Hunter Education Field Coordinator-Community Outreach Environmental Education Spec 4-Perm-2026-09132

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington in Olympia, WA seeks a Hunter Education Field Coordinator, Region 6, to oversee Hunter Education activities across Region 6 and build strong partnerships with volunteers, the public, and partner organizations. The role leads hundreds of volunteer instructors, ensuring consistent program delivery, while developing and implementing improvements.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and multiple years of related experience, with a hybrid schedule and travel across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, wildlife management, environmental, natural, or physical science, communications, or a related field.
• Four years of professional experience involving environmental or community education or outreach, wildlife management, environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, or communications activities.
• Certification as Washington Hunter Education instructor or ability to obtain within three months may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, facilitate, and direct implementation of the Hunter Education Program and related agency work.
• Coordinate staff and volunteers to deliver education, outreach, customer service, and internal agency support.
• Develop, refine, and implement orientation trainings for Master Hunter Permit Program applicants and existing Master Hunters.
• Coordinate volunteer opportunities and activities, including recruitment of new volunteers and engagement in agency projects.

Skills

Leadership experience

Volunteer coordination

Public interaction

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, wildlife management, environmental, natural, or physical science, communications, or a related field

Job description

Title – Hunter Education Field Coordinator, Region 6

Classification – Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 4

Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent WDFW Program – Public Engagement Division - Hunter Education Section Duty Station – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework - This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least three days per week onsite at the Olympia, WA duty station and up to two days of telework. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business needs.

Region 6 Counties Served - Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, and Thurston.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As our Hunter Education Field Coordinator, you will serve as a program expert, overseeing Hunter Education Section activities throughout Region 6 while building strong partnerships with WDFW volunteers, the public, and other organizations.

This is an opportunity to lead and support hundreds of certified volunteer Hunter Education Instructors, ensuring consistent program delivery while helping develop and implement program improvements.

Working closely with WDFW managers and executives, you will coordinate staff and volunteers to deliver education, outreach, customer service, and internal agency support related to hunter education, the Master Hunter Permit Program, and hunting.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by strengthening community partnerships and supporting safe, responsible hunting.

What to Expect -

Lead, facilitate, and direct implementation of the Hunter Education Program and related agency work:

• Recruit, train, and certify new hunter education instructors using structured training and certification in the pre-service training process.
• Supervise, support, and coordinate volunteer certified Hunter Education instructors in successfully implementing the Hunter Education program within Region 6.
• Ensure policy adherence, resolve conflicts and other issues, approve volunteer timesheets, audit teaching techniques for effectiveness and consistency with policies and procedures, issue WDFW assets including firearms, research any complaints against volunteer instructors and take or recommend corrective actions.
• Conduct hunter education instructor inventory verification.
• Serve as the statewide lead for development, refinement, and implementation of orientation trainings for Master Hunter Permit Program applicants and existing Master Hunters.
• Serve as the statewide lead for development and implementation of the hunter education class and venue emergency response plans.

Volunteer Coordination:

• Coordinate and facilitate volunteer opportunities and activities including recruitment of new volunteers and recruitment of existing volunteers to specific agency volunteer projects.
• Work with WDFW staff to promote the use of volunteers and help staff identify volunteer projects.
• Assist in the implementation and refinement of strategies to maximize the use of Master Hunters to address priority needs.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Duties are performed in an office setting and in the field, work includes strenuous physical activity, occasionally lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds of tools, equipment, firearms, etc. at a time, and loading/unloading pickup trucks and utility trailers. Work settings include volunteer project sites, Hunter Education field courses, outdoor shooting ranges and live-fire training environments, and settings where Hunter Education teaching teams are evaluated.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week, however, the schedule may vary to include evenings and weekends to accommodate schedules of volunteers, events, etc.

Travel Requirements: This position manages a large geographic area and long drives and overnight stays are required to effectively reach and supervise volunteers and volunteer projects. May be required to attend conferences, workshops, fair events, or assist with WDFW approved volunteer training exercises throughout the state and occasionally out of the state.

Tools and Equipment: Computer, WDFW issued vehicle, hunter education utility trailer, WDFW assigned hunter education firearms and bows, general volunteer equipment, and other outreach event materials.

Customer Interactions: Work routinely with the public, WDFW staff, certified Master Hunters, certified hunter education instructors, other state/federal agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, and individuals interested in providing volunteer service. Requires tact and diplomacy when objectively explaining agency policies, directives, and functions without expressing personal opinions, and professionalism in de‑scaling situations involving frustrated individuals.

Qualifications:

Relevant professional or volunteer experience in education, wildlife management, environmental science, natural science, physical science, communications, or a related field may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

A comparable combination of education and experience may also qualify.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, wildlife management, environmental, natural, or physical science, communications, or a related field.

AND all of the following experience (may be gained concurrently):

Four (4) years of professional experience involving environmental or community education or outreach, wildlife management, environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, or communications activities.

At least two (2) years of experience in/with:

• Hunting and hunting equipment.
• Proper and safe use of firearms.
• Providing leadership in a work, volunteer, or team setting. (This may include supervising employees, managing volunteers, leading projects, or coordinating the work of others).
• Working effectively in a team setting.
• Working independently and positively interacting with the public and volunteers without direct supervision.
• Being responsive to high internal and external demands for coordination and communication and implementing chain of command directions to deliver high-quality work products.
• Solving complex issues and concerns positively and constructively.
• Handling public complaints and questions in a professional, diplomatic, and positive manner.
• Working directly with and coordinating agency or organization staff and the public.
• Communicating professionally and effectively with a wide variety of audiences both verbally and in writing.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a criminal background check.
• No prior arrests, convictions, or pending legal proceedings related to sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, or that preclude the possession or handling of firearms.
• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department‑issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency‑issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.
• Certification as a Washington Hunter Education instructor or the ability to obtain such certification within three (3) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Certification as a Washington Hunter Education Instructor.
• Certification as a Washington Master Hunter.
• Knowledge and experience of fishing and outdoor recreation.
• Possession of a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
• Ability to develop policies and procedures.
• An understanding of navigating through state government policies, procedures, rules, and laws,
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and computer software including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Experience with the following:

• Working with the Hunter Education Program.
• Working with the Master Hunter Permit Program.
• Working with and managing volunteers, especially Hunter Education Instructors, Master Hunters, and other natural resource volunteers.
• Developing and/or implementing training programs.
• Teaching and designing classroom and field classes using a variety of teaching modes.
• Integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles into work and working with multicultural communities.
• Teaching best practices in education and curriculum design.
• Working as a natural resource volunteer.
• Managing and prioritizing workload using good time management skills.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union -WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [e-mail].
• 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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

We hope this sheds light on the level of future recognition. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone [phone] or email [e-mail], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-09132.

Know someone who would like to volunteer? WDFW-Get Involved-Volunteer!

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

kd