Conservation Easement Program Manager

Location: Natural Resources Building - Olympia, WA

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $5,812.00 - $7,817.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 04/09/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

This position is responsible for making recommendations to achieve program goals and objectives, managing allocation of program resources, ensuring budget is appropriately managed, setting and adjusting program priorities, and is consistently reviewing and ensuring program effectiveness. This position plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative, and productive working relationships within Forest Regulation Division Small Forest Landowner Office, small forest landowners, and with our external partners and collaborators.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the agency expert for the implementation and interpretation of the requirements established in the Washington State Forest Practices Act and Rules regarding the Small Forest Landowner Conservation Easement Programs (FREP and RHOSP).
• Promote a positive team-based approach to problem solving and public service.
• Evaluate, identify and implement program improvements needed to achieve fair and consistent statewide implementation of the Small Forest Landowner Conservation Easement Programs.
• Provide expertise in program requirements:
• Serve as an expert on the application process of the statewide Conservation Easement Programs 
• Provide oversight of conservation easement requirements to achieve established outcomes for the Statewide Programs
• Prepare and deliver annual reporting of program accomplishments 
• Monitor work performed by staff and provide constructive feedback 
• Train staff on their position duties, tasks, roles and accountability
• Oversee and provide guidance to the conservation easement the timber cruise program
• Provide technical assistance to landowners, Forest Regulation Division and other DNR staff regarding the Small Forest Landowner Conservation Easement Programs
• Oversees the evaluation of proposed land transactions, including legal descriptions, title reports, encumbrance documents, maps, photos, surveys, and any other property information required for determining the feasibility and value of a transaction
• Participate independently and with the Manager of the Small Forest Landowners Office in a variety of external meetings to share information and collaboratively resolve issues and problems

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Science/Management or closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• 3 years of professional experience practicing forest management skills.
• 3 years of experience in a leadership role or experience leading technical staff.
• Experience and Competency with ESRI products and mapping software.
• Experience with general forest management theory and practices including timber cruising methods and procedures, as well as measurement and marketability by species, grade, and defect.
• Knowledge of current state forest practices statutes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and agency practices.
• Experience using software designed to gather and report timber cruise data.
• Experience collecting data using a Global Positioning System (GPS) in a forest setting.
• Experience creating a GIS database using mapping software.
• Experience in preparing and administering contracts.
• Experience in resource protection buffer layout in a forested setting.

Required Competencies: 

• Accustomed to providing and explaining technical information to a wide variety of audiences.
• Accustomed to communicating clearly and concisely with staff at all organizational levels.
• Supervisory and team building skills.
• Competent to collect data using a Global Positioning System (GPS) in a forest setting.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• The work will be split between work in an office/teleworking setting (80%) and work in the field (20%). Field work will be conducted in isolated, managed forests throughout Washington State; must be able to traverse by foot in uneven terrain safely and may be exposed to inclement weather, insects and wildlife. A vehicle will be available when needed. With approval from the Appointing Authority, tele-working for a portion of work time is an option.
• Travel will be required with a few overnight stays a month. Field work will be accessed by vehicle, often in remote areas on unpaved road surfaces.
• A current valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of delineation of Channel Migration Zones and critical habitat for state listed threatened or endangered species.
• Familiarity with land transaction process (title examination, valuations, closing process, etc.).
• Highly motivated toward accomplishing set goals.
• Convey messages clearly and persuasively.
• Experience working with small forest landowners.