Natural Resources Program Manager (WMS Band 3) Lacey, WA

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking a Natural Resources Program Manager in Lacey, WA. This permanent leadership role will champion statewide natural resources stewardship initiatives, guiding staff and collaborating with tribes, agencies, and stakeholders to protect and interpret diverse habitats across Washington's park system.

The role requires advanced degrees in natural resources and at least five years of progressive experience, with strong GIS skills and the ability

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in natural resources ecology, management, and conservation biology.
• Five years of progressive experience in resource protection and management across terrestrial and aquatic environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for presenting to executive leadership and the public.
• Knowledge of GIS and spatial data systems.
• Ability to lead staff and manage contracts and grants.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide natural resources stewardship initiatives and build partnerships across agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage professional staff and contractors, ensuring compliance with HR policies and agency procedures.
• Translate complex technical material into management prescriptions and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Develop and update policy, budgets, and grants advancing natural resources stewardship.
• Advance statewide Natural Heritage Initiatives and related performance measures.

Skills

GIS knowledge

Strong communication

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's or PhD in natural resources

Tools

GIS/spatial data systems

Job description

Description

Job Title: Natural Resources Program Manager
Location: Lacey, WA
Closes: October 4th, 2026, at 11:55p.m. PDT

Position Status: This is a permanent position.

___________________________

Are you a visionary conservation leader capable of balancing ecological preservation with public recreation?

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Natural Resources Program Manager to champion statewide natural resources stewardship initiatives across our magnificent 138,000-acre park system. The Natural Resources Program Manager is a leadership position responsible for leading, managing, guiding, and promoting statewide natural resources stewardship initiatives for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. They educate and inspire park visitors, agency staff, and the general public to ensure the highest level of natural resources stewardship occurs in Washington's state parks.

In this high-profile leadership role, you will bring strategic vision and deep technical expertise to protect, enhance, and interpret the diverse native habitats found within our 200+ state parks. From the rugged coastlines to arid shrub-steppe ecosystems, you will have a profound, lasting impact on the natural heritage of Washington State for generations to come.

We are looking for a collaborative executive and an expert scientist who thrives in complex, matrixed environments. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background integrating multiple environmental fields, including ecology, forestry, conservation biology, recreation resource impacts, and advanced GIS/spatial data systems. With the ability to translate complex, highly technical environmental data into compelling management prescriptions and high-stakes presentations for executive leadership, the public, and the Commission.

Washington State Parks offers a collaborative culture focused on public service, environmental preservation, and outdoor equity. We offer a competitive salary, an outstanding state benefits package (medical, dental, and retirement plans), a generous leave policy, and the unique opportunity to spend your career protecting the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Dosewallips State Park

Please Note: This position is eligible for flexible schedule or hybrid telework subject to supervisory approval. The default assigned work location of all Parks positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions is within the State of Washington.

Duties

This position reports to the Stewardship Program Manager and initiates actions that protect the health and integrity of the agency's natural resources in a cost-efficient manner. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Promotes the highest quality stewardship of the agency's natural resources by bringing new ideas and technologies to the agency; builds partnerships in the agency and with local, state, Federal, and regional agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to enhance agency capacity and professionalism; assesses agency natural resources stewardship capabilities and performance; and seeks to elevate the agency's core commitment to exceptional stewardship through training programs, expert professional service, strategic planning and policy guidance.
• Manages a professional staff engaged in natural resources management and a wide range of governmental and non-governmental contractors working on local to statewide conservation efforts. Ensures current work plans, employee evaluations, and program specific contracts/agreements are in compliance with all human resources and agency policies/procedures, rules, laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Provides expert technical assistance/leadership and training to staff related to natural resources stewardship. Reviews and synthesizes complex/technical material into management prescriptions and presentations before the public, executive staff and the Commission.
• In consultation with the Stewardship Director, develops and updates the Commission's Comprehensive Natural Resources Policy and associated procedures and management guidelines; initiates new and revised RCW and WAC language to advance agency natural resources stewardship goals; and develops and oversees major new natural resources stewardship initiatives in the agency. Reviews natural resources-related stewardship legislation for impacts to the agency.
• Develops cost-effective budgetary strategies to rehabilitate, restore, protect, and monitor the long‑term health of the natural resources across the entire park system. In conjunction with the Stewardship Director, this position develops and administers the natural resources stewardship‑related operational budgets and grants. Reviews capital budget scoping and prioritization. Leads staff to develop and administer natural resources stewardship‑related contracts and grants.
• Develops and implements plans to advance the agency's strategic plan (especially statewide Natural Heritage Initiatives) and core values, Commission and Director priorities, and emerging natural resources issues (risk management, resource protection). Develops annual agency natural resources stewardship work plan identifying performance objectives and measures.
• In consultation with the Stewardship Director, composes, revises, and presents agenda and work session items to the Commission.
• Establishes and promotes effective working relationships with all agency staff, leaders of stakeholder groups and organizations, local/state/federal agency staff, and park visitors. Works in a cooperative and supportive fashion with senior agency managers to coordinate and advance key management and policy issues in the state park system.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's or PhD degree with major studies in natural resources ecology, natural resources management, and conservation biology or a closely related field. The advanced studies are essential in a small agency, managing a large land base, to ensure best available science is applied to natural resources planning and management, decision‑making by executive staff and the Commission, and agency interactions with governmental and non‑governmental institutions, tribes, and the public.

