Planning and Recreation Section Manager - Environmental Planner

Title- Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status
- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program
- Wildlife Program – Lands 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.
Closing Date- 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position plays a key role in shaping how WDFW-managed lands and recreation opportunities are planned, managed, and enjoyed. The Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager serves as the principal planning and recreation consultant to the Wildlife Program Lands Division Manager (LDM), providing leadership and expertise on complex planning and recreation issues.

In this role, you’ll coordinate the development and implementation of environmental resource plans, programs, policies, and regulations related to the management of more than 1,000,000 acres of WDFW-managed lands and more than 480 water access sites that support recreational and commercial fishing and boating opportunities.

You’ll also provide leadership on outdoor recreation and visitor use management, travel management, and efforts to address recreation-related impacts while protecting natural and cultural resources. The P&RS Manager represents the agency’s planning and recreation interests both internally and in collaboration with other agencies, partners, stakeholders, and the public.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager will,

Lead and direct the Planning and Recreation Section:

• Manage the P&R Section and provide guidance on policy and planning to other technical staff within the Department.
• Supervise, plan, assign, and review the work of P&R Section employees, adjust assignments and schedules to respond to fluctuating workloads or constraints to deliver complete projects.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational planning for the P&R Section.
• Ensure P&R Section work products conform with WDFW Strategic Plan, the agency’s Conservation Principles, the 10-year Recreation Strategy, and other relevant agency positions, commitments and guidance.

Direct Management Planning for Wildlife Areas (WLA) and Water Access Areas (WAA):

• Direct and guide production of quality WLA and WAA Management Plans.
• Provides oversight of multi-disciplinary teams to advance Departmental conservation and recreation goals and facilitate solutions for WLA and WAA specific challenges.

Manage Recreation on DFW-Managed Lands:

• Lead development of recreation management policies, procedures, and rules for WDFW-managed Lands.
• Lead and support implementation of recreation and access policies, procedures, and rules.
• Ensure clear communication of recreation and access opportunities and rules with the public.
• Facilitate cross-agency collaboration on recreation issues with other state land managers.
• Provide leadership and/or strategic planning to address emerging recreation management needs.
• Lead efforts to support responsible recreation on WDFW-managed lands and water access areas.

Represent WDFW in Key Planning and Recreation Partnerships:

• Lead WDFW efforts to remain a recognized partner and leader in balancing conservation with compatible recreation in Washington State.
• Develop and maintain partnerships to facilitate recreation planning and management with Tribes, other state and federal land managers, conservation and recreation groups, boards, commissions, and the legislature.

Participate in Lands Division Leadership Team:

• Participate in and share leadership of regular Lands Division Leadership Team and Lands All-Staff…