Wildlife Refuge Manager

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

COLA 2.91%

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks a Wildlife Refuge Manager to oversee the biological program at a National Wildlife Refuge, including habitat development, population studies, and invasive species control.

The role requires coordinating with agencies and organizations, developing annual work plans and budgets, and guiding a diverse team toward high professional standards. The position emphasizes visiting services management and collaboration with partners, ensuring compliance with policies

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a biological program at a large refuge or similar
• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate and negotiate complex resource issues
• Proven leadership across professional, technical and administrative staff
• Skill in building partnerships with federal, state and local agencies and organizations

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer the biological program at the assigned Refuge
• Develop annual work plans, budgets, and program schedules
• Supervise staff and foster a collaborative, high-quality work environment
• Oversee Refuge Visitor Services with emphasis on priority public uses

Job description

Open: September 17, 2026 — Closes: October 1, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 2.91% COLA is authorized.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Oversees and administers the biological program at assigned Refuge, administering habitat development, research programs, population studies, wildlife inventory, and monitoring activities, and invasive species control. Ensures all projects comply with national, regional, and Refuge policies, regulations, and mandates. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and negotiate the resolution of complicated, unprecedented, and/or controversial resource use issues and problems related to a National Wildlife Refuge. Skill and diplomacy in developing partnerships, strategizing, and coordinating activities with other Federal, state, and local agencies, and with private and national organizations and special interest groups and organizations. Initiates and ensures the development, approval, and implementation of annual work plans, budgets, cost estimates, grants funding administration, and program schedules. Supervises a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical and administrative support staff, setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate, high quality work. Responsible for creating an environment that encourages and rewards cooperation, collective problem solving, and participative decision-making. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Oversees and administers the Refuge Visitor Services program with emphasis on the six priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System.