Salary : $143,196.00 - $166,992.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/16/2026 12:00 AM Pacific

Description
Senior Strategic Advisor, ExemptRecruitment #2026-6-7981
Full-time, Exempt 5, Non-represented position
Location: Olympia, WA
Partial Telework flexibility may be available and consideredRelocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $11,933.00 - $13,916.00 Monthly
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $11,933.00 - $14,650.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 7/2/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Senior Strategic Advisor holds a multidimensional role within the Commissioner's Office and sits on the Executive Leadership Team. The Senior Strategic Advisor will help develop and review agency policy and initiatives, draft and review legislation, assist AAGs and agency staff in researching and interpreting laws, rules, and regulations, and offer strategic guidance on a host of items that require legal analysis or risk assessment. The Senior Strategic Advisor works closely with the Attorney General's Office and liaises on litigation issues on behalf of the agency. The Senior Strategic Advisor provides advice and facilitates training on ethics, conflicts of interest, public meetings, public records production, and lobbying restrictions to ensure compliance across the agency and its component groups.

The Senior Strategic Advisor works with the other teams in the Commissioner's Office to ensure strategic priorities are advanced and serves as a resource to advance the Commissioner's priorities, including by offering strategic advice on complex policy development and drafting Commissioner's Orders. The Advisor also liaises with external partners to resolve complex issues consistent with the Commissioner's priorities and values.

The Senior Strategic Advisor may draft and/or review legislation and works closely with the Office of Governmental and External Affairs to promote and maintain productive relationships with elected officials and other external partners. The Senior Strategic Advisor draws upon legal and legislative process experience to inform both legislative and legal decisions within the agency, reviewing legal matters for potential legislative impacts and likewise reviewing legislation for potential legal impacts.
Duties

Responsibilities:
Strategic Legal Advisor to the Commissioner and senior leaders

• Provide and communicate accurate and thoughtful legal advice to the Commissioner and senior leaders through briefing memos, meetings, and presentations.
• Research pertinent legal issues; monitor/interpret relevant state, federal, and local laws and regulations.
• Coordinate, prepare, and review the Commissioner's Orders.
• Provide ethics guidance and/or training to the Executive Leadership Team.
• Prepare the agency's legal response to emergency and crisis situations.
• Developing and leading the agency's legal strategy to promote and protect the agency's interests.
• Overseeing the delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish agency goals, strategies, and priorities.
• Maintaining proper agency interactions with the relevant local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislatures, and the community at large.
• Advising the Commissioner of Public Lands, Chief of Staff, and other senior agency executives and officers on a variety of issues.
• Providing counsel regarding legal issues that arise in the day-to-day operation of the agency.

Strategic Policy Advisor

• Research, analyze, and brief senior leadership on complex policy issues that require a strategic 360-degree perspective.
• Review draft legislation to identify/resolve legal issues and ensure consistency with the Commissioner's priorities.
• Partner with other team members on policy development and addressing related legal issues.
• Review and draft policies and procedures.
• Participating in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management team.
• Developing and leading internal agency compliance programs.

Liaison to the Attorney General's Office and other outside counsel

• Interface with AAGs and other outside counsel; serve as the primary point of contact with the Attorney General's Office.
• Oversee agency litigation and settlement negotiations, provide direction to AAGs and other outside counsel on legal strategy.
• Review and approve all state agency requests for AAG opinions.

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. It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 5+ years of experience practicing law.
• Demonstrated experience in a similar position in federal, state, or regional government.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal and strategic policy advice to executive leaders on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and present legal opinions and/or policy advice via briefing memos, presentations, or meetings.
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research, as well as legal documentation procedures and requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
• Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations that impact agency policy and operations.

Required Competencies:

• 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 follow requests.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and the ability to take complex ideas and communicate them effectively both internally and externally.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to track, inform, and coordinate the work of attorneys and legal professionals.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment and work in partnership with colleagues.
• Active listening skills, as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, receive and convey ideas, thoughts, and information.
• Ability to manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as coordinate, facilitate, and manage the work of ad hoc teams formed from cross-agency resources.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• This position will work in an indoor office setting. Duty station is the NRB. Telework is available upon approval.
• Some travel, including overnight travel, may be required.

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.

• Experience working for or with elected officials.
• Previous experience working in the natural resource, environmental, or similar fields.

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.
• An example of a work product: Such as a comprehensive legal memorandum or policy analysis, that demonstrates your skills in providing advice on a complex issue.
• Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts. If you have questions regarding attaching this document, please contact . If you do not attach this document, your application will not move forward in the application process.
• 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.
• 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, including a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
• 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 atwith 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 Diana Phibbs at /360-915-3317 or email us at

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