Opportunity

Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatic Resources Division as a Sea Level Rise Coordinator.  Join us and help shape how state-owned aquatic lands are used, restored, and protected as part of our unique aquatic leasing system. This work will directly support our efforts as the stewards of state-owned aquatic lands, ensuring that the processes for managing use agreements align with our environmental goals, as well as build agency capacity for sea level rise plannings.

This limited-duration (2-year) position will provide important subject matter expertise and guide the development of climate resilience plans and policies within DNR Aquatics. The main task will be to serve as the independent project manager for a grant-funded project to engage local governments, Tribes, agency partners, and other partners to conduct a case study evaluation of SLR adaptation through nature-based solutions (NBS) at aquatic leaseholder sites in three Puget Sound watersheds. The overall goal of this project will be to advance SLR planning and adaptation in DNR’s leasing program and across shoreline jurisdictions. This position will report to the Environmental Policy Lead on the Aquatics Policy team but will be expected to represent the department and coordinate closely with other DNR teams, as well as with staff from other state agencies, Tribal and local governments, non-profits, and/or interested organizations.

Responsibilities:

• Work independently to plan, direct, and coordinate the HSIL-funded project: “Incorporating Sea Level Rise Resilience into DNR’s Aquatic Leasing Program: Case Studies and Recommendations”, which entails consultation with staff from various DNR programs and external partners including local jurisdictions, Tribes, and state agencies to plan and develop land management and policy guidance related to sea level rise (SLR) planning. 
• Work with a cross-jurisdictional team to identify sites with the highest risk of SLR impacts and greatest potential for nature-based solutions. This includes synthesizing SLR exposure data, assisting with habitat vulnerability assessments, and gathering community priorities to identify appropriate sites for the case studies. 
•  Manage the project’s external Advisory Team, including representatives from Tribal governments, local jurisdictions, ports, and state agencies. Organize bimonthly virtual meetings, coordinate an annual in-person summit, prepare agendas, and record meeting summaries. 
• Lead outreach and engagement efforts with communities and external partners in case studies and broader project activities. Support the development of public-facing materials such as fact sheets and visualizations that communicate SLR impacts and nature-based solutions opportunities. 
• Co-lead the development of a research paper summarizing project findings and offering policy and procedural recommendations for interjurisdictional SLR adaptation. 
• Work to integrate SLR and nature-based solutions considerations into updated habitat stewardship measures for DNR’s aquatic land use authorizations. Review existing policies, incorporate scientific findings from the case studies, and draft new or revised guidelines that promote resilience and ecological integrity. 
• Assist with tracking grant deliverables, compiling quarterly and final reports, and reporting grant progress to project funders. 

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree with a major emphasis in land use; urban, coastal, environmental, or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; climate science, or closely related field AND Two years of professional experience in land use, environmental or natural resources planning, or program development;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience facilitating virtual and in-person workshops.
• Experience observing, analyzing, and interpreting agency policy, spatial and environmental data, and scientific research.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to independently interpret climate and land planning research and apply relevant agency policy to develop management recommendations.
• Ability to provide technical writing that is clear, concise, precise, and accurate for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to professionally conduct internal and external outreach and communication related to the programs, policies, and plans developed by the DNR core team. This includes the ability to effectively communicate both in small and large group settings and competently represent DNR’s mission and goals.
• Ability to collaborate on internal and external issues in an active, respectful, cooperative, and professional manner. Includes the ability to receive feedback from others.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.

Preferred:

• A master’s degree with a major emphasis in land use, urban, coastal, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, environmental law, and public administration with an environmental emphasis; climate science, or closely related field AND Two years of professional experience in land use, environmental or natural resources planning, or program development.
• Knowledge of online and library sources and databases of information about SLR and nature-based solutions in Washington State and the US.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of: climate impacts and resilience, adaptation planning, natural resource management, and aquatic habitat science.
• Experience working with natural resource or natural resource management/environmental protection agencies at the local, state, tribal, or federal levels.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations and policies affecting the management of aquatic lands.
• Experience with landscape-scale planning, including knowledge of grid-based GIS analysis techniques to predict outcomes or answer questions that support aquatic land management.
• Experience working with multimedia such as ESRI StoryMaps, photography, and videography to create communication tools centered on storytelling.

Apply online and submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications for the position and the position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers, to include your 2 most recent supervisors.
• Complete all supplemental questions.