Wildlife Refuge Manager

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Ilwaco (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ilwaco, Washington, seeks a Wildlife Refuge Manager to lead Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, guiding its management and staff. You will apply expertise in fish, wildlife, and land stewardship to address resource and operational challenges under existing laws and policies.

The role involves coordinating with federal, state, and local partners, supervising a diverse team, and representing the Service in public forums on conservation issues affecting the refuge.

Qualifications

• Formulate long-range plans and policies for refuge operations and administration.
• Coordinate with partners and agencies to resolve complex natural resource issues.
• Supervise a diverse team of professionals and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Formulate, develop, and implement long-range plans and refuge policy across operations, fiscal, personnel, and property management.
• Administer land and aquatic conservation, habitat development, and restoration efforts.
• Identify conflicts with refuge objectives and persuade partners to achieve mutual goals.
• Represent the Service to officials, media, and stakeholders on natural resource management issues.

Job description

Open: September 3, 2026 — Closes: September 10, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager with US Fish and Wildlife Service in Ilwaco, Washington. The Wildlife Refuge Manager will lead the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, overseeing its management and administration. The position applies expertise in fish, wildlife, and land management to guide staff, address complex resource and operational challenges, and develop solutions to environmental issues involving competing priorities, laws, and policies.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Formulate, develop, and implement long-range plans, strategies, and Refuge policy associated with all operations, fiscal requirements, personnel, and property management, etc. Administer land and aquatic conservation activities, habitat development, and restoration projects. Identify possible conflicts with refuge management objectives, and use skill in persuasion, to influence partners to gain cooperation in the resolution of complex and/or controversial issues/problems to achieve mutual goals. Represent the Service as refuge management expert with elected and appointed Federal, state, and local government officials and employees, the media, local and national level environmental and conservation groups, members of academia, Tribal representatives, corporate partners, and the public on issues affecting natural resource management in the geographic area. Coordinate with state, local, and other Federal agencies and special interest groups when formulating long-range plans for the management of the Refuges' natural resources. Supervise a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical, and administrative support staff.