South Puget Sound Region Manager
Recruitment #2023-9-1708
Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented position
Location: South Puget Sound Region- Enumclaw, WA
Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered 
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $112,700.00 - $131,447.00 Annually 

To allow for growth and salary progression the full salary range is: $112,700 - $138,366 Annually 
Positions with permanent duty stations in King County receive an additional 5% added to their monthly base salary.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/20/23. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. 

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Would you like to be part of an organization committed to realizing a bright future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive? Are you ready to meet the challenges of a changing climate and ever-increasing demands on our natural resources? Do you hold equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice as important and inseparable values vital to mission accomplishment? Do you enjoy helping others grow and reach their full potential? Would you like to live and work in one the most beautiful places on Earth? Well, this may be your dream job! We are the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and we are looking for the right person to lead the team of 205 permanent and seasonal employees who comprise DNR’s South Puget Sound Region.

What we will trust you with:

• Lead the team that delivers DNR’s mission in South Puget Sound Region: manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
• Safeguard the health, wellbeing, and productivity of the Region staff.
• Demonstrate safety as the region’s highest operational priority.
• Infuse principles and practices of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice into all aspects of Region operations.
• Support, inspire, and guide the Region staff as they work to accomplish DNR’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Commissioner of Public Lands’ chief representative within the geographic boundaries of South Puget Sound Region;
• Serve as a member of DNR’s Senior Leadership Team;
• Provide outstanding leadership for a Region staff of 165 permanent employees and 40 seasonal firefighters;
• Oversee implementation of DNR’s natural resource management and protection programs within the Region;
• Implement a pro-active workplace safety program to improve employee safety awareness and reduce accidents and injuries;
• Lead and coach the Region's implementation of DNR’s equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice initiatives;
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships and communications with elected officials, local governments, Indian Tribes, regional offices of other state and federal agencies, and stakeholder groups; and
• Develop and ensure proper utilization of a $30 million biennial operating budget.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree AND 10 years of professional level experience with a demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities in the areas of natural resource management and personnel management.
• Key Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of organizational leadership principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of continuous improvement and change management practices and processes.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of natural resource management.
  • Knowledge of wildfire prevention and suppression practices, and the Incident Command System (ICS).
  • Familiarity with Washington's Forest Practices Act and Rules.
  • Familiarity with Washington State‘s legislative process.
  • Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as these apply to the Department of Natural Resources.
• Key Skills:
  • Experience-based ability to lead a large organization.
  • Strong commitment to ethical leadership, and the goals of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and environmental justice.
  • Experience-based ability to create a positive work environment, build morale, and elicit sustained superior job performance.
  • Excellent communications skills.
  • Experience-based ability to guide a team through deadline and workload pressures, and to resolve competing workload demands.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to solve tough problems.
  • Experience-based ability to develop and implement large budgets.
  • Strong safety awareness and orientation.
• DNR Leadership Competencies: 
  • Decisiveness
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • External Awareness
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Risk Management
  • Political Savvy
• DNR Core Competencies: 
  • Personal Accountability 
  • Value Others 
  • Compassionate Communication 
  • Inspire Others 
  • Commitment to Excellence 

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Work is typically performed in an office setting or meeting rooms. Field visits within the Region are common.
• Required to travel to Olympia for monthly meetings. With a large geographic area (8 counties), frequent travel is required. On average, 3 nights per month are spent in travel status.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. 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 natural resource management issues in the Pacific Northwest.
• Awareness of Washington’s Indian Tribes, tribal sovereignty, and treaty rights.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of labor unions and collective bargaining