North Central NR Conservation Services Conservation Planner, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)

Job Summary North Central Natural Resource Conservation Services Conservation Planner, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3) Recruitment #: 2026-4-P486 Employment type: Full‑time, Project, Represented position (WFSE) Project duration: June 2026 – August 2027 Location: Omak, WA Work hours and partial telework flexibility may be available Relocation compensation may be available Salary: $5,666.00 – $7,622.00 Monthly Review of applications is ongoing The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within its Forest Resilience Division as an NRCS Conservation Planner in Omak. This role focuses on restoring the ecology of Washington’s forest ecosystems and supporting small private forest landowners in accessing conservation resources. The Service Forestry Program delivers technical assistance and educational services to promote proactive management of small private forest lands, including assessing resource conditions, identifying opportunities, and guiding the implementation of conservation practices. Responsibilities Develop new long‑lasting partnerships and connections with landowners within the assigned service area with an interest in NRCS technical and financial assistance programs. Provide consultation, program guidance, and expertise to division and region staff on federal NRCS programs available to Washington’s non‑industrial forest landowners, including recommendations on strategies to best leverage state and federal resources to support technical and financial assistance specific to environmental practices necessary to achieve forest health and resilience goals. Provide environmental planning consultative services for DNR or other forest landowner financial assistance or incentive programs (e.g., Service Forestry, NRCS EQIP/CSP). Coordinate with and provide environmental planning advice to other forest health improvement projects within the assigned work area as requested. In cooperation with Forest Resilience Environmental Planners, identify and engage priority landscapes and forest health and resilience priorities in service areas as defined by DNR and NRCS while fulfilling strategic plan priorities of both agencies. Identify and engage landowners interested in participating in NRCS programs but historically hesitant due to program barriers. Work one‑on‑one with landowners to develop land management plans that identify conservation practices and activities to solve resource issues on their forestland, and advise on qualification for NRCS financial assistance (e.g., EQIP). Prepare and approve conservation plans for clients in collaboration with NRCS District Conservationist and technical staff. Review and submit Forest Stewardship Management Plans (or other management plans) prepared by landowners, DNR staff, and partners to the Service Forestry Planner. Provide environmental planning services such as technical specifications for forest management practices and silvicultural treatment, including advice on pesticides and herbicides for forest use when appropriate. Conduct Conservation Practice Inventory and Evaluations, develop implementation requirements for forest management practices, including conservation practices that address identified resource concerns, and certify practice completion for clients. Provide information to program applicants and participants (specific program and eligibility requirements, guide completion of required program applications, and verify Adjusted Gross Income). Assist in developing, collecting, and assembling cost data; review program applications and contracts; process payment application requests after approval from NRCS staff; and review open obligations. This data is used in creating environmental plans and assessing accomplishments toward the objectives in those plans. Compile and review the accuracy of environmental contract administration supporting documents from the program application process through to final payments and contract completion. Assist in managing NRCS program contracts, including annual contract reviews, documenting contract compliance, and communicating with program participants. Track client eligibility processing with Farm Services Agency and other eligibility requirements defined by the program manual. Perform data entry to process client contract documents and actions for approved contracts. Monitor and track commencement and expiration of contracts, contracts behind schedule, and contracts that have not completed a practice in the first year; prepare modification, termination, waiver, and annual practice reminder letters for signature. Make recommendations on policy, procedure, guidance, and programmatic planning improvements based on expert analysis of collected data to support potential long‑term integration of NRCS technical and financial assistance delivery to non‑industrial small forest landowners within the state program. Coordinate with other DNR programs and external public and private service providers to develop environmental planning outreach materials and make presentations to family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, loggers, and other audiences to provide information on the services available from NRCS. Author informational articles for outreach to prospective clients on program‑related topics, such as environmental planning, for Forest Stewardship Notes and Landowner News, and other publications. Teach forestry‑related topics for WSU Extension and other education programs, including Forest Owners Field Days, Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Courses, Family Forest Advisors Workshops, Contract Logger’s Trainings, conservation districts, colleges, and others across the assigned work area. Provide certification inspections for the American Tree Farm Program. Develop reports as needed and requested based on data from various systems. Enter and provide documentation for inquiries and services provided into NRCS systems and processes. Participate in training, professional development, and continuing education to maintain credentials such as SAF Certified Forester, Certified Tree Farm Inspector, Public Pest Control Consultant, or others. Collaborate with staff to maintain and update knowledge related to technology, data collection, and other job duties. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in natural resource planning, environmental planning, forestry, forestry education, biology, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or closely related field AND a minimum of three years of professional, operational, field experience in forest management in the Pacific Northwest; OR an equivalent combination of education plus experience. Experience in typical silvicultural and forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest, 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 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. Experience with and motivated to achieve program‑specific desired outcomes while managing competing deadlines and priorities. Required Competencies: Uses interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to develop relationships rooted in acceptance, cooperation, and mutual regard with the public, external partners, and other governmental agencies. Accustomed to identifying or creating need‑specific organizational systems and implementing them to track program‑specific components and competing deadlines. 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 requests are followed. DNR Core Competencies: Personal Accountability Value Others Compassionate Communication Inspire Others Commitment to Excellence Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment: Work is performed indoors in office environments but includes regular work in on‑site, outdoor settings such as fields and classrooms. Ability to walk over steep, uneven terrain in a variety of forest environments, year‑round, statewide, in a variety of weather conditions is required. Travel is required within the assigned work area but may include site visits statewide, may be multiple days in length, and will require overnight stays estimated at three to five nights per month, but may be more depending on workload and scheduling. Additional travel may be required nationally for meetings, conferences, and other activities. The ability to drive long distances in a variety of weather conditions, year‑round, is required. Must meet the federal OPM qualification standards for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401. Education must meet the requirements for the American Tree Farm Inspector. Valid Public Pest Control 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. Employee shall be an NRCS certified conservation planner or capable of acquiring conservation planner certification: employee shall achieve Level I Planner Certification within 6 months of employment and complete Level III Planner Certification within 18 months of achieving Level I Planner Certification. 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. 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 natural resources planning, environmental planning, forestry, natural resources, environmental science, fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or a closely related field. Experience with Natural Resource Conservation Service programs for landowners, including EQIP and CSP. Experience providing technical assistance, education, and educational materials to non‑professional audiences, especially forest landowners. Experience with Forest Stewardship Plan and Forest Management Plan development. Previous experience working with small forest landowners. Current knowledge of Forest Practices rules, Forest Practices Board Manual guidance, and DNR Forest Practices policies, procedures, and practices. Benefits 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 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 including employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. 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, gender identity diversity, people 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Washington