English as a Second Language (ESL) Engagement Coordinator, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)

State-of-Washington-Dept.-of-Natural-Resource; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Partial telework

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources seeks an ESL Engagement Coordinator to develop statewide bilingual outreach for forest landowners, primarily Spanish-speaking. You will build strategic roadmaps, translate materials, and establish partnerships to broaden access to programs and services.

The role, based in Olympia, is a full-time project through Sep 2028, with partial telework and relocation assistance possible. You’ll support forest resilience and environmental justice goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in forestry or related field.
• Fluency in Spanish with strong reading/writing skills.
• Experience providing technical assistance and education to landowners.
• Proficient with GIS and mapping tools (ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123, Field Maps).
• Strong teamwork, communication, and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to translate materials and conduct outreach in diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop statewide ESL engagement program connecting to Forest Action plans.
• Create translated educational materials and conduct in-person outreach.
• Provide ESL consultation and guidance to staff and partners.
• Coordinate with One Stop Shop and external partners for program delivery.
• Deliver information to public and DNR staff, documenting activities.

Skills

Fluency in Spanish

Public speaking

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Cross-cultural communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor of Science in forestry or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Survey 123

Field Maps

SharePoint

Job description

English as a Second Language (ESL) Engagement Coordinator, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3) Recruitment #2026-9-P478

Full-time, Project, Represented position (WFSE)

Anticipated Project employment is December 2026 - September 2028

Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $5,779.00 - $7,774.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/6/26. 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 Forest Resilience Division as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Engagement Coordinator to develop strategic planning roadmaps and build new long-lasting business partnerships and supportive connections with forest landowners across the State whose primary language is not English.

The goal is to provide landowners with access to all the programs, services, and assistance available to small forest landowners in Washington State. Initially, this position will focus on the development of a statewide community engagement program, which will be done through extensive outreach efforts with communities and organizations that currently work in this environment. Using engagement surveys and other tools, this position will identify underserved landowners, barriers to accessing services, and methods, strategies, and partnerships to effectively engage the community. This position will create translated educational materials and tools and establish new opportunities to educate in person at public events, providing outreach to landowners and communities in WA State. The ESL Engagement Coordinator also provides guidance, consultation, and educational expertise to the Service Forestry Program staff engaged in this work, as well as agency staff in various divisions or regions as needed. The ESL Engagement Coordinator also works directly with landowners in their primary language, typically Spanish, but others may be provided via interpreter services, providing forestry management expertise during site visits and educating them about available programs and services.

ESL Program Development, Planning, and Coordination

• Develop strategic planning roadmaps and build new long-lasting business partnerships and supportive connections with forest landowners across the State whose primary language is not English. Provide landowners with access to all of the programs, services, and assistance available to small forest landowners in Washington State.
• Develop an ESL community engagement (education) program for small forest landowners in Washington that connects to fulfilling goals of Washington’s Forest Action Plan, Forest Resilience Environmental Justice Implementation Plan, and 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern Washington through engagement of landowners speaking a language other than English.
• Characterize land ownership patterns; prioritize outreach targets; identify barriers to access and participation, including financial, cultural, or language barriers that reduce the effectiveness of traditional technical assistance delivery; develop and implement methods, strategies, and partnerships to effectively engage communities and landowners.
• Utilize data and tools, and conduct surveys to identify underserved landowners.
• Provide outreach to those speaking a language other than English, primarily Spanish.
• Serve as the Forest Resilience Division/Service Forestry designated technical expert for ESL engagement.
• Provide ESL engagement consultation, program guidance, and expertise to division and region staff. Provide consultative services for DNR or other forest landowner financial assistance or incentive programs such as Service Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), etc. Coordinate with and provide consultation to other forest health improvement projects (such as organized by Planning, Science, and Monitoring or Cross-Boundary Restoration) within assigned work area as requested.
• Create or lead transition of outreach materials in languages other than English, initially Spanish. Author, review, and aid in translating material on forest management for various purposes including newsletters and publications.
• Provide in-person outreach at public and educational events, such as community fairs, partner events, and forestry field days.
• Deliver information and stories about work to the public and DNR staff in coordination with supervisor, outreach specialists, and communications staff.
• Work with key partners including WSU Extension Forestry and the Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFÉ), and help identify additional partners engaging in similar ESL forestry work to assist in coordinating efforts.
• Coordinate with One Stop Shop, other DNR programs, and external partners and groups to identify opportunities to support all-lands landscape conservation efforts.
• Respond to informational requests for program information, accomplishment data, staff and budget needs, etc.
• Make recommendations on integration of ESL services into long-term ongoing Service Forestry Program delivery statewide based on work over the project period identifying priority geographies and need of services.

