Westside Operations Manager- Special Use and Commercial Leasing

Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $5,398.00 - $7,254.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 5/18/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:

Special Use Lease Administration - Designated expert for all aspects of lease administration for special use leases in Western Washington.

• Independently performs all aspects of lease administration and compliance, including negotiating new and expiring contracts, inspections, rent adjustments, payments, and insurance.
• Determines fair market rental values either independently or in consultation with the department's Chief Appraiser.
• Consults with the Office of Attorney General, Department, and other agency specialists as necessary.
• Resolves any leasing disputes in a prompt and professional manner.
• Regularly informs and updates Westside Region management on the status of the leases in their geographic area and ensures their concerns are addressed.
• Serves as the information source for questions and identifies concerns relating to the acquisition, disposition, transfer, or exchange of Western Washington Trust Lands under lease.
• Evaluates state lands to establish best use, management improvements, and to initiate development actions and priorities.

Commercial Lease Support - Responsible for providing support to the Commercial Real Estate program.

• Performs all aspects of lease administration and compliance under the direction of the Commercial Real Estate Program Manager.
• Assists with maintaining and updating the CRE property list and status of leases.
• Drafts and completes lease assignments, lease amendments, and rent adjustments.
• Assists with resolving any leasing disputes in a prompt and professional manner.
• Provides support for new lease negotiation and manages due diligence process and lease procedures pursuant to DNR CRE policy and procedures.

Special Use Program Development

• Identifies the need for Special Use Leasing program guidance and training, and works with the Assistant Division Manager and Commercial Real Estate Program Manager to develop a plan for providing guidance, training and implementation.
• Develops and updates programmatic policies and procedures.
• Develops Special Use leasing document templates.
• Performs other duties as assigned for Special Use Leasing development.
• Coordinates with Division and Region staff to develop operating and capital budget proposals and assists in monitoring Region and Division expenditures.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in business, real property, or other natural resource-related field, AND (5) five years of professional leasing or land management experience; OR a combination of education and/or experience equivalent.
• Experience in negotiating legal contracts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, or similar database management, and the ability to learn new software programs as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience drafting policies and procedures.
• Experience conducting financial analysis for identifying fair market values on leases.
• Working knowledge of DNR leasing programs, functions, and business needs.
• Experience using GIS to prepare, view, and print maps.
• Working knowledge of DNR’s NaturE system or LAMs.
• Experience developing and managing a budget, preferably a state agency program budget.