Northwest Region Manager
Recruitment #2026-2-1706
Full-time, Exempt 4, Non-represented position
Location: Northwest Region- Sedro Woolley, WA

Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

Salary: $10,418.00 - $12,152.00 Monthly
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $10,418.00 - $12,792.00

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 3/4/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Northwest Region as a Region Manager. Would you like to be part of an organization committed to a bright future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive? Are you ready to meet the challenges of a changing climate and ever-increasing demands on our natural resources? Do you hold equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice as important values that are vital to mission accomplishment? Do you enjoy helping others grow and reach their full potential? Well, this may be your dream job! We are the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), looking for the right person to lead the 189 permanent, non-permanent, and seasonal employees who comprise DNR’s Northwest Region.

What we will trust you with:

• Lead the team that delivers DNR’s mission in the Northwest Region: manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

• Safeguard the health, well-being, and productivity of the Region staff.

• Demonstrate safety as the Region’s highest operational priority.

• Infuse principles and practices of equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice into all aspects of Region operations.

• Support, inspire, and guide the Region staff as they work to accomplish DNR’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities:

• Operate as the chief representative of the Commissioner within the geographic boundaries of the region.

• Ensure that the Commissioner and DNR’s executive management team are promptly informed of emergent issues or events with the potential to impact the agency or the region.

• Providing oversight for the management of approximately 431,000 acres of state forest, agriculture, urban, and conservation lands.

• Provide outstanding leadership for the region staff of 140 permanent and 49 seasonal employees

• Implement a proactive safety program to improve employee safety awareness and reduce accidents and injuries.

• Position is delegated the authority as an Appointing Authority, which makes this position responsible for making hiring decisions, terminations, and pay impacting discipline.

• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships and communications with local governments, tribes, regional offices of other state agencies, landowners, and other partner groups.

• Sustainably manage state trust lands to generate income for public schools, universities, counties, and other trust beneficiaries, while accommodating compatible public uses.

• Implement three major resource protection programs – wildfire prevention/suppression, forest resilience, and forest practices – on private and state forest lands within the region on approximately 1.5 million acres of state and private forest lands.

• Develop and ensure proper utilization of a $32 million biennial budget.

• The region has aquatic lands, managed by aquatics division staff located in Northwest Region facilities and supported by Northwest Region staff.

• Ensure that public resources are protected.

• Be prepared for emergencies, including fire suppression.

• Seek efficiencies and cost savings in all aspects of region operations.

Required Qualifications:
Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Business Management, or related field AND ten years of professional-level experience with a demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities related to land and resource management and personnel management;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Key Knowledge:

• Knowledge of organizational leadership principles and practices.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement and change management practices and processes.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of natural resource management.

• Knowledge of wildfire prevention and suppression practices, including the Incident Command System (ICS).

• Familiarity with Washington’s Forest Practices Act and Rules.

• Familiarity with Washington State’s legislative process.

• Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as these apply to the Department of Natural Resources.

Key Skills:

• Experience-based ability to lead a large organization.

• Strong commitment to ethical leadership and the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Experience-based ability to create a positive work environment, build morale, and elicit sustained superior job performance.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Experience-based ability to guide a team through deadline and workload pressures, and to resolve competing workload demands.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to solve tough problems.

• Experienced-based ability to develop and implement large budgets

• Strong safety awareness and orientation.

Competencies:

• Senior Leadership Competencies:

  • Decisiveness

  • Influencing/Negotiating

  • External Awareness

  • Strategic Thinking

  • Risk Management

  • Political Savvy

• DNR Core Competencies:

  • Personal Accountability

  • Value Others

  • Compassionate Communication

  • Inspire Others

  • Commitment to Excellence

• 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.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Work is typically done in an office setting or meeting rooms. Occasional field trips occur, and trips to visit fires across the region are common.

• Position is required to travel to Olympia for monthly meetings.

• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). 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:

• Knowledge of natural resource management issues in the Pacific Northwest.

• Knowledge of Washington’s Indian Tribes, tribal sovereignty, and treaty rights.

• Familiarity with principles and practices of labor unions and collective bargaining.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. We are invested in acquiring the best and most innovative candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. It is important you consider and clearly communicate within your application materials how your education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience transfer to this position and the qualifications. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please contact us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Don’t hesitate to apply!
Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

• 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: that details your experience and qualifications.

• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least 3 professional references with current telephone numbers, including your current or most recent supervisor.

• 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 info@governmentjobs.com 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 Todd Welker at todd.welker@dnr.wa.gov/360-918-3777 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. 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 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 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 before 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 with disabilities, 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 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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