Land Use Conservation & Policy; LUCP Section Manager - Environmental Planner - Perm

Land Use Conservation & Policy (LUCP) Section Manager

Classifications: Environmental Planner 5

Job Status: Full‑Time/Permanent

Duty Station: Olympia, Washington – Thurston County (telework may be offered but staff must be available to report to the duty station as needed)

Fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities implementation:

• Develop and provide plan‑ and project‑level application resources to support local governments’ land‑use planning functions and engage regional Habitat Program staff in that work.
• Provide superior customer service to Habitat Program staff and ancillary programs in support of their land‑use plan‑ and project‑level technical assistance and oversight functions.
• Oversee the development and delivery of LUCP land‑use planning products, services, and training to staff using landscape and project‑scale expertise to achieve conservation goals.
• Facilitate resolution of complex or sensitive management issues arising from planning activities, including those related to major environmental topics such as climate resilience.
• Oversee and support existing land‑use planning efforts across Washington’s prairies, forests, shrub steppe, wetlands, riparian areas, and other priority habitats in partnership with other WDFW programs and sections within the Ecosystem Services Division.
• Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with internal and external partners and stakeholders to achieve habitat conservation goals and outcomes.

• Serve as WDFW’s policy representative in inter‑agency forums addressing the Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, and related land‑use planning issues.
• Represent WDFW on inter‑agency forums addressing the Voluntary Stewardship Program and agricultural land uses.
• Collaborate with other agencies and local governments to build consensus around land‑use plans, policies, and actions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats, especially when decisions may lead to appeals.
• Consult with other state agencies, local governments, and partners to respond to legal issues affecting protection of fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for local jurisdictions concerned that WDFW is not meeting communication goals outlined in the GMA Principles of Correspondence memorandum.
• Work collaboratively with other WDFW programs to support opportunities for improved conservation outcomes with respect to land‑use planning.

• Develop and review proposed legislation and legislative assignments that affect land‑use policy and identify potential effects on conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Serve as WDFW representative or support the Habitat Program Director and regional managers on statewide and regional committees focused on collaborative land‑use and landscape conservation efforts.
• Assemble, organize, facilitate, or oversee multi‑disciplinary or multi‑agency teams as needed to fulfill these duties.

• Provide excellent supervision to LUCP staff, establishing clear performance expectations and professional development opportunities that promote high quality performance, job satisfaction, and staff retention.
• Manage financial resources, including grants, and use department budget and contract applications and project‑management skills to deliver products and services successfully.

Work setting: Office setting.

Schedule: Typically, Monday‑Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Minimum of 20% of time in‑person at the NRB in Olympia. Flexible schedule options may be available after completion of probation/trial service period.

Travel requirements: Occasional travel for training and meetings with other agency staff and local jurisdiction staff.

Customer interactions: Regular interactions with division and section‐level management; other WDFW programs; regional Habitat Program staff; city and county planning staff/directors and consultants; other state agency staff; occasional interactions with local elected officials and tribal natural resources staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in land use,…