Service Forestry Technical and Financial Assistance to ESL Landowners

• Work directly with landowners in their primary language, typically Spanish, but others may be provided via interpreter services, providing forestry management expertise during site visits and educating them about available programs and services.
• Respond to and provide technical assistance and advice to landowners regarding forest management practices, diagnosis and recommendations for forest health problems, animal damage and competing vegetation control, wildfire risk reduction, and other resource issues and opportunities
• Engage appropriate subject matter experts (entomologist, pathologist, stewardship biologist, water-typing biologist, regulatory assistance forester, community resilience coordinator, etc.) when knowledge or experience is exceeded.
• Educate and assist landowners in developing Forest Stewardship or Forest Management Plans.
• Review and submit Forest Stewardship Management Plans (or other management plans) prepared by landowners, DNR staff, and partners to the appropriate Service Forestry Coordinator.
• Provide technical specifications for forest management practices and silvicultural treatment, including advice on pesticides and herbicides for forest use when appropriate.
• Help non-English speaking landowners successfully access the programs and services available through the DNR and other partners in the state, such as the DNR Service Forestry Financial Assistance program, the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program, etc.
• Provide certification inspections for the American Tree Farm Program.
• Develop educational materials for, and make educational presentations to, forest landowners and natural resources professionals who advise and contract with them.
• Enter and provide documentation for all inquiries and services provided into the One Stop Shop Online Tracking Tool.
• Use mapping tools including ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123, and Field Maps to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or closely related field;
  OR an equivalent combination of education plus experience.
  Education must meet requirements for American Tree Farm Inspector.
• Three (3) years of professional work experience in forestry, forest management, natural resources planning or management, forest ecology, silviculture, environmental science, fire science, landscape ecology, wildlife management, or a closely related field relying on the required position knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors.
• Fluency in Spanish, including the ability to speak, write, and read.
• Experience in typical silvicultural and forest management practices in the western United States, including forest road design and construction, timber management planning, silviculture techniques, reforestation methods, and timber harvest boundaries
• Experience using forestry tools such as measuring and hand tools.
• Experience providing technical assistance, education, and educational materials to professional and non-professional audiences, especially forest landowners.
• Experience responding to and interacting in a positive, responsive, cooperative, and collaborative manner while interacting with the public and other professionals (both inter-organizational and interdisciplinary).
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123, Field Maps, and other mapping tools to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.

Required Competencies:

• Consistently delivers assistance and services to landowners through respectful, culturally specific, and responsive communication capabilities in Spanish.
• Experience using effective oral and written communications to convey messages clearly and persuasively. Excellent public speaking skills.
• Intrinsically motivated to achieve program-specific desired outcomes while managing competing deadlines and priorities.
• Strong understanding and ability to organize efficiently, including developing or using systems for tracking the important aspects of numerous complex projects.
• 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:

• Education must meet requirements for American Tree Farm Inspector.
• Valid Public Pest Consultant certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• Valid Certified Tree Farm Inspector certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• The majority of work is performed alone in sometimes isolated unimproved areas and on forest or rangeland but may include office, field, and classroom settings. Ability to walk over steep, uneven terrain in a variety of forest environments, year-round, statewide in a variety of weather conditions is required.
• Frequent and extensive overnight travel in Washington is required to provide services. Travel will include conducting business with partners, attending or providing training, conducting site visits and presentations, and may be multiple days in length, with overnight stays. The ability to drive long distances in a variety of weather conditions, year-round, is required. Occasional nationwide travel for training, conferences, or other events may occur.
• 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:

• Graduate degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or closely related field.
• Experience developing outreach and communication tools to reach the public.
• Experience with Forest Stewardship Plan and forest management plan development.
• Current knowledge of Forest Practices rules; Forest Practices Board Manual guidance; and DNR Forest Practices policies, procedures, and practices.
• Experience working with small forest landowners, particularly providing technical or financial assistance.
• Experience in forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest.

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.

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 are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). 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!

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 [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Kelsey Ketcheson at [e-mail]/564-669-0056 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.