing and performing physical labor, including design, installation, and/or construction of recreation facilities such as trails, bridges, tables, small buildings, signs, and the like.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of recreation management, and the important role of public involvement in program implementation.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.