Washington State ESD
Northeast Natural Resource Conservation Services Conservation Planner, Environme
Washington State ESD, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Overview
Northeast Natural Resource Conservation Services Conservation Planner, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3) Recruitment #2025-9-P487 Full-time, Project, Represented position (WFSE) Anticipated Project is November 2025 - August 2027 Location: Colville, WA Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered Relocation Compensation may be available and considered Salary: $5,666.00 - $7,622.00 Monthly Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/10/25. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Opportunity
This is one of three similar project positions with locations in Olympia, Colville, and Omak. You must apply separately to each location. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Resilience Division as an
NRCS Conservation Planner
in Colville. Are you someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about restoring the ecology of our forest ecosystems and helping small private forest landowners in Washington State? If you value delivering conservation on private lands, working to remove barriers to connect private forest landowners to critical financial resources, or supporting a program with diverse natural resource professionals, then this is the job for you! The DNR Forest Resilience Division is seeking a motivated individual to expand technical and financial support for non-industrial small forest landowners by working as a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Planner. The Service Forestry Program is an integral part of the DNR team through the direct delivery of technical assistance and educational services supporting proactive management of Washington’s small private forest lands. The program provides land management advice to landowners and helps to assess resource conditions and forest health, identify potential problems and opportunities, determine financial assistance eligibility, assist with treatment implementation, and recommend management practices to help achieve objectives. The program educates landowners and assists with the development and implementation of management plans to guide current and future management actions. NRCS is the United States Department of Agriculture's primary land conservation agency. Their purpose is to work voluntarily with landowners across the nation to find solutions to their conservation needs and business goals. While NRCS is a federal program, it is administered at the local level and has several Service Centers throughout Washington State. 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: 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. Work with clients, NRCS District Conservationist, and technical staff conducting Conservation Practice Inventory and Evaluations, developing implementation requirements for forest management practices, including conservation practices that address identified resource concerns, and certifying practice completion for clients. Provide information to program applicants and participants, such as specific program and eligibility requirements, guidance on completion of required program applications, and verifying Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Assist in developing, collecting, and assembling cost data, reviewing program applications and contracts, processing payment application requests after approval from NRCS staff, and reviewing open obligations. This data is used in creating environmental plans and assessing accomplishments towards 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. This may include, but is not limited to, annual contract reviews, documenting contract compliance, and communicating with program participants. Track client eligibility processing with Farm Services Agency and other eligibility requirements as 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, and prepare modification, termination, waiver, and annual practice reminder letters for signature. Based on expert analysis of collected data, make recommendations on policy, procedure, guidance, and programmatic planning improvements and changes for the Service Forestry Program in support of 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 for, and make presentations to, family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, loggers, and other audiences to provide information on the services available to them 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. In coordination with and request of regions, 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. 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 to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences. Experience with and motivated to achieve program-specific desired outcomes while managing competing deadlines and priorities. 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 field and classroom. 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 (opm.gov). 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 valid, unrestricted driver’s license and 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. 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. Application and Contact Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have questions about qualifications or how your experience relates to them, contact DNR recruiting at the email below. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone to apply. Application Requirements: Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). Letter of interest describing your specific qualifications for the position and the position required, desired, and special requirements. Resume detailing your experience and qualifications. References: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers, including 2 most recent supervisors. Do not attach documents that include photos or private information (Social Security number, year of birth, etc.). Complete all supplemental questions. Candidates who move forward may be contacted via email with interview information. Please monitor your email and junk folder. Questions?
Please contact Kelsey Ketcheson at
or via email. For accommodation or alternative format, contact the agency.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. About DNR At DNR, we approach our work with a focus on environmental stewardship and inclusion. Our vision, mission, and core values guide our work. Benefits include health insurance, retirement, paid leave, and professional development opportunities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Northeast Natural Resource Conservation Services Conservation Planner, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3) Recruitment #2025-9-P487 Full-time, Project, Represented position (WFSE) Anticipated Project is November 2025 - August 2027 Location: Colville, WA Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered Relocation Compensation may be available and considered Salary: $5,666.00 - $7,622.00 Monthly Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/10/25. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Opportunity
This is one of three similar project positions with locations in Olympia, Colville, and Omak. You must apply separately to each location. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Resilience Division as an
NRCS Conservation Planner
in Colville. Are you someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about restoring the ecology of our forest ecosystems and helping small private forest landowners in Washington State? If you value delivering conservation on private lands, working to remove barriers to connect private forest landowners to critical financial resources, or supporting a program with diverse natural resource professionals, then this is the job for you! The DNR Forest Resilience Division is seeking a motivated individual to expand technical and financial support for non-industrial small forest landowners by working as a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Planner. The Service Forestry Program is an integral part of the DNR team through the direct delivery of technical assistance and educational services supporting proactive management of Washington’s small private forest lands. The program provides land management advice to landowners and helps to assess resource conditions and forest health, identify potential problems and opportunities, determine financial assistance eligibility, assist with treatment implementation, and recommend management practices to help achieve objectives. The program educates landowners and assists with the development and implementation of management plans to guide current and future management actions. NRCS is the United States Department of Agriculture's primary land conservation agency. Their purpose is to work voluntarily with landowners across the nation to find solutions to their conservation needs and business goals. While NRCS is a federal program, it is administered at the local level and has several Service Centers throughout Washington State. 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: 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. Work with clients, NRCS District Conservationist, and technical staff conducting Conservation Practice Inventory and Evaluations, developing implementation requirements for forest management practices, including conservation practices that address identified resource concerns, and certifying practice completion for clients. Provide information to program applicants and participants, such as specific program and eligibility requirements, guidance on completion of required program applications, and verifying Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Assist in developing, collecting, and assembling cost data, reviewing program applications and contracts, processing payment application requests after approval from NRCS staff, and reviewing open obligations. This data is used in creating environmental plans and assessing accomplishments towards 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. This may include, but is not limited to, annual contract reviews, documenting contract compliance, and communicating with program participants. Track client eligibility processing with Farm Services Agency and other eligibility requirements as 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, and prepare modification, termination, waiver, and annual practice reminder letters for signature. Based on expert analysis of collected data, make recommendations on policy, procedure, guidance, and programmatic planning improvements and changes for the Service Forestry Program in support of 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 for, and make presentations to, family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, loggers, and other audiences to provide information on the services available to them 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. In coordination with and request of regions, 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. 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 to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences. Experience with and motivated to achieve program-specific desired outcomes while managing competing deadlines and priorities. 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 field and classroom. 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 (opm.gov). 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 valid, unrestricted driver’s license and 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. 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. Application and Contact Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have questions about qualifications or how your experience relates to them, contact DNR recruiting at the email below. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone to apply. Application Requirements: Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). Letter of interest describing your specific qualifications for the position and the position required, desired, and special requirements. Resume detailing your experience and qualifications. References: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers, including 2 most recent supervisors. Do not attach documents that include photos or private information (Social Security number, year of birth, etc.). Complete all supplemental questions. Candidates who move forward may be contacted via email with interview information. Please monitor your email and junk folder. Questions?
Please contact Kelsey Ketcheson at
or via email. For accommodation or alternative format, contact the agency.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. About DNR At DNR, we approach our work with a focus on environmental stewardship and inclusion. Our vision, mission, and core values guide our work. Benefits include health insurance, retirement, paid leave, and professional development opportunities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr