Does the opportunity to keep Washington the Evergreen State motivate and inspire you? Are you interested in shaping management of Washington’s state forestlands and protection of salmon habitat? If so, join our team!

Position summary

The Forests and Fish Project Manager will lead Washington Conservation Action’s (WCA) work on forest practices and the Adaptive Management Program (AMP). WCA represents the conservation community in the Timber Fish and Wildlife Policy Committee— which was established by the historic Forests & Fish Law and is a core component of the AMP. The AMP plays a central role in establishing, evaluating, and adjusting Washington’s state’s forest practices on the 9.3 million acres of private forestlands subject to the Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The AMP’s goals include compliance with the Endangered Species Act for aquatic and riparian species, restoring and maintaining riparian habitat to support a harvestable supply of fish, and meeting the Clean Water Act requirements for water quality.

The Project Manager plays a pivotal role by both representing the conservation community externally at a multi-stakeholder table, and by collaborating with the Conservation Caucus on approach in the AMP. With input from the Conservation Caucus, the Project Manager negotiates policy recommendations with other caucuses within the Policy Committee of the AMP: eastside tribes, westside tribes, industrial timber, small forest landowners, counties, DNR, Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Policy Committee makes recommendations to the Forest Practices Board, which is the public body responsible for adopting the rules and guidance for private timber harvest activities. The Conservation Caucus’ objective is to ensure strong, science-based forest practices protecting fish and clean water. This position offers a unique opportunity to ensure strong protection of our state’s forests and aquatic resources, and strengthen the environmental community’s participation in the AMP.

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

In January, Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental council unified under a shared brand—Washington Conservation Action. This evolution as organizations builds on our 50 years of work and history of bringing people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. We develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared a vision for a Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all.

Washington Conservation Action is based in a LEED-certified building in downtown Seattle with a view of Elliott Bay. Our team of nearly 40 works in a flexible hybrid model, with staff in the office two days a week for collaboration and celebration. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support hybrid work. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities:

Serve as Policy Lead for the Conservation Caucus in the Adaptive Management Program (90%)

• Act as the official Conservation Caucus representative to the Policy Committee and participate in Policy subgroups as necessary.
• Prepare and present Caucus input on AMP issues to the Policy Committee and the Forest Practices Board.
• Coordinate with the Conservation Caucus through facilitation of caucus meetings and information sharing and analysis.
• Support Conservation Caucus Principals in meetings and high-level engagement.
• Support the Forest Practices Board member representing the conservation community.
• Engage in regular communications with DNR, Ecology, other state agencies, representatives of tribal governments, landowners, and the timber industry.
• Prepare the Caucus’ annual AMP participation work plan and budget in collaboration with Caucus members and science representatives.
• Manage the budget and work plan execution in alignment with Caucus direction and goals.
• Manage scientific experts supporting the Conservation Caucus, on contract with WCA.
• Prepare quarterly financial and work plan performance reports, monitor expenditures, and prepare budget forecasting.
• Contribute to WCA’s annual State of our Forests and Public Lands Report.
• Support WCA’s annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference.
• Provide external updates and communications on Forests and Fish for interested stakeholders.
• Monitor and provide analysis on legislative efforts and campaigns related to forest practices.

Coordinate with staff across WCAEF and WCA to strengthen and communicate forest team work (10%)

• Coordinate with WCA’s policy and political programs to identify synergies and opportunities between programs, and offer expertise in support of campaigns.
• Work with WCA’s Communications team to communicate the Forest Program’s work in an effective and compelling way.
• Work with WCA’s Development team to support fundraising efforts.
• Commit to WCA's racial equity plan, participating on a racial equity committee and incorporating the racial equity goals into other duties and responsibilities.
• Help foster a positive and inclusive work environment and actively participate in trainings and mentorship opportunities.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental sciences, natural resources, public administration, or a related field and at least 3 -5 years related experience. Years of experience may be substituted with a relevant advanced degree.
• Commitment to environmental protection, and principles of racial, social, and economic justice.
• Demonstrated understanding of riparian ecosystems, forest management, and basic understanding of salmon life cycle and habitat needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain professional working relationships with diverse stakeholders notwithstanding policy disagreements.
• Experience with tribal communities and understanding of Tribal Treaty Rights, issues of sovereignty, and other indigenous issues.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to ensure consistent and precise transmission of perspectives and ideas verbally and in writing.
• Strong writing, verbal, and analytical skills; ability to synthesize and formulate a perspective on complex policy documents.
• Demonstrated ability to perform confidently and comfortably in high-conflict situations and dynamic environments.
• Excellent organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and good judgment.
• Experience managing programs or projects, and familiarity with budgeting and work plan development.
• Willing and able to take ownership of and accountability for completing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Flexible personality with the ability to work in a fast-paced, always changing, non-profit office.

Desirable Skills

• Technical or direct policy experience with forest regulatory issues, which may include habitat protection, water quality, roadbuilding, landslides, and forest chemical application.
• Familiarity with the legal and policy framework for the Washington Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan and its associated Adaptive Management Program.
• Ability to understand the larger historical, social, economic, and political context of forestry regulation in Washington.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $64,000-$70,000 depending on experience. We also offer a generous benefits package including 100% employer paid medical, vision and dental insurance, 401k plan and organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a flexible spending account, paid vacation and sick leave, 12 paid holidays per year, wellness days, a paid wellness benefit, an unlimited ORCA transit pass, dedicated professional development funds and if you work for seven consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical. We welcome new and diverse people to a great team who together shape environmental protection in Washington.

Location Information

This position is hybrid (minimum of 40% in the Seattle office). We will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office, as long as the candidate is willing to travel to Olympia for meetings approximately 1-2 times per month. We anticipate this job will involve occasional travel to in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position.

COVID-19

The organization follows all requirements of local health authorities. We are currently working in hybrid remote work model with staff working from home in addition to in-office time for collaboration and celebration. We maintain strict safety protocols while in our office. All staff who come to the office must be fully immunized against COVID-19.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and a resume here. No phone calls or mailed applications please. This position is open until filled, and priority review of applications will begin on March 8th. Washington Conservation Action and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.

Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is an equal opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. WCAEF does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply.