Title- Puget Sound Toxic Contaminants Policy Planner
Classification- Environmental Planner 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Ecosystems Services Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- This position is approved for up to 80% telework, at the discretion of the hiring manager. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position supports the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s mission by addressing the impacts of toxic contaminants on fish, wildlife, and their habitats - particularly in the Puget Sound region and associated watersheds. 

Working within the Habitat Program's Ecosystem Services Division, the role involves coordinating with monitoring programs, developing resources, and recommending management policies to reduce contaminant impacts in critical habitats. The position collaborates internally to align science with policy and externally with agencies, Tribes, regional partners, and stakeholders to advance WDFW’s habitat conservation and recovery goals.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, Toxic Contaminants Policy Plannerwill,

Develop resources that synthesize and contextualize WDFW research on toxic contaminants in Puget Sound for use by WDFW staff and external partners and decision makers:

• Using data and reports generated by WDFW scientists, manage the development of synthesis resources (e.g. hot spot maps, guidance documents, synthesis reports) that can be used by internal and external decision makers to reduce the impact of toxic contaminants on Puget Sound habitats and species.
• Work with internal and external partners to identify future resources WDFW could produce that would advance the goal of minimizing the impact of toxic contaminants on fish and wildlife and their habitats.
• Work with agency communications staff to develop communications products that promote newly developed resources to the broader toxic contaminants management communities in the Puget Sound region.

Connect WDFW toxic contaminant monitoring work to other WDFW staff or partners working on ecosystem health, conservation or restoration in the Puget Sound region:

• Help build relationships with other state, local, and federal agencies, as well as Tribes and other interest groups that monitor toxic contaminants or work on ecosystem health, conservation or restoration in the Puget Sound region.
• Work with internal and external partners to identify current research needs to further WDFW toxic policy aims in the Puget Sound region.
• Provide coordination support (such as leading or attending quarterly partner meetings) to ensure timely communication of research results to necessary partners.

Provide subject matter expertise regarding toxic contaminant policies, management approaches and regulations in Puget Sound habitats (including marine, nearshore, estuarine, and riparian habitats):

• Assist Toxic Contaminants Policy Lead in responding to information requests regarding toxic contaminants in aquatic habitats.
• Assist as a subject matter expert in the development of policies regarding the management of toxic chemicals in the Puget Sound Region. Review proposed policies and management or recovery plans to ensure toxic contaminant impacts are adequately considered.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: This is primarily office work, but includes some driving and travel to various locations, primarily in Washington State. Infrequent field work on or near water may include water and tripping hazards. Field hazards would primarily be from proximity to water/tripping hazards (during habitat restoration site visits) or while on a motorized boat (helping document specimen collection). This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): Generally, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday- Friday with some evening and weekend work possible.

Travel: Occasional driving and travel to various locations, primarily in Washington State.

Customer Interactions: Responsible for engaging with agency staff and stakeholders to develop policy tools, which requires good interpersonal and project management skills.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. 

Option 1: A master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field with two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. 

Option 2: Bachelor's degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or public policy with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field with at least four (4) years of professional experience in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration, or environmental policy, planning, or program development.

Option 3: Associate’s degree in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration or public policy with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field with at least six (6) years of professional experience in natural resource or environmental science, natural resource or environmental planning, or public administration, or environmental policy, planning, or program development.

Option 4: One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3

In addition to the above requirements the candidate must have experience in/with the following: 

• Public-sector organizational structures and processes, with experience analyzing environmental and natural resource regulations, programs, and planning frameworks.
• Two (2) or more years of experience successfully facilitating group meetings, stakeholder discussions, or interagency workgroups, including applying project management methodologies to guide planning efforts.
• Ability to work productively with partners who may have separate programmatic or departmental goals and are not co-located.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated success conveying complex scientific, policy, or planning concepts to diverse, non-technical audiences.
• Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple long-term projects or planning initiatives simultaneously.
• Applying critical thinking and systems-level analysis to address complex natural resource planning challenges.
• Developing planning products, reports, or decision-support tools that synthesize complex environmental data for use by policy makers, land managers, or environmental health professionals.
• Interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to recognize and integrate diverse perspectives, communicate assertively and respectfully, and remain mission- and service-oriented in a dynamic work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Two (2) or more years of experience with federal, state, or local programs such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Model Toxics Control Act, etc., researching, monitoring, reporting, reducing, or regulating toxic contaminants.
• Two (2) or more years of experience with partnering with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, tribes, and the public regarding habitat protection and restoration.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills, including experience mediating, or facilitating environmental conflicts.
• Experience with fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation or restoration projects in Washington State and the natural resource laws, policies, and programs that govern this work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead an interdisciplinary project team to achieve desired and productive outcomes.
• Experience using any of the following tools in environmental science or natural resources management contexts:
  • Microsoft Office programs (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  • ArcGIS Online or other online mapping tools
  • Simple scripts in R, Python, or a similar code language to create visual representations of large amounts of data.

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

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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