Regulatory Services Section Manager - Environmental Planner 5 - Permanent - *12538-24

Job Details

Title- Regulatory Services Section Manager
Classification-Environmental Planner 5
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Protection Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Please note: This recruitment has been reopened to expand the candidate pool. If you have previously applied for this position, you do not need to reapply. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the announcement at any time once a selection has been made.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Regulatory Services Section Manager, reporting to the Protection Division Manager, leads the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) program by providing policy guidance, technical support, and training to WDFW staff for fair and consistent regulatory implementation. This role also supports external partners—such as tribal, local, state, and federal agencies—in HPA matters and oversees the department's permit issuance software, ensuring efficient system functionality.

The position supervises staff managing HPA-related tasks, including permit processing, public records, and report generation. Additionally, the manager contributes to fish habitat rulemaking and legislative review related to HPA authority.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Regulatory Services Section Manager will:

Oversee the development and implementation of the HPA database and permitting system:

• Work effectively with the contractor, agency staff, and others to ensure the development, implementation, and modification of effective current and future online HPA permitting database systems.
• Monitor contractor progress on maintaining the database system to ensure work is performed within the scope of the contract and to required standards.
• Communicate with staff and public users to ensure that all users can successfully use the system.

Supervise Regulatory Services Section staff:

Quality Control and Training:

• Oversee the development and implementation of quality control for HPAs that ensures consistent, appropriate, and high-quality permits.
• Works with the training coordinator to help ensure that staff are trained on policy and guidance related to HPAs and other regulatory activities.

Develop and implement HPA Program improvements:

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Office environment.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., although there may be needs to work additional hours, evenings, and weekends as necessary to meet work needs, especially during the legislative session.  

Travel Requirements: Most travel will be day trips, with some overnight travel away from duty station also necessary.

Customer Interactions: This position interacts regularly with WDFW staff and staff from other agencies, with infrequent interactions with tribal members and the public

Requirements

Required Qualifications:  

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

• A Bachelor of Science degree in fish or wildlife management, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource planning, natural resource policy, program management, land use or environmental law, or public administration with an environmental emphasis.

Note: A master’s degree or above in the above fields may substitute for 2 years of the required experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• A Master’s degree in fish or wildlife management, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to design/manipulate complicated databases.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in environmental or natural resource management
• Two (2) years of involvement with the Hydraulic Project Approval authority, State Environmental Policy Act rules, and rule adoption requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.

Knowledge of:

• Hydraulic Project Approval authority and associated rules, State Environmental Policy Act rules, and rule adoption requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.  
• Principles of ecology and natural resource management, and freshwater and marine biology.

Your application should include the following:

• 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 professional references with current contact information.

Contact Information