Please see notice below for information on a unique employment opportunity in outdoor recreation.
Teanaway Recreation Specialist / Natural Resource Specialist 3
Southeast Region – Ellensburg
Recruitment # 2020-11-3347
This is a full-time, permanent, represented position.
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you interested in working in a position that leaves a lasting impact on outdoor recreation in eastern Washington? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative environment? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is looking for a friendly, driven individual to be their Teanaway Recreation Specialist.
 The Teanaway Community Forest demonstrates how conservation, sustainable forestry, and community partnership goals can be achieved. This beautiful 50,241-acre landscape lies at the headwaters of the Yakima Basin watershed. The state purchased the land in 2013 with funding provided by the Legislature and established Washington’s first state-owned community forest. The forest contains nearly 400 miles of free-flowing streams and prime habitat for fish and wildlife. It has a history of grazing and timber harvests and offers unique recreation opportunities. The law establishing the forest set up clear goals, including maintaining and where possible expanding recreation opportunities consistent with watershed protection, for activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping birding, and snowmobiling.
In December 2018, DNR, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee completed the Teanaway Community Forest Recreation Plan after more than 18 months of collaborative work with recreationists and the surrounding communities. The Teanaway is now entering into the 15-year implementation phase.
 The recreation plan was developed to support the five management goals of the forest while providing opportunities for activities including hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, scenic driving, snowmobiling, and motorcycling, as well as fishing, hunting, and nature activities. The agencies and the advisory committee established five goals for the recreation plan:
- Ensure recreational activities and facilities are consistent with watershed protection, working lands, and habitat restoration.
- Provide a sustainable network of safe, enjoyable recreational trails.
- Evaluate the suitability of continued and/or expanded motorcycle use within the forest.
- Establish consistent law enforcement and public education presence between public agencies, user groups, and citizen volunteers.
- Support existing partnerships and promote new collaboration between public agencies, user groups, and citizen volunteers.
The individual to fill this position will be heavily involved in the implementation of this plan, and will be expected to encourage people to participate in the recreation site development processes throughout the implementation phase. Collaboration with stakeholders is a key element of community forest work.
This position provides professional level recreation expertise on DNR uplands managed for current and future citizens for the state to 1) sustain long-term ecosystem and economic viability; and 2) ensure long-term access to the forest lands and the benefits derived from them. Sustaining longterm ecosystem protection and productivity is achieved through planning, enhancing and managing public use on state trust lands. This position helps Southeast region achieve the mission through strong leadership, thoughtful decision making, and excellent planning.
 Responsibilities:
- Implementing the Teanaway Community Forest Recreation Plan.
- Supervising and mentoring a Recreation Maintenance Mechanic.
- Independently planning, coordinating and leading volunteer events throughout the year.
- Recruiting, screening, training, evaluating and recognizing volunteers for their work.
- Fostering good working relations with the community and stakeholders by being transparent about our operations and consulting with the TCF Advisory Group, G5 advocacy group, adjacent landowners and external stakeholders.
- Educating the public about sustainable recreation use, and the benefits of the community forest.
- Processing reaction permits, including environmental risk assessments, HCP compliance, Recreation Plan compliance, trails policy, policy for sustainable forests, Teanaway Forest management plan, and SEPA.
- Identifying and recommending potential grant opportunities and projects for recreational sites in the Region.
- Creating high quality standardized GIS map products utilizing local mapping protocols and ArcGIS/SUMA in consultation with GIS specialists for external stakeholders.
- Collecting data for boundaries, streams, wetlands, leave trees, and road/trail locations utilizing various types of GPS.
Who are we looking for?
The right candidate has:
- At least two years’ experience working collaboratively with multiple DNR programs and other agencies.
- At least two years’ experience working collaboratively with volunteers, user groups, and the general public on natural resources related recreation.
- At least two years’ experience working with forest-based land-use law and recreation-use law and practices such as: SEPA, NEPA, Forest Practice Rules, HCP, etc.
- Working knowledge of forest management activities and State trust land responsibilities.
- Ability to write planning documents, prepare cost estimates, supervise and coordinate design work, negotiate with public officials and diverse agency staff.
- Experience in public outreach and education.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
- Working knowledge of GPS equipment and basic GIS principals.
- Ability to work alone and independently in remote locations.
- Ability to prepare written reports, memos, forms records and field notes.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements. 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.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree involving major study in outdoor recreation management or other natural resources management and two years of professional program development and management experience.
- At least two years’ experience supervising and evaluating employee or work crew performance, and planning and prioritizing work
- Ability to provide presentations to public, other agency staff.
- Know how to use power tools and other common trail maintenance equipment.
- Must be able to cover reasonable distances per day in the field covering moderate to difficult terrain.
- Must be able to ride an off road vehicle on established difficult to easy multiple use trails.
- Fluency in current word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
The Location
 One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Ellensburg.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, the incumbent is expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.
 Why work for DNR?
At DNR, we value public service, innovation and creative problem solving, safety and well-being, and leadership and teamwork. At DNR you’ll support the vision of a sustainable future by using your skills to protect and manage the state’s natural resources for both current and future generations. As a DNR employee, you’ll work with the public’s interest in mind as we manage more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. But managing lands is only half of our story. We house the Washington Geological Survey, a dynamic program that is the primary source of geological products and services in support of decision making in Washington. We also protect other public resources such as fish, wildlife, water, and provide public access to outdoor recreation. Two of our largest and most important state-wide resource protection responsibilities are fire prevention and suppression, and overseeing forest practices.
We are nearly 1,500 employees strong and dedicated to making DNR a great place to work. Our mission is to serve Washington’s lands and communities; build strong and healthy rural communities; enhance forest health and wildfire management; strengthen the health and resilience of our lands and waters; and increase public engagement and commitment to our public lands and resources. In partnership with citizens and governments, we provide innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally, economically and socially for current and future generations.
What makes DNR a great place to work?
- Commitment to organizational health and wellness
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- Work/life balance
- Leadership development opportunities
- Educational aid and career development stipends
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
- Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
- A comprehensive benefit package that 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.
Application Process
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
Required Attachments:
- A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
- Your resume – do not add it into the text of the application, it must be an attachment.
- The names of three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
Questions? Please contact Stephanie Margheim at (509) 571-0279, stephanie.margheim@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.