Planning and Recreation Section Manager - Environmental Planner 5 - Permanent - 2026-07639

SOWELA Technical Community College; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Olympia, WA seeks a Planning and Recreation Section Manager to lead planning and recreation initiatives for over 1,000,000 acres of lands and 480 water access sites. The role guides a multidisciplinary team, budgets, and policy development while coordinating with tribes and state/federal partners.

The position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to balance conservation with public access.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in land use, urban, environmental, or related fields.
• Five years of professional planning experience and one year of leadership.
• Alternative pathway: Bachelor’s with seven years of relevant experience and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Planning and Recreation Section with policy guidance.
• Direct management planning for Wildlife Areas and Water Access Areas.
• Develop recreation policies and ensure public communication of rules.
• Represent agency in partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Planning

Conflict resolution

Team supervision

Education

Master's degree or higher in land use/urban/environmental planning

Bachelor’s degree + 7+ years experience alternative

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

SmartSheet

GPS (Garmin)

Job description

Title- Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.
Closing Date- 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position plays a key role in shaping how WDFW-managed lands and recreation opportunities are planned, managed, and enjoyed. The Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager serves as the principal planning and recreation consultant to the Wildlife Program Lands Division Manager (LDM), providing leadership and expertise on complex planning and recreation issues.

In this role, you’ll coordinate the development and implementation of environmental resource plans, programs, policies, and regulations related to the management of more than 1,000,000 acres of WDFW-managed lands and more than 480 water access sites that support recreational and commercial fishing and boating opportunities.

You’ll also provide leadership on outdoor recreation and visitor use management, travel management, and efforts to address recreation-related impacts while protecting natural and cultural resources. The P&RS Manager represents the agency’s planning and recreation interests both internally and in collaboration with other agencies, partners, stakeholders, and the public.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager will,

Lead and direct the Planning and Recreation Section:

• Manage the P&R Section and provide guidance on policy and planning to other technical staff within the Department.
• Supervise, plan, assign, and review the work of P&R Section employees, adjust assignments and schedules to respond to fluctuating workloads or constraints to deliver complete projects.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational planning for the P&R Section.
• Ensure P&R Section work products conform with WDFW Strategic Plan, the agency’s Conservation Principles, the 10-year Recreation Strategy, and other relevant agency positions, commitments and guidance.

Direct Management Planning for Wildlife Areas (WLA) and Water Access Areas (WAA):

• Direct and guide production of quality WLA and WAA Management Plans.
• Provides oversight of multi-disciplinary teams to advance Departmental conservation and recreation goals and facilitate solutions for WLA and WAA specific challenges.

Manage Recreation on DFW-Managed Lands:

• Lead development of recreation management policies, procedures, and rules for WDFW-managed Lands.
• Lead and support implementation of recreation and access policies, procedures, and rules.
• Ensure clear communication of recreation and access opportunities and rules with the public.
• Facilitate cross-agency collaboration on recreation issues with other state land managers.
• Provide leadership and/or strategic planning to address emerging recreation management needs.
• Lead efforts to support responsible recreation on WDFW-managed lands and water access areas.

Represent WDFW in Key Planning and Recreation Partnerships:

• Lead WDFW efforts to remain a recognized partner and leader in balancing conservation with compatible recreation in Washington State.
• Develop and maintain partnerships to facilitate recreation planning and management with Tribes, other state and federal land managers, conservation and recreation groups, boards, commissions, and the legislature.

Participate in Lands Division Leadership Team:

• Participate in and share leadership of regular Lands Division Leadership Team and Lands All-Staff meetings.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Office environment (95%) with occasional tours or site visits to WAA or WLA locations throughout the state (5%). Hazards may involve exposure to inclement weather, uneven or unstable terrain, slippery surfaces, vegetation, insects, wildlife, and other natural hazards. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with infrequent evening or weekend meetings, tours, or site visits.

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, or for site visits, infrequent overnight travel may be authorized.

Tools and Equipment: Standard office equipment and software such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, SmartSheet, Garmin GPS, and mobile phone applications.

Customer Interactions: Interact primarily with other professionals within and outside of the Department. This role requires participation in public forums including briefings for the Fish and Wildlife Commission and various Committees, Citizen Advisory Committees, Tribal Roundtable discussions, and various conferences and meetings in which public comments and interaction are solicited.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Master's degree or higher with a major emphasis in one of the following:
  • Land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning.
  • Landscape architecture.
  • Geography.
  • Land use or environmental law.
  • Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
  • A closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.

Option 2 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major emphasis in one of the following:
  • Land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning.
  • Landscape architecture.
  • Geography.
  • Land use or environmental law.
  • Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
  • A closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.

Option 3 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• Eleven (11) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; program development; or a closely related field.
• One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of planning principles, techniques, and current trends; environmental laws, policies and programs related to recreation, cultural resources, and natural resource development; government administrative structures; and challenges affecting planning and recreation programs.
• Knowledge of recreation, cultural, and natural resources planning and objectives, as well as principles of staff supervision.

Leadership:

• Ability to organize, coordinate, and lead programs, processes, and multidisciplinary teams; assign and monitor work; and guide others toward project goals and objectives.
• Ability to interpret information, evaluate options, and recommend decisions or courses of action to management based on project goals and multidisciplinary team input.

Communication Skills:

• Experience presenting information to groups, preparing written and verbal reports and recommendations, and analyzing and interpreting information to identify effective options and courses of action.

Facilitation and Organizational Skills:

• Experience facilitating meetings and collaborative processes to make decisions, solve problems, develop plans, and resolve disputes.
• Experience building collaborative relationships, identify areas of common interest, and gather, research, and organize information from diverse sources.

Planning Skills:

• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans for WDFW-managed lands, including Wildlife Area plans, recreation management, outreach, and Discover Pass initiatives.
• Experience evaluating proposed actions and timelines against organizational mission and values, integrating plans across programs and disciplines, and making informed decisions regarding the relevance, feasibility, and overall value of plans.
• Experience developing instructional materials and guidance for implementing legislation, rules, policies, procedures, and program strategies.

Your application should include the following:

• An unofficial or official college transcript.
• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the "Benefits" tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [e-mail].
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fair and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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 of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone [phone] or email [e-mail], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-07639.

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