Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead – WMS Band 3 – Permanent – *16088-23

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

WOLF & GRIZZLY BEAR POLICY LEAD 

WMS BAND 3 

Wildlife ProgramOlympia, Washington – Thurston County 

Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

We are seeking a highly qualified and visionary individual to join our team as the Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, reporting directly to the Wildlife Program Director. This critical role will spearhead the strategic statewide policy development and implementation for wolf and grizzly bear conservation and management in the state of Washington.

As the Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, you will be at the forefront of efforts to recover and sustain populations of wolves and grizzly bears in Washington. 

You will play a pivotal role in fostering intergovernmental relationships with key stakeholders, including land management agencies, USFWS, tribal and local governments, ensuring a collaborative approach to conservation efforts.

Bring your knowledge and innovation to this position,

Develop and implement strategic statewide policies for wolf and grizzly bear conservation, coordinating efforts with the Wildlife Diversity Division for species conservation and recovery work.

In this dynamic and critical role,

You will lead the development of public outreach strategies to promote social tolerance and garner public support for wolf management plan implementation.

Provide direction and interpretation on wolf and grizzly bear conservation and management, 

You will inform/direct work for the Landowner Services Division’s Wildlife Conflict Section as well as numerous district wildlife biologists, conflict specialists, and law enforcement staff deployed in the regions.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork,

Build intergovernmental relationships with land management agencies, US Fish & Wildlife Services (USFWS), and tribal and local governments to recover wolves and grizzly bears in Washington.  

We are seeking a candidate,

That models and promotes behavior that illustrates the value of a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workforce while encouraging staff to engage in discussions and actively and respectfully consider the ideas/input of team members and stakeholders. 

Duties

Some of what you will do as our Wolf and Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, 

• Represent the agency in State, Federal, and Tribal forums and other stakeholder groups as designated by the Director and/or Program Director.
• Direct efforts to ensure communities and partners across Washington recognize and support the contributions of the Wildlife Program to the conservation and recovery of wolves and grizzly bears.
• Draft legislation, policies, and completes bill analysis, fiscal notes, and legislative testimony on wolf recovery and management. 
• Support effective communications throughout the Program and Agency.
• Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and supports the state’s goal for a diverse workforce.
• Respond to the Governor’s Office, legislators, Office of Financial Management, tribes, and federal, state, and local agency requests for information about wolf and grizzly bear recovery, carnivore management, and related endangered species issues.
• Coordinate agency communications to the public related to wolves, respond to rulemaking petitions, and develop a post-recovery wolf plan when appropriate. 
• Supervise staff who implement on-the-ground management actions associated with the current wolf conservation and management actions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  • Work is primarily conducted in an office setting – hybrid options available. 
  • Duty Station in Olympia, daily teleworking location must be in WA state with strong affiliation to Olympia or nearby communities. 
• Schedule:
  • Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • May occasionally require evening meetings.  Work hours may exceed the standard 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. workday.
• Travel Requirements:   
  • Will require travel across the state for meetings, developing and fostering partnerships. 
  • Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. workday. 
• Customer Relations:     
  • Attending meetings, responding to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a natural resource science or related field.

AND

• Five (5) years of natural resource management experience.

And you have the following skills and competencies to qualify for this position:

• Advanced principals of management including leadership, conflict resolution, cultural diversity, policy analysis development and implementation, and budget development and expenditures.
• Proven leadership skills that model the way, inspire a shared vision, and enable others to act.
• Advanced knowledge of principals of carnivore management and wildlife conflict methods – predator-prey relationships.
• Extensive budget development and management.
• Exercise strategic planning and visioning.
• Knowledge of state and federal conservation laws.
• Work effectively with the public and diverse interests and professions.
• Organize, motivate, and provide leadership and vision for staff.

Please Note: Year for year professional experience in Natural Resources or a related field may substitute for the education requirement. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Master’s degree in natural resources, wildlife management, environmental policy, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible natural resource experience.
• Carnivore management experience and research.
• Experience with planning and public policy formulation.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities in the areas of facilitation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and work groups.