Urban Forestry Engagement Specialist, Natural Resource Specialist 4 (NRS4)

Description

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $5,241.00 - $7,043.00 Monthly

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity in the Forest Resilience Division as the Urban Forestry Engagement Specialist. DNR’s Forest Resilience Division is seeking a motivated individual to join the Urban & Community Forestry Program, a small but impactful team of passionate professionals committed to the restoration, enhancement, and management of urban forests across Washington State. As part of this Division and Program, you will work alongside a talented group of planners, scientists, foresters, and outreach professionals providing services to state, private, and federal partners to increase the health and resiliency of Washington’s forested landscapes. 

The Urban Forestry Engagement Specialist coordinates a variety of urban forestry engagement programs and activities in support of the mission and goals of the Urban and Community Forestry Program. The Urban Forestry Engagement Specialist serves as the designated technical expert and statewide lead for urban and community forestry engagement, events, and special project development and supervises the Evergreen Communities Coordinator within the UCF Program. Specifically, the incumbent is tasked with providing consultation, program guidance, and expertise to other staff within the UCF Program and Forest Resilience Division as well as providing critical programmatic information and assistance to partners, cities and counties, tribes, and members of the public. This position leads statewide engagement with UCF through a variety of partners, programs, working groups, meetings, events, special projects, publications, digital media, and more.

Some specific projects will include publishing the program newsletter (Tree Link News) and managing content on the UCF Program website with support from DNR Communications staff; overseeing administration of recognition programs such as the Evergreen Community Recognition Program and Tree City USA; supervising staff, providing staff support to groups such as the Washington Community Forestry Council and the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative; planning for special events such as Arbor Day; regular reporting on UCF Program engagement; and, assisting with other opportunities for UCF Program promotion and marketing.

Many of the final products or impacts of the work performed are externally focused, but the planning, coordination, and preparatory work is internally focused. UCF staff with field-based positions will use products created by the Urban Forestry Engagement Specialist for direct outreach or engagement with individuals or organizations. Success in this position relies on collaboration with DNR staff and others who will contribute supporting skills and subject-matter expertise as needed to complete work products. It will be imperative to develop a broad, working understanding of all UCF Program operations, key issues affecting UCF in Washington, and the needs of communities and partner organizations statewide.

Your work in this position will help inspire and motivate others to be better stewards of urban forests in communities throughout the state. If you love working with people as much as you do working with trees, if you are committed to principles of equity and environmental justice, and if you enjoy working independently as part of a small team, this could be one of your most fulfilling jobs.

Duties

Responsibilities:
Manage and deliver urban and community forestry communications, accomplishment reporting, and storytelling through tasks such as:

• Developing and implementing a communications strategy that includes media releases, outreach materials, and website updates and enhancements.
• Management of the Tree Link Newsletter as editor, coordinating content development, overseeing editorial management, and tracking online engagement metrics.
• Identifying and sharing compelling stories or creating other products that showcase program accomplishments.
• Supporting accomplishment reporting through the documentation of completed program deliverables.
• Working to increase tribal engagement and participation in UCF program activities.

Manage and deliver UCF engagement programs and activities through tasks such as:

• Serving as a lead for the oversight and management of UCF Program contacts through use of customer relations management software (Salesforce).
• Developing, planning, organizing, and facilitating delivery of special events such as Arbor Day and Urban & Community Forest Month celebrations.
• Supporting management of community recognition programs such as the Evergreen Community Recognition Program, Tree City USA, and other allied programs.
• Promoting key moments, such as grant application deadlines, to maximize partner awareness and engagement. 

Support engagement of Washington Community Forestry Council (WCFC) and other working groups through tasks such as:

• Leading the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative, including meeting planning, facilitation, and coordination.
• Assisting Program Manager with WCFC meeting planning and coordination, including meeting scheduling, recording meeting minutes, and recruitment and onboarding of new Council members.

Provide management and supervision to professional natural resources staff to achieve program priorities and objectives; support workplan development; assign and inspect work; and promote professional development.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, urban forestry, horticulture, urban landscape planning, landscape architecture, or related field AND 3 years of professional experience in arboriculture or urban forest management.
  OR An equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Experience with any of the following: web design and publishing, marketing, public outreach, or development of written products that may include but are not limited to reports, news releases, interpretive content, articles or stories for general audiences, scripts or copy for digital or video content, etc.
• Experience with the planning, management, coordination, or facilitation of public meetings.
• Experience managing events, projects, customer relations, and external communications.
• Experience using computers and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint as well as other tools such as Salesforce and Smartsheet.
• Intrinsically 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 onsite, 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 and 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.
• A valid unrestricted 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Valid International Society of Arboricultural Arborist certification or ability to obtain.
• Experience working with or for a municipal urban forestry program, including direct experience with tree inventory and municipal work order software systems.
• Experience with general forest health issues such as insects, diseases, invasive species, drought, wildland fire, etc.
• Experience working with underserved or historically marginalized residents, neighborhoods or communities; firm understanding of social and environmental justice issues.
• Experience managing websites, web content, and newsletters using HTML and software such as WordPress and Mailchimp.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position - If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at [email protected]. A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. We value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers– you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at [email protected] 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.

Questions?  Please contact Ben Thompson at [email protected]/360-485-8651 or e-mail us at [email protected]

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email [email protected]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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. 
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 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 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.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
 
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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 it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

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 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.

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 [email protected].

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