Fish and Wildlife Program Manager

FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES, KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Wellness program

Training and development

Job summary

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources is seeking a Program Manager to lead statewide conservation education initiatives, including camps, classroom instruction, and community outreach. The role requires guiding teams, managing budgets, and building partnerships to advance the agency’s mission.

The ideal candidate will have five years of relevant experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and strong leadership and communication skills to engage diverse audiences and executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in one of the listed fields.
• Five years of experience in fish and wildlife management, fish and wildlife law enforcement, conservation education, engineering, professional accounting or marketing.
• A master's degree substitutes for one year of required experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Must possess a valid driver's license prior to employment and maintain credentials as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for statewide conservation education programs.
• Supervise and mentor conservation education staff delivering programs across Kentucky.
• Develop and assess educational programs to support agency goals and public engagement.
• Plan and manage program budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Manage vendor relationships and partnerships supporting education programming.
• Prepare reports and briefings for agency leadership and commission members.
• Collaborate with district personnel and stakeholders to expand program reach.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Partnership building

Public outreach

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Biological science degree

Public relations degree

Fish and wildlife management degree

Law enforcement degree

Engineering degree

Education degree

Recreation administration degree

Professional accounting degree

Marketing degree

Job description

Fish and Wildlife Program Manager

Pay Grade 18

Salary: $64,527.60 - $94,892.88 Annually

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Hiring Agency: Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet | Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources

Location: 1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

Would you like to work alongside people who are passionate about conserving Kentucky’s fish and wildlife resources? Do you want to help create opportunities for people of all ages to experience and enjoy the outdoors through fishing, hunting, boating, recreational shooting, wildlife watching, and other outdoor pursuits? Join the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and become part of an innovative, mission-driven team dedicated to connecting people with Kentucky’s natural resources.

We are seeking a Fish and Wildlife Program Manager to lead statewide conservation education initiatives that engage citizens, inspire future conservation stewards, and advance the agency’s mission. This position provides an exciting opportunity to oversee programs that reach thousands of Kentuckians through conservation camps, classroom instruction and community outreach.

The ideal candidate is a skilled conservation professional, educator, or program administrator with experience leading complex initiatives, supervising teams, managing budgets and building partnerships. This individual will bring vision, organization and collaboration skills to support staff and transform agency priorities into meaningful educational experiences across the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities and job duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight for statewide conservation education programs, including conservation camps, classroom-based instruction and public outreach initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor and support conservation education staff responsible for delivering programs throughout Kentucky.
• Develop, implement, assess and improve educational programs to ensure they effectively support agency goals and public engagement efforts.
• Plan and manage program budgets, monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of agency resources.
• Manage vendor relationships and partnerships that support conservation education programming.
• Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations and program updates for agency leadership and commission members.
• Collaborate with district personnel, educators, conservation partners and stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of agency programs.

Preferred skills may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Experience leading multi-site programs, educational initiatives or public outreach efforts.
• Demonstrated success in supervising staff, fostering teamwork and developing employee capabilities.
• Knowledge and experience with budget development, financial tracking and resource management.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage executive leadership, community partners and diverse audiences.

We offer a great package of EMPLOYEE and FAMILY-FRIENDLY BENEFITS, including:

• A 37.5-hour work week (with occasional overtime required)
• Paid time off (sick and vacation) plus paid holidays
• Overtime and compensatory time
• Affordable health insurance with optional Health Reimbursement Account
• Life insurance
• Retirement
• Wellness incentives program
• Training and career development opportunities; paid continuing education
• Optional Deferred Compensation program (401K)
• Employee discounts on electronics; health and wellness; retail; travel, events and entertainment; and services and education

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in a biological science, public relations, fish and wildlife management, law enforcement, engineering, education, recreation administration, professional accounting, marketing or related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have five years of experience in fish and wildlife management, fish and wildlife law enforcement, conservation education, engineering, professional accounting or marketing.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: A master's degree in a related field will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Additional experience in the area of fish and wildlife management, fish and wildlife law enforcement or related field will substitute for the college on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must possess a valid driver's license prior to employment in this job classification. Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification. Employing agency is responsible for ensuring employee possesses and maintains required licensure(s), certification(s) or other credentials.

Working Conditions: Considerable time will be spent outdoors working with field management personnel. Extensive travel will be required within the region and throughout the state.

Probationary Period: This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Kevin Kelly at [e-mail].

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D