Region-Operations Outreach Support Analyst, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)

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

Job summary

The State of Washington's Department of Natural Resources seeks a Region-Operations Outreach Support Analyst, EP3, to lead cross‑regional projects and support the Forest Practices Program statewide. You will coordinate teams, interpret regulations, and guide data-driven decisions in Olympia, with some telework flexibility.

The role emphasizes training, collaboration with six regions, and proactive problem solving to improve field and office operations under state forest practices rules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, public administration with environmental emphasis, environmental law, or closely related field; plus three years of applied professional forestry/natural resource management experience.
• Strong ability to interpret and apply federal/state laws, rules, and regulations in real-world settings.
• Ability to analyze data queries, report progress, and support training and program goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in Region-Operations Outreach Team projects to ensure statewide interpretation and enforcement of Forest Practices Act, Rules, and manuals.
• Manage and support regulatory enforcement proceedings and appeals as needed.
• Analyze legislative proposals for potential program impacts and communicate findings to managers.
• Coordinate with six DNR regions to identify and implement efficient operational tools.
• Provide data quality assurances and report program progress and accomplishments.
• Support Training Manager in developing and delivering program-specific training.

Skills

Creative problem solver

Regulatory interpretation

Data analysis

Project management

Verbal & written comms

Education

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or environmental field

Job description

Region-Operations Outreach Support Analyst, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)

Recruitment #2026-10-1656

Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)

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 10/30/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Practices Division as a Region-Operations Outreach Support Analyst.

The Forest Practices Program administers the forest practices rules that protect public safety, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat on the 12 million acres of Washington's state-owned and private forestlands and assists Washington's family forest owners through its Small Forest Landowner Office, which provides technical and financial assistance to help small forest landowners manage their unique lands to meet their individual goals.

Are you interested in a career that educates others to protect public safety while safeguarding natural resources such as timber, fish, wildlife, and clean water? Do the puzzles of data anomalies spark a desire in you to dig deeper and mine for the "why"? Are you ready to apply your burgeoning leadership and project management skills to lead and coordinate teams and projects? If yes, we want you to join our cross‑functional DNR Forest Practices team as a Support Analyst. We are seeking a highly motivated, creative, and detail‑oriented individual who will:

• Lead and participate in Region-Operations Outreach Team projects that achieve consistent statewide interpretation and enforcement of the Forest Practices Act, Rules, and board manuals.
• Lead and participate in legal processes that support the resolution of appeals of regulatory enforcement actions.
• Analyze legislative proposals to identify potential program benefits and impacts.
• Use project management and team‑building skills to guide innovative and effective approaches to delivering operational business and field practices that achieve program goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with region staff to interpret regulatory and enforcement requirements.
• Provide data quality assurances and report program progress and accomplishments.
• Use data query results to identify patterns, draw logical conclusions, identify key relationships and make projections about regulatory trends.
• Collaborate with the six local DNR regions to understand their business and field processes and help them identify and employ efficient and effective operational and technological tools that facilitate their daily work.
• Assist the Training Manager in the development and delivery of program‑specific training.

This position provides a critical communications link between the six DNR regions and the forest practices division and associate‑level support to the Region-Operations Outreach Team Manager and Training Manager. The position also promotes cohesive statewide implementation of the Forest Practices Act, rules, and board manuals by helping staff, stakeholders, and landowners understand operational forest practices permitting activities and their regulatory requirements.

This position serves as a project management consultant, forest practices data subject matter expert, assists with training and guidance development, and researches and recommends processes and procedures to meet operational field and office business needs in support of the forest practices program statewide. Additionally, this position also serves with an emphasis on interactions between forest practices permitting processes and regulatory enforcement activities associated with state and federally listed threatened and endangered flora and fauna species and those associated with archaeological, historical, tribal, and cultural resources.

Responsibilities

The Support Analyst position is responsible for providing support services to achieve the Forest Practices Program’s operational, business, and training needs, including:

• Working independently and with teams to research, identify, and recommend strategies to resolve regulatory and implementation challenges that arise in office business and field operations in a manner that achieves fair and consistent implementation of the Forest Practices Act and Rules statewide.
• Collaborating with the six DNR regions and the Attorney General’s Office to monitor and track timelines and work products associated with legal requirements arising from regulatory enforcement actions.
• Creating data queries and applying understanding of the query results to track and report program‑specific data elements while ensuring data quality standards are met.
• Performing statistical analyses of key regulatory and operational data to identify and address trends and patterns and to make logical inferences and projections.
• Analyzing proposed legislation to determine and report potential program impacts to managers and executives.
• Supporting the Forest Practices Training Program through curriculum development and review and as members of instruction cadres.
• Traveling statewide to attend in‑person training events and meetings– may include overnight travel.
• Traversing varying types of difficult and hazardous terrain by foot in variable weather conditions at remote locations under physically demanding circumstances.
• Driving vehicles in a variety of road and weather conditions.

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 forestry, public administration with an environmental emphasis, environmental law, or a closely related field; AND three (3) years of applied professional experience in forestry or natural resource management with various advocacy/interest groups; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skill, and competencies.

Required Competencies

• Creative problem solver with a demonstrated competency in thinking strategically and acting assertively while maintaining productive professional relationships. Skilled with researching, analyzing, and thinking critically, including creativity and innovation where appropriate.
• Competent in interpreting, implementing, and complying federal, state, or local statutes, laws, rules, and regulations for site‑specific natural resource management situations.
• Competent in coordinating regulatory enforcement and due process procedures, including identifying violations and managing documentation requirements.
• Skill in managing and interpreting data, including data collection and analysis, identifying key data relationships, drawing logical conclusions from data query results, trend interpretation, and communicating results.
• Skill and expertise in organizing and managing multiple projects and programs having variable timelines, deadlines, outcomes, and quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including articulating information to a variety of audiences within specified time periods and communicating technical information clearly and concisely in an understandable format.
• 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

• Indoor Settings: Office work is primarily conducted in an open workstation (cubicle) in the Forest Practices Division's work area at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, Washington. Must occasionally relocate supplies up to 30 lbs. Occasional office work will be completed at other DNR Region Office or work center locations. In‑person meetings, trainings, and seminars may be in conference rooms located at DNR offices, hotels, conference centers, or similar venues. Outdoor Settings: Intermittent work will be completed in a variety of field locations and settings with concurrent variability of weather conditions (mild to moderately severe temperatures), natural hazards (insects, wildlife, poisonous plants), and in a wide variety of terrain conditions ranging from flat to very steep and open to considerable brush, slash, or rock cover. Occasional field visits may include proximity to active forest practices operational activities, including logging operations with heavy equipment.
• Intermittent to occasional travel is required to accomplish work and training assignments.
• 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.

• Five (5) years of applied professional experience in forestry or natural resource management with various internal and external governmental and associated interest groups.
• An advanced degree or certification in project management.
• Three (3) years working with the 2001 or newer Forest Practices Rules.
• Three (3) years of experience implementing regulatory direction across a variety of ecosystems and landscapes.
• Five (5) years of experience as a forest practices forester or forest practices coordinator implementing and enforcing the Washington State Forest Practices Act and Rules.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in creating and editing fillable forms and documents using Microsoft Word™ and Adobe Acrobat Pro™ software.

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 Kelly Childers at [e-mail]/360-827-5066 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 Core Values

• Safety and Well-Being - Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service - We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving - We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork - We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

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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