Forest Habitats Section Manager - Environmental Planner

Description

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.

Role Summary

As the senior planning consultant for the Forest Habitats Section, the Forest Habitats Section Manager will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of Washington’s forest habitats. The position works alongside state and federal agencies, local governments, and land managers to develop and implement strategies that protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats. The manager represents the agency on technical and policy committees, builds strong partnerships, and coordinates cross-program efforts to advance major forest habitat restoration initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 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 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 multidisciplinary 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…