Natural Resource Conservation Planner, Environmental Planner

Position Overview

This is one of three similar project positions with locations in Olympia, Colville, and Omak. You must apply separately to each location.

The NRCS Conservation Planner’s role within the Service Forestry Program is to establish and expand environmental planning tools by bringing NRCS technical and financial assistance into an integrated program that serves non-industrial small forest landowners in Washington. The Conservation Planner reports to DNR’s Service Forestry Planner and coordinates with the NRCS District Conservationist and other technical staff to provide landowners with conservation plans and enroll them in financial assistance programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Although the focus is on small forest landowners, this position serves as the subject matter expert for all NRCS programs, providing education and information to DNR staff as well as external partners within the assigned work area.

The Conservation Planner specializes in providing technical environmental planning assistance specific to forest management, including watershed protection, insect and disease control, forest recreation, tree planting, wildlife habitat development, and fuels reduction or mitigation.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:
Develop new, long-lasting partnerships and connections with landowners within the assigned service area who are interested 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 leverage state and federal resources best 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, such as Service Forestry, NRCS EQIP/CSP, etc. Coordinate with and provide environmental planning advice to other forest health improvement projects (such as those organized by Planning, Science, and Monitoring or Cross-Boundary Restoration) 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. This includes working one-on-one with landowners to develop land management plans identifying conservation practices and activities to help solve resource issues on their forestland, then advising on qualification for NRCS financial assistance to implement practices ( i.e., EQIP).
Work with clients, NRCS District Conservationist, and technical staff by preparing and approving conservation plans for clients. 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.

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 to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.

Preferred Level of Education

Bachelor's or higher

Benefits Offered

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.

Compensation/Salary

$67,992.00 - $91,464.00 Annually

How to Apply

View a complete position description with full application instructions at the linked web page or visit dnr.wa.gov/jobs.

Application deadline: October 2, 2025

About Washington State Department of Natural Resources

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.

Learn more about Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.