Northeast Region Manager, Exempt

State of Washington; Colville (WA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Benefits package

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources seeks a Northeast Region Manager to lead a diverse team across the Northeast Region, Colville, WA. You will drive strategic priorities, resource protection, and stakeholder engagement to advance mission goals.

As a visible public leader, you will ensure safety, equity, and compliance while guiding staff through budget processes and operational challenges. This role requires strong leadership and collaborative problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Business Management, or related field with 10 years leadership and personnel management experience.
• Strong organizational leadership and change management knowledge.
• Experience leading large teams and managing budgets in a public agency context.
• Commitment to safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion in operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Commissioner of Public Lands’ chief representative within Northeast Region.
• Lead a staff of permanent, non-permanent, and seasonal employees to implement programs.
• Oversee natural resource management and protection within the Region.
• Implement proactive workplace safety programs and improve safety awareness.
• Develop and manage a $49 million biennial operating budget.

Skills

Leadership

Ethical leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Business Management, or related field

Job description

Northeast Region Manager, Exempt

Recruitment #2026-11-1703. Full-time, Exempt 4, Non-represented position. Location: Northeast Region- Colville, WA.

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered.

Salary: $10,627.00 - $12,396.00 Monthly. To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $10,627.00 - $13,048.00 Monthly.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 11/17/26. 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 Northeast Region as a Region Manager.

Would you like to be part of an organization committed to a bright future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive? Are you ready to meet the challenges of a changing climate and ever-increasing demands on our natural resources? Do you hold equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice as important values vital to mission accomplishment? Do you enjoy helping others grow and reach their full potential? Well, this may be your dream job! We are the Washington State DNR, and we are looking for the right person to lead the team of approximately 454 permanent, non-permanent, and seasonal employees who comprise DNR’s Northeast Region.

What we will trust you with:

• Lead the team that delivers DNR’s mission in Northeast Region: manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
• Safeguard the health, wellbeing, and productivity of the Region staff.
• Demonstrate safety as the Region’s highest operational priority.
• Infuse principles and practices of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice into all aspects of Region operations.
• Support, inspire, and guide the Region staff as they work to accomplish DNR’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Commissioner of Public Lands’ chief representative within the geographic boundaries of Northeast Region.
• Serve as a member of DNR’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide outstanding leadership for a Region staff of approximately 187 permanent, 45 non-permanent, and 222 seasonal employees.
• Oversee implementation of DNR’s natural resource management and protection programs within the Region.
• Implement a pro-active workplace safety program to improve employee safety awareness and reduce accidents and injuries.
• Lead and coach implementation of DNR’s equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and environmental justice initiatives by Region staff.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships and communications with elected officials, local governments, Indian Tribes, regional offices of other state and federal agencies, and stakeholder groups.
• Develop and ensure proper utilization of a $49 million biennial operating budget.

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 Natural Resources Management, Business Management, or related field AND ten (10) years of professional-level experience with a demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities related to land and resource management and personnel management; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Key Knowledge:
  • Organizational leadership principles and practices.
  • Continuous improvement and change management practices and processes.
  • Principles and practices of natural resource management.
  • Wildfire prevention and suppression practices, including the Incident Command System (ICS).
  • Familiarity with Washington’s Forest Practices Act and Rules.
  • Familiarity with Washington State’s legislative process.
  • Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as these apply to the Department of Natural Resources.
• Key Skills:
  • Experience-based ability to lead a large organization.
  • Strong commitment to ethical leadership and the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Experience-based ability to create a positive work environment, build morale, and elicit sustained superior job performance.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Experience-based ability to guide a team through deadline and workload pressures, and to resolve competing workload demands.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to solve tough problems.
  • Experience-based ability to develop and implement large budgets.
  • Strong safety awareness and orientation.

Required Competencies:

• 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.
• Position Specific Competencies:
  • Decisiveness
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • External Awareness
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Risk Management
  • Political Savvy
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Work is typically done in an office setting or meeting rooms. Occasional field trips occur, and trips to visit fires across the region are common.
• Position is required to travel to Olympia for monthly meetings, as well as trips to visit staff and sites across the region.
• 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:

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

• Knowledge of natural resource management issues in the Pacific Northwest.
• Knowledge of Washington’s Indian Tribes, tribal sovereignty, and treaty rights.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of labor unions and collective bargaining.

Application Requirements:

Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact [e-mail].

• Online Application: Apply at www.careers.wa.gov. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the position's requirements, and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.
• Resume: Your resume should include your work history, education, volunteer experience, life skills, and any other relevant information for the position.
• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
• Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).
• Email Communication: Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at [e-mail] with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive these communications.

Questions?

Please contact Todd Welker at [e-mail]/360-918-3777 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 (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 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.

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].

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