What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning and Recreation Section (P&RS) Manager - Environmental Planner 5 - Permanent - 2026-07639 position at Washington State Health Care Authority?
Description
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
- Manage the P&R Section and provide guidance on policy and planning to other technical staff within the Department.
- Supervise, plan, assign, and review the work of P&R Section employees, adjust assignments and schedules to respond to fluctuating workloads or constraints to deliver complete projects.
- Develop and implement strategic and operational planning for the P&R Section.
- Ensure P&R Section work products conform with WDFW Strategic Plan, the agency’s Conservation Principles, the 10-year Recreation Strategy, and other relevant agency positions, commitments and guidance.
- Direct and guide production of quality WLA and WAA Management Plans.
- Provides oversight of multi-disciplinary teams to advance Departmental conservation and recreation goals and facilitate solutions for WLA and WAA specific challenges.
- Lead development of recreation management policies, procedures, and rules for WDFW-managed Lands.
- Lead and support implementation of recreation and access policies, procedures, and rules.
- Ensure clear communication of recreation and access opportunities and rules with the public.
- Facilitate cross-agency collaboration on recreation issues with other state land managers.
- Provide leadership and/or strategic planning to address emerging recreation management needs.
- Lead efforts to support responsible recreation on WDFW-managed lands and water access areas.
- Lead WDFW efforts to remain a recognized partner and leader in balancing conservation with compatible recreation in Washington State.
- Develop and maintain partnerships to facilitate recreation planning and management with Tribes, other state and federal land managers, conservation and recreation groups, boards, commissions, and the legislature.
- Participate in and share leadership of regular Lands Division Leadership Team and Lands All-Staff meetings.
- A Master's degree or higher with a major emphasis in one of the following:
- Land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning.
- Landscape architecture.
- Geography.
- Land use or environmental law.
- Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
- A closely related field.
- Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
- One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.
- A Bachelor’s degree with a major emphasis in one of the following:
- Land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning.
- Landscape architecture.
- Geography.
- Land use or environmental law.
- Public administration with an environmental emphasis.
- A closely related field.
- Seven (7) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
- One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.
- Eleven (11) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; program development; or a closely related field.
- One (1) year or more of leadership or supervisory experience, including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.
- Knowledge of planning principles, techniques, and current trends; environmental laws, policies and programs related to recreation, cultural resources, and natural resource development; government administrative structures; and challenges affecting planning and recreation programs.
- Knowledge of recreation, cultural, and natural resources planning and objectives, as well as principles of staff supervision.
- Ability to organize, coordinate, and lead programs, processes, and multidisciplinary teams; assign and monitor work; and guide others toward project goals and objectives.
- Ability to interpret information, evaluate options, and recommend decisions or courses of action to management based on project goals and multidisciplinary team input.
- Experience presenting information to groups, preparing written and verbal reports and recommendations, and analyzing and interpreting information to identify effective options and courses of action.
- Experience facilitating meetings and collaborative processes to make decisions, solve problems, develop plans, and resolve disputes.
- Experience building collaborative relationships, identify areas of common interest, and gather, research, and organize information from diverse sources.
- Experience developing and implementing strategic plans for WDFW-managed lands, including Wildlife Area plans, recreation management, outreach, and Discover Pass initiatives.
- Experience evaluating proposed actions and timelines against organizational mission and values, integrating plans across programs and disciplines, and making informed decisions regarding the relevance, feasibility, and overall value of plans.
- Experience developing instructional materials and guidance for implementing legislation, rules, policies, procedures, and program strategies.
- An unofficial or official college transcript.
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.
- Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Know someone who would like to volunteer? WDFW-Get Involved-Volunteer!
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
Salary : $7,044 - $9,478