Delphi Unit Manager and Elbe Unit Manager, Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS3)

Full Job Description

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $4,865.00 - $6,539.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/3/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our South Puget Sound Region as a Unit Forester.

Are you someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about becoming a Unit Forester working for Washington State? If you love working outdoors, appreciate a remote natural environment, have good forest management skills, a working knowledge of timber harvesting methods, and enjoy being a part of a high-functioning team, then this job might be for you. The Department of Natural Resources, South Puget Sound Region, is looking for a Unit Forester to join our Delphi Unit or Elbe Unit.

What we will trust you with: This position is responsible for forest management planning, presales, and contract administration in the Delphi or Elbe unit, including the following duties:

• Representing the DNR's interests to private operators, business, governmental officials, and the public where there is involvement in complex, sensitive issues affecting the Unit;
• Act as the project manager in the implementation of the dynamic 5-year forest management plan for the Unit;
• Supervising/having responsibility for a total of 3 to 4 permanent professional staff, including hiring, training, and disciplinary action;
• Responsible for all field operations in the Uni,t including:
  • Local government coordination, public outreach, and communications
  • Managing the Unit staff to achieve a timber sale cut of approximately 13 million board feet in the Elbe Unit or 25.5 million board feet in the Delphi Unit of timber annually, and the administration of 4-6 timber sales annually.
  • Manage an engineer to ensure all existing and newly constructed roads are maintained and built to Forest Practice Standards

Requirements

Responsibilities:
As the Delphi Unit Forester or Elbe Unit Forester, this position is responsible for forest management within the Unit, including:

Plan, lead, organize, and manage the workload performed by Unit staff to ensure all deliverables are met, while being respectful of the environmental, economic, and social authorizing environments in which we operate.

Ensure all activities are compliant with all lines and regulations and all agency policies, procedures, and guidelines. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources.

Maintain the highest standard of professional/personal and ethical conduct to support the State’s goals for a diverse workforce.

Work collaboratively with region management to achieve common goals and positive results.

Ensure staff resource allocations are appropriately managed to accomplish deliverables and assignments. Key deliverables are making the unit timber sales cut to achieve district volume deliverables.

Work with the District Manager to balance region volume deliverable by trust and quarterly targets. Deal with highly sensitive resource issues.

Work collaboratively with agencies, tribes, environmental groups, industry, local governments, and the general public.

Supervision: Maintain a safe working environment. Enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely evaluations.

Provide professional developmental opportunities and training that will enhance the unit staff's personal and professional growth in preparation for their professional career goals.

Mentor staff and provide a positive working environment where people are respected and valued professionally.

Maintain and develop positive and effective supervisory relationships with staff, including completing evaluations, responding appropriately to disciplinary situations, representing and supporting staff to resolve conflicts, and handling routine personnel issues.

Make decisions for balancing career development with production obligations. Filling vacant positions to meet business needs, including screening for and selecting new employees.

Support effective and positive communication throughout the organization. Provide recommendations regarding issues involving state land management.

Act as liaison between the region and programs for which you are responsible and the public.

Work to collaboratively share staff and resources between state lands units, recognizing that there are no hard unit geographic lines. And we work together to achieve the deliverables as a region.

Work to ensure this message is communicated to your staff, and they understand the message is about the team and success as a whole, not as individuals.

Work to resolve sensitive resource issues with a variety of partners.

Develop and foster collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to find creative and innovative solutions.

Represent the Department’s interests when interacting with private operators, purchasers, businesses, government officials, and the public where there is involvement in sensitive, complex issues in the District, Region, or Agency.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry or other closely related field; AND two years of professional forestry experience;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Experience in applying theory, policy, principles, and practices of the forestry profession as applied to Northwestern States (i.e.

fundamentals of silviculture of Northwest species, markets and economics, cruising methods, sales layout, logging methods, engineering, plant nutrition, propagation and weed control, reforestation and intensive forest practices, recreation, multiple use, inventory, water quality, watershed management and basic principles of fisheries management).

• Professional experience in the application of forest management objectives and timber management planning.
• Experience preparing and/or managing timber sales contracts.
• Experience with ground and cable logging systems and forest road construction.
• Experience with, and understanding of, Forest Practice rules, natural resource law, and practices.
• Experience with computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with GPS technology and GIS mapping products.
• Demonstrated regard for safety in all aspects of the working environment.
• Understanding of current forest management plans, Habitat Conservation Plan, and associated agency policies and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong Facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to assign work and set performance standards and expectations.
• Ability to provide performance feedback and coaching.
• Ability to foster employee motivation and performance-based recognition.
• Ability to provide training and development.
• Dedication to a Safe Workplace: Demonstrates leadership in the maintenance and development of a safe and healthy work environment.
• Communications Effectiveness.
• Team Leadership.
• Customer Focus.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

The position's assigned duty station is a district work center. A large percentage (45-50%) of work is performed alone in isolated managed forest areas.

Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.

Office work requires the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desks, files, cabinets, computers, telephones, fax machines, copy machines, etc.) in a climate-controlled building.

Position requires large amounts of time in the field, traveling alone between timber sale activities and the region office.

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:

• Bachelor’s degree in forest management, forest operations, or silviculture specific to forestry in the Northwest USA.
• Three years of professional forestry experience.
• A WSDA Pesticide Applicators License.
• Experience practicing forestry and silviculture tasks involved in the management of State trust lands.
• Supervisory experience of at least 6 months, which demonstrates the ability to promote team building skills, assign work, coach, and evaluate the work product of other staff.
• Experience with timber marketing and financial appraisals.
• Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to DNR employees.
• Experience with forest growth and yield simulators.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. We are invested in acquiring the best and most innovative candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. It is important you consider and clearly communicate within your application materials how your education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience transfer to this position and the qualifications. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please contact us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Additional Information

Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications for the position and the position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least 3 professional references with current telephone numbers, including your current or most recent supervisor.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

Questions? Please contact Andrew Reed at Andrew.reed@dnr.wa.gov | (360) 481-9597 or Michael Fowler at michael.fowler@dnr.wa.gov | (360) 819-3406 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your Social Security number before attaching it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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