• Five (5) years of progressive experience in the area of resource protection and management, that involved working:
  • in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments,
  • on biological and social issues influencing resource protection and restoration,
  • with stakeholder and partner groups,
  • as a supervisor and mentor to professional and non‑professional resource managers,
  • in both a strategic and tactical capacity to identify and advance agency resource management goals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to make oral presentations to large groups and the ability to present complex technical information to non‑technical audiences.
• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS).
• Ability to serve as the agency's senior scientist and lead on natural resources issues.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Leadership: Spearhead tactical and strategic actions associated with the agency's Natural Heritage Initiative. Champion innovative ideas and technologies to elevate stewardship capabilities agency‑wide.
• Personnel Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a highly dedicated team of professional staff, including natural resource stewards, foresters, a professional arbor crew, and diverse specialized on‑call staff and contractors.
• Policy & Governance: Develop, update, and implement the Commission’s Comprehensive Natural Resources Policy. Draft and refine statutory language(RCW and WAC) to advance state conservation goals, and step in with full delegated authority in the absence of the Stewardship Director.
• Risk & Climate Resilience: Protect state parks and surrounding communities by developing proactive strategies to mitigate environmental threats, including wildfire risks and hazardous tree conditions within developed landscapes.
• Fiscal Stewardship: Architect cost‑effective budgetary strategies. Oversee operational and capital budgets, while aggressively securing and managing grants and inter‑agency contracts to fund priority habitat protection.
• Partnership & Collaboration: Cultivate deep, collaborative relationships with Tribes, local, state, and federal agencies, non‑governmental organizations, and executive stakeholders to align and advance state park priorities.
• Commitment to Learning and Growth: Experience considering and incorporating new information and different perspective; and practicing self‑awareness by reflecting on personal strengths, growth areas, and biases.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others: Experience adapting communication and approaches to different communities and individuals, welcoming and valuing different identities and perspectives, and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of co‑workers and customers.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience mentoring and training professional and non‑professional staff, consulting with Tribes on complex, natural issues, and managing staff and program‑level activities (e.g. budget).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office and in parks across the state. Field work requires hiking off‑trail and over water, in inclement weather, day and night, and during all seasons of the year. This work requires a working knowledge of scientific methodologies and the tools/equipment to carry out natural resources management prescriptions.

Schedule: Typically five 8 hr. days; however, it is essential to have flexibility to address time‑sensitive and emerging issues. This position is eligible for an alternate work schedule or hybrid option at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval. Daily contact with internal and external customers, including some contact with those that may be angry, distraught, and/or frustrated.

Travel Requirements: Frequent travel with occasional overnight stays may be required to perform the duties of this position, statewide, and during varying hours, days, and seasons. When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately‑owned vehicle; or provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Supplemental Information

WHO WE ARE:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse and most beautiful park systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 125 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long‑distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (during peak season - summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere – from law enforcement park rangers, park managers, and field staff who take care of our parks (construction, maintenance, customer service, to planners, engineers, managers, administrative professionals and central support staff. We love caring for Washington's most treasured lands, waters, and historic places; connecting all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage; and providing memorable recreational and educational experiences. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Diversity Policy Statement

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency. At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce. We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For information about this recruitment or Parks' hiring process, please contact Wendy Vandel at [e-mail] or [phone].

For information about this position, please contact the Stewardship Manager, Andrea Thorpe at [e-mail] or 360-902-8641.

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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