Regional Wildlife Program Manager

About the Role

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. You will foster accountability, collaboration, communication, and team effectiveness across the program, serving as the link between agency administration and field operations. This role oversees four divisions (Game, Wildlife Diversity, Landowner Services, and Lands) and supports staff across Region 4, including three Wildlife Area Complexes and over 100 Water Access Areas.

Responsibilities

• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks aligned with Agency Strategic Goals, Program initiatives, and Division objectives.
• Participate in regular meetings for the Agency Senior Management Team, Wildlife Program Leadership Team, and Regional Management Team.
• Develop policies for species plans and recreational hunting programs with regional and statewide significance.
• Manage the Region 4 Wildlife Program budget.
• Negotiate with the public, Indian Tribes, organized constituent groups, and other state, county, city, and federal agencies regarding wildlife management policies, recreation access, hunting recreation, and wildlife protection.
• Oversee management of Department-owned land in Region 4.
• Direct biological survey efforts to protect threatened and endangered species and 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 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:
  • 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) Years of professional experience in:
  • 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:
  • 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.