Description

Rights of Way Manager, Natural Resource Specialist 4
Recruitment #2023-1-4504
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location: South Puget Sound Region- Belfair, Enumclaw, North Bend or Olympia, WA.
Telework and location flexibility
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,892.00 - $6,575.00 Monthly
Salary for King County: $5,136.00 - $6,908.00 Monthly

Positions with permanent duty stations in King County receive an additional 5% added to their monthly base salary. The salary listed on this announcement reflects the additional 5%.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Looking for a job that rewards problem-solving and resolving puzzles? Interested in undertaking complex negotiations or resolving land issues modern and historic? The Department of Natural Resources’ South Puget Sound Region is looking for a Rights of Way Program Manager that will provide region expertise for the rights of way acquisition and granting program and support for the asset management and special use programs. This exciting role is an essential part of our region land management team, by ensuring 1) key access to lands managed by the state and needed for the timber sales program and 2) ecosystem and economic viability through the position’s role in the region’s asset management and special forest products programs.

The position will be the primary point of contact for the public, internal timber sales staff, and external partners, facilitating the conveyance of real property through easements, road use permits, and land use licenses. The position will be a great fit if you enjoy researching agreements to determine DNR’s rights and responsibilities, developing creative solutions and negotiating high-priority access with external companies, and collaborating with local staff to process large easement exchanges with major business partners.

Duties

Responsibilities:
This position serves as the South Puget Sound region expert for the Rights of Way Program which facilitates the conveyance of real property rights through Easements, Road Use Permits, and Land Use Licenses.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching and developing alternatives and providing recommendations to Region and Division Management to minimize impacts to the Trust and/or maximize asset strategies.
• Reviewing agreements to ensure they conform with department policy, laws, regulations, and other state, federal, and local laws.
• Coordinating the Region’s Road Cost Share Program including coordinating communications and periodic meetings with staff and business partners.
• Serving as expert for region/division staff, business partners, and members of the public concerning access, trespass, and trust land use issues.
• Supervising and providing technical expertise to the Natural Resource Technician that manages the Region Special Forest Products program.
• Being the point of contact with the public and providing expert guidance related to ROW granting, asset management, and other access and land use issues within the entire South Puget Sound Region.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, engineering, real property or similar/related field; and two years of professional experience in right-of-way, land transactions, forestry, real property, contracts, engineering or surveying.
  OR An Associate’s Degree in forestry or a related field; and four years of professional forestry experience.
  OR A combination of equivalent education and/or experience.
• Effective communication skills both in writing and verbally with larger groups, other experts, and members of the public. Highly developed and effective public outreach skills. Ability to successfully negotiate acceptable terms with difficult parties and ability to evaluate characteristics of complex proposals that may impact the cost, feasibility or require special provisions to accommodate.
• Highly developed planning, negotiating, budgeting, and collaborating with diverse customers/stakeholders; ability to evaluate characteristics of complex proposals and agreements that may have financial, management, and other significant ramifications.
• Proven experience in computer applications, word processing, Excel spreadsheets, and other proprietary databases to process documentation, retrieve information, and track workload.
• Ability to utilize GIS to research and map ROW related issues and edit or work with others to supervise edits.
• Needs a basic understanding of real estate law related to processing Rights of Way documentation; Real Property appraisal practices including appraising land and road values utilizing county assessor data and other information related to timber harvest and new road construction; allowable uses of land related to Land Use Licenses; and processing Land Transactions.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Conditions of Employment:

• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. 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.
• Mostly office, with occasional needs for field visits to remote, rugged, steep, rocky sites requiring access via substandard off highway roads, foot, or ATV/snowmobile.
• Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious exemption and accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status or having an approved medical or religious exemption and accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved exemption and accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.

Desired Qualifications:

• Basic understanding of DNR’s asset management and trust land management responsibilities and practices. Prior experience in managing assets across large forested landscapes with complex levels of public interest is desirable.
• Additional education specializing in business administration, communication site program, or land management enhancement is desired.

Supplemental Information

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. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.
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 those 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 benefit package that 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.

Application Requirements:

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates that move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted via email from info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

The 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 of 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.

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

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Questions? Please contact Laurie Benson at laurie.benson@dnr.wa;gov, 360-890-6231 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

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 NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.