Regional Wildlife Program Manager

FISHBIO; Stanwood (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks a Regional Wildlife Program Manager for North Puget Sound Region 4 to lead a multidisciplinary team and align efforts with agency priorities, delivering conservation and recreation outcomes.

You will oversee four divisions, guide staff across Region 4, and engage with stakeholders and legislators while shaping policies, budgeting, and program planning to meet regional and statewide goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or related field.
• 5 years of professional wildlife management experience across mammals, birds, and other taxa.
• Experience navigating regulatory frameworks related to wildlife and land management.
• Experience working with private landowners or agricultural producers on wildlife conservation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to meet strategic goals.
• Participate in Agency Senior Management Team meetings.
• Develop policies in species plans and hunting programs.
• Manage Region 4 Wildlife Program budget.
• Negotiate with public, Tribes, and agencies on policy.
• Oversee Department-owned land in Region 4.
• Direct biological surveys to protect endangered species.
• Represent Wildlife Program to legislators.
• Develop region hunting season recommendations.

Skills

Wildlife management

Habitat and land management

Regulatory navigation

Stakeholder engagement

Staff supervision

Team leadership

Cross-divisional coordination

Technical communication

Budget & grants management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or related field

Job description

Description: As the Regional Wildlife Program Manager for North Puget Sound Region 4, you will lead a multidisciplinary team while providing strategic direction and executive oversight to advance WDFW priorities and deliver effective wildlife conservation and recreation outcomes.

Provide leadership and direction to regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish work aligned with the agency’s strategic goals, program directives, and division objectives. Foster accountability, collaboration, communication, and team effectiveness across the program.

Serving as the link between agency administration and field operations, you will oversee four divisions (Game, Wildlife Diversity, Landowner Services, and Lands) and support staff across Region 4. This includes setting clear expectations, ensuring consistency in program delivery, and maintaining accountability across all staff, three Wildlife Area Complexes and over 100 Water Access Areas.

You will contribute to policy development, program planning, and implementation of new initiatives, while supporting staff through complex and sometimes sensitive issues related to wildlife conflict, lands management, and threatened and endangered species.

Responsibilities

• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address Agency Strategic Goals, Program initiatives, and Division objectives.
• Participate as a member in regular meetings for Agency Senior Management Team, Wildlife Program Leadership Team, and Regional Management Team.
• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address Agency Strategic Goals, Program initiatives, and Division objectives.
• Develop policies included in species plans and recreational hunting programs that will have regional and statewide significance.
• Manage the Region 4 Wildlife Program budget.
• Negotiate with the public, Indian Tribes, organized constituents’ groups, other state, county, city and federal agencies regarding wildlife management policies, recreation access, hunting recreation and wildlife protection.
• Oversee management of Department-owned land based in Region 4.
• Direct biological survey efforts to protect threatened and endangered species and to assess game species status.
• Act as the Wildlife Program contact for legislators and other elected officials in Region 4.
• Develop hunting season recommendations for the region for statewide participation.
• Provide wildlife information to the public and to private entities for personal, legal, and contractual obligations.
• Identify statewide and Region-specific research needs.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or a related field. AND all of the following professional experience (may be gained concurrently):

Five (5) Years Of Professional Experience In/with

• Applying advanced principles and techniques of wildlife management, including the biology and ecology of regional wildlife species such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
• Implementing recognized methods and standards for habitat and land management.
• Navigating regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic processes related to wildlife management, conflict management, and/or land management activities.
• Working with private landowners and/or agricultural producers to address wildlife conservation.

Three (3) Of Professional Experience In/with

• Supervising or managing staff, including providing guidance, training, conflict resolution, work planning, performance management, and evaluation.
• Building a strong team dynamic across dispersed locations.
• Managing priorities and activities across multiple divisions and sections within a Wildlife Program.
• Communicating, verbally and in writing, technical information to diverse audiences.
• Building and maintaining relationships with constituents and stakeholders with diverse interests, including engaging in processes that influence political and policy outcomes.

One (1) Year Of Professional Experience In/with

• Managing budgets, grants, or contracts and effectively allocating resources across multiple projects.
• Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled.