Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)

State of Washington • $69K — $93K *
Olympia, WA 98501In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in related field and three years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Knowledge of current trends in outdoor recreation management and laws.
  • Familiarity with volunteer management best practices and project management principles.
  • Competency in technologies such as Word, Excel, and cloud-based tools.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the Recreational Sign Program, balancing management objectives with legal and safety considerations.
  • Track all sign and map orders from inception to delivery.
  • Coordinate between regions, vendors, and agency experts for sign program execution.
  • Develop and manage policy documents for the Recreational Sign Program, incorporating staff input.
  • Coordinate the Recreation Volunteer Program and track agency volunteers.
  • Oversee records and submission of recreation program volunteer data to meet reporting requirements.
  • Manage partner agreements and cooperative contracts with recreation partners.

Benefits

  • Flexible/Hybrid work environment accommodating partial telework.
  • Potential for professional development opportunities in outdoor recreation and natural resource fields.
  • Engagement in meaningful work supporting community and environmental integrity.
  • Participation in agency-wide initiatives focused on volunteerism and outdoor recreation management.
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and environmental justice within the workplace.
Full Job Description
Salary : $69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator, Environmental Planner 3 (EP3)Recruitment #2026-9-A307
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)
Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and consideredSalary: $5,779.00 - $7,774.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/24/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

This position provides centralized, statewide planning, project management, and coordination for the volunteer and recreational signage programs, two critical, public-facing DNR programs. It also manages Recreation's statewide cooperative agreements and contracts with partner organizations. The volunteer program supplements limited staff resources to engage volunteers in trail and facility maintenance, trash cleanup, ambassadorship, and more. This position has duties related to both agency-wide and Recreation-specific volunteers. The recreational signage program plans, develops, and prints signs to ensure public safety, reduce agency risk, communicate rules and laws, and to educate users about DNR lands and management responsibilities where public use is promoted and facilitated.
Duties

Responsibilities:
Manage Recreational Sign Program
  • Determining appropriate signage that balances region management objectives with other considerations and requirements (legal risk, public safety, user experience, consistency, adherence to standards, policies, rules, statutes, etc.)
  • Managing and tracking all sign and map orders from intake through delivery.
  • Serving as central point of contact and coordinator between client (regions), vendors, and agency subject matter experts involved with recreation sign and map creation and orders.
Plan, develop, and manage policy documents and resource materials for the Recreational Sign Program.
  • Gathering input from staff for program modifications and planning/managing projects to implement those modifications.
  • Creating, modifying, or assisting in the development of documents including standards, policies, procedures, guidelines, manuals, etc. through collaborative work with region recreation managers, communications staff, division staff, and contractors.
  • Supporting staff to implement signage policy documents and resource materials.
Coordinate Recreation Volunteer Program and Agency Volunteer Reporting
  • Developing and/or launching tracking tools for tracking agency volunteers, including training staff on their use.
  • Managing records for recreation program volunteers requiring specialized training and approvals.
  • Setting schedules and creating processes for submission of agency-wide volunteer hours.
  • Compiling and submitting quarterly agency-wide volunteer data for internal and external audiences to support mandatory reporting requirements, reports to funders, and to support funding and policy requests to the legislature.
  • Managing application processes for Forest Watch and Camp Host volunteers.
  • Develop and coordinate recognition system for recreation volunteers.
  • Serving as recreation program and agency main point of contact for volunteer topics.
Plan, develop, and manage policy documents and resource materials for volunteers
  • Gathering input from staff for program modifications and planning/managing projects to implement those modifications.
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining the agency-wide Volunteer Manual, policy documents, and guidelines in accordance with agency policy development processes.
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining recreation volunteer reference materials and handbooks.
  • Supporting staff to implement volunteer policy documents and resource materials through the creation of procedures and guidelines.
  • Collaborating with recreation volunteer managers to create or improve tools to increase success and efficiency of volunteer management, including Camps Hosts, Forest Watch and Trailhead Ambassadors.
  • Developing and/or updating processes and guidance for the recruitment and support of Campground Hosts.
Manage Partner Agreements and Engagement
  • Creating, reviewing, updating, and managing statewide cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and service contracts with recreation partners.
  • Managing cooperative agreement-based work orders generated by region project managers, including reviewing, providing feedback, and stewarding the process with DNR's procurement office.
  • Managing Interagency Agreements related to volunteer support or management across jurisdictions.
  • Serving as the primary point of contact with DNR's procurement office for any contracts within the scope of position duties.
  • Represents DNR on work groups and advisory councils, including those organized by the Recreate Responsibly Coalition, the Recreation and Conservation Office, and others as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.
  • Bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation, natural resource sciences, public administration, environmental studies, or a related field AND three (3) years of relevant professional experience;
    OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Knowledge of:
    • Current trends in outdoor recreation management, laws, policies, and programs.
    • Volunteer management best practices
    • Project management principles, tools, and techniques

Required Competencies:
  • Accustomed to and competent with a range of technologies including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and cloud-based collaboration tools, including the ability to learn new tools.
  • High attention to detail.
  • Manage multiple complex tasks at once, setting work priorities for self and teams, and completing tasks on time.
  • Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, write effectively, and communicate with diverse groups both internal and external.
  • Accustomed to researching, interpreting, and applying agency laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Active listening skills as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts; receive and convey ideas, thoughts, and information to a variety of people and groups.
  • 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 ensure requests are followed.
  • DNR Core Competencies:
    • Personal Accountability
    • Value Others
    • Compassionate Communication
    • Inspire Others
    • Commitment to Excellence
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:
  • Primarily office setting with occasional independent travel to remote outdoor locations statewide, for the purpose of site visits and meetings. Telework for office duties may be approved by the supervisor.
  • Occasional travel.
  • 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:
These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.
  • Knowledge and/or experience with recreational signage.
  • Experience directly managing and training volunteers.
  • Experience with contract management and work order development.
  • Knowledge of public lands management for multiple uses.
  • Knowledge of tribal sovereignty and environmental justice, including understanding historical and present-day context.
At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at
Supplemental Information
Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact
  • Online Application: Apply at (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
  • Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the requirements of the position, and explain why you're the best candidate for the job.
  • Resume: Your resume should consist of your work history, education, volunteer work, life skills, experience, and any other relevant information associated with the position.
  • References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
  • Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
  • Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).
  • Email Communication: Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive these communications.

Questions? Please contact Sam Hensold at /360-515-6470 or email us at

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