Natural Resources Division Manager - Planning & Development Services

Natural Resources Division Manager

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) is looking for a Natural Resources Division Manager who is a forward-thinking leader who likes to delve into complex development and natural resource management issues and find innovative solutions.This individual will manage the natural resource planning and permitting review process while implementing provisions of state and federal mandated requirements including the Growth Management Act (GMA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The ideal candidate is a collaborative, creative problem solver who possesses strong technical and interpersonal skills. This important position provides strategic oversight and leadership to the Natural Resources Division. The successful candidate will report to the Director and work with the leadership team to maintain the highest level of customer service to the public and other agencies.

Essential duties include:

• Ensuring timely, accurate and complete information on natural resource permitting review, work products and programs.
• Managing critical area and watershed/stormwater permit review approval processes consistent with all developmental and natural resource regulations, including implementation of decisions and instructions resulting from hearings, appeals processes and actions of the County Council.
• Providing policy and technical guidance to staff, departments, commissions, elected officials, and the public to ensure compliance with natural resource related statutory requirements and regulations.
• Providing staff supervision, training and mentoring on implementation of policies, procedures and new or revised regulations.
• Responding to concerns and issues and determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive internal and external customer relations.
• Establishing the procedures and recommending administrative policy for efficient and effective operation of the permit review process to produce productive exchange of information involving natural resource approvals and reports; and providing general information to the customers and public.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Planning or field related to Natural Resources. Master's degree is preferred.
• Five years of progressively responsible related experience including two years of supervisory or lead experience.
• Requires educational specialization in the area of urban planning; environmental sciences, studies or policy; wetland ecology; geography; geology; biology; freshwater studies; hydrology; forestry; land use; public administration or a closely related field.

Requires knowledge of:

• Natural resource statutes in the Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington, Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, and forest practices.
• County land use, critical areas, shoreline and stormwater regulations.
• The impact of current state legislation on local planning and critical area permit issues and a thorough, detailed knowledge of Washington's critical area growth management laws and/or similar environmental management laws and legislative impacts in other states.

The ideal candidate must have excellent project management and communication skills in addition to advanced experience and knowledge in the areas of Planning and Natural Resources. In addition, the successful candidate will need to effectively interact with diverse groups of residents, customers and key stakeholders in a consistent, transparent and diplomatic manner. The ideal candidate will need to be comfortable engaging and communicating with key stakeholders and customers by being accessible and approachable, working in an environment which often deals with diverse and competing interests. The ideal candidate will be solution driven, possess emotional intelligence and demonstrate proven conflict resolutions skills.

2026 Salary: Unrepresented Range 11: $8,093 - $11,751 per month. Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).