Assistant Region Manager – State Lands, WMS2

State of Washington; Forks (WA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

State Lands, WMS2 in Forks, WA, seeks an Assistant Region Manager to help lead the Department of Natural Resources’ state lands program. You will supervise 69 professionals, oversee 371,000 acres of trust lands, and coordinate timber sale activities to meet asset and silviculture goals.

The role emphasizes collaboration with agencies, tribes and the public, translating policy into action while ensuring land and revenue objectives are met with integrity and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management or Natural Resources Management or related field and six years of leadership in land/resources management.
• Experience applying forest management principles and multi-disciplinary approaches.
• Budget development, project management, and personnel management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee upland management on 371,000 acres of trust lands in the Olympic Region.
• Represent the Department to private operators, officials, and the public.
• Supervise a team of 69 professionals and manage timber sale activities.
• Coordinate with program leads to deliver land management, asset, and silviculture goals.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Budget development

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Forest Management or Natural Resources Management

Tools

Forest management tools

Land transactions knowledge

Job description

Assistant Region Manager – State Lands, WMS2

Recruitment #2026-10-1661

Full-time, Permanent, WMS2, Non-represented position

Location: Olympic Region- Forks, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $8,574.00 - $9,998.00 Monthly

To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $8,574.00 - $10,526.00 Monthly

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Olympic Region for a dedicated and dependable leader to join our team as the Assistant Region Manager – State Lands. This position plays a key role in assisting the Region Manager with the implementation of agency policies, procedures, and objectives.

The Assistant Region Manager – State Lands oversees all upland management activities on approximately 371,000 acres of trust lands in the Olympic Region. Responsibilities include representing the Department’s interests to private operators, businesses, governmental officials, and the public where there is involvement in complex, sensitive issues; providing input and recommending action on project proposals affecting state trust lands; supervising a team of 69 permanent professionals; managing timber sale staff to achieve an annual timber sale cut of approximately 90 million board feet; overseeing timber sale compliance on approximately 20 timber sales annually; and ensuring engineering staff keeps all existing and newly constructed roads maintained and built to Forest Practice Standards. This position is accountable for achieving all RMAP engineering, land management, asset management, silviculture, and other program deliverables/standards while closely coordinating with appropriate region program leads. Additional responsibilities include oversight of all recreation activities, rights of way, transactions, leasing activities, and Natural Areas Management within the Region.

Responsibilities

• Support DNR’s duty as a trust manager by administering the trust in accordance with the provisions that created it; maintaining undivided loyalty to each of the trusts and its beneficiaries; managing trust assets prudently; making the trust property productive, while recognizing the perpetual nature of the trusts; dealing impartially with beneficiaries; and reducing the risk of loss to the trusts.
• Implement policy direction given from the Board of Natural Resources and executive management through collaboration with the program managers in the divisions. Interpret and ensure compliance with state lands policies, procedures, rules, and regulations as set forth in WAC and RCW. Set program priorities and allocation of resources.
• Work with direct reports to accomplish state land management deliverables such as sales volume, asset management, silvicultural activities, natural areas management, and public use.
• Collaborate on standards and expectations with program managers for state lands programs within the region based on allotted resources.
• Prepare budget requests for state lands programs as needed. Allocate resources to the state lands districts and region staff. Monitor, control, adjust, and evaluate budgeted resources for program implementation.
• Communicate on highly sensitive resource issues. Work collaboratively with agencies, tribes, environmental groups, industry, local government, media, and the general public.
• Enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely evaluations and professional development opportunities.
• Mentor staff and provide a positive working environment where people are respected and valued professionally.
• Develop and foster collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external interested parties.

Required Qualifications

You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• A bachelor’s degree in Forest Management or Natural Resources Management or a related field; AND six (6) years of professional-level experience with a demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities in the areas of land and resources management and personnel management; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Experience with:
  • Applying principles of forest management
  • Broad, multi-disciplinary approaches to forest management; landscape planning, and ecosystem management
  • Managing programs that depend on applying fundamental forest engineering principles
  • Facilitation, collaboration, negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Managing programs depending on multiple information technology systems
• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Knowledge and commitment to DNR’s Core Competencies
  • Knowledge of the principles of effective personnel management
  • Knowledge and experience complying with collective bargaining agreements
  • Skills in effective written and oral communication
  • Skills in budget development and implementation
  • Skills in project planning and project management
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of leasing and rights of way
  • Knowledge of principles of managing public use and recreation
  • Knowledge of principles of land management and land transactions
  • Knowledge of fundamental logging principles

Required Competencies

• Position Specific Competencies:
  • Effective communications
  • High level of ethics and integrity
  • Effective relationship-building
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Think, plan and manage creatively, tactically and strategically
  • Understand, interpret, and implement broad department mission, goals, and policy
  • Recommend program guidelines and procedures
  • Integrate and direct the output of managers and supervisors in a collaborative manner
  • Influence the future direction, needs, and roles of the region, agency, and state
  • Relate well on an interpersonal basis
  • Negotiate solutions to complex issues
  • Use independent judgment
  • Maintain and develop connections to the local, district, and region-wide communities
• 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 ensure requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• Position’s assigned duty station is the DNR Olympic Region Headquarters Office in Forks, WA. Requires periodic trips to an outdoor field setting and walking on uneven and/or steep terrain.
• Position requires some travel. Including trips between the region office and district work centers within the region. Position requires occasional overnight travel between the region office and DNR headquarters in Olympia, or other region offices around the state.

Desired Qualifications

These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.

• Competent with computer software, including word processing and spreadsheets; project planning and oversight; familiar with multiple forestry tools and systems, including equipment and applications that enhance field productivity (GPS, GIS, and modeling systems).
• Knowledge about principles of Trust management
• Experience working under minimal supervision within the context of broad agency policies.
• Experience as a second-level supervisor over multiple work units with one or more supervisors.
• Experience using a mix of tactical and strategic thinking to address various budget, fixed asset, human resource, and customer service issues.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Bill Wells at [e-mail]/360-640-3066 or email us at [e-mail].

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call [phone] or email [e-mail]. 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

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 Values

• Integrity—Staff who work at the Department of Natural Resources are principled and consistent on behalf of all Washingtonians.
• Respect—Employees value and respect the public DNR serves, and one another.
• Professionalism—The Agency is committed to professionalism and civil conduct.
• Joy—DNR’s work involves some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities impacting Washington, which staff meet with curiosity and gratitude.

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 E-Verify; therefore, we cannot hire or extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Visas. For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. 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.