Title- Assistant Lands Agent
Classification- Property & Acquisition Specialist 
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program 
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Be a part of managing over one (1) million acres of diverse landscapes from hatcheries, shellfish beds, wildlife areas to public fishing access areas.

Assist the Lands Agent for Region 6 in real estate services, supporting both regional staff and the public with technical expertise.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Lands Agent will, 

Review and apply laws, WDFW policies, real estate principles, and contractual agreements in issuing permits for the commercial, recreational, and scientific use of WDFW land:

• Manage requests for permits allowing temporary use of department lands by consulting with Lands Agent and other regional staff.
• Prepare and maintain permit files and logs.
• Assist with reviewing requests for long-term use of department property such as leases, permits, easements, or other documents.
• Assist or perform site visits and research in resolving property rights issues with landowners, to include but not limited to, boundary line disputes, easements, and/or trespass issues.

Apply laws, methods, and principles covering real estate transactions for management of WDFW property: 

• Prepare and maintain property management files and records.
• Evaluate and respond to requests for use of WDFW lands from all Region 6 programs.
• Use Lands Inventory Database System (LIS), Smartsheet, existing regional RES files and county records to research inquiries related to WDFW land maps, ownership records, and fund source documents.
• Correspond with landowners, performs site inspections, and documents results of Conservation Easements.
• Participate in Restoration Pathway process for habitat projects in Region 6.
• Participate in District Team meetings representing Real Estate Services.
• Prepare or provide information to advise Regional Management Team on aspects of issues relating to real estate.

Assist the Region 6 Lands Agent with real estate transactions within Region 6 involving acquisitions, exchanges, conversions, and/or property dispositions:

• Consult with staff in determining the feasibility of potential acquisitions and property rights as assigned by Lands Agent.
• Conduct due diligence such as reviewing title commitments, baselines, and environmental site assessments, and drafting documents.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work 75% of time in an office setting conducting general property management and acquisition activities involving the review or creation of documents, responding to email or phone inquiries. Office-related hazards may include prolonged exposure to fluorescent lighting, extended periods of computer use, repetitive data entry, and sitting or standing for long durations.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., 40 hours per week with potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% of time may be in travel or overnight status.

Customer Interactions: Attend meetings, respond to phone calls, emails and onsite inspections.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: High school diploma and one (1) year of experience as a Property & Acquisition Specialist 1.

Option 2: High school diploma and two (2) years of professional experience in one (1) or more of the following areas:

• Property or land management including land use permitting.
• Real estate transactions (buying, selling, or leasing).
• Title research or examination.
• Property inspections or permitting.
• Negotiating leases or land use agreements.
• Working with land records, surveys, or legal property descriptions.
• Escrow and closing coordination.
• Appraising or auditing property for market valuation.
• Supporting land acquisitions or conservation efforts.

Option 3: High school diploma and three (3) years of professional experience in a customer service role within a natural resource, conservation, or environmental agency, or equivalent relevant experience.

Option 4: Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, real estate, natural resource management, urban planning, environmental studies, or a closely related field.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Licensed real estate agents and/or brokers in the state of Washington will be required to place their license on hold within 30 days of employment. 30-day timeline may be negotiated prior to and/or upon employment.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret maps, legal descriptions, and land surveys.
• Experience managing multiple priorities or land-related tasks under tight timelines.
• Proficiency in de-escalating interactions with the public.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of title searches and escrow closing procedures.
• Proven ability to identify and resolve issues independently using critical thinking.
• Skilled in using software such as Microsoft Office Suite, GIS mapping tools, or document databases.
• Experience presenting information or land use proposals to internal or external audiences.

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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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: 2024-1234 – 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05052.

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