Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager – Environmental Planner 4 – Permanent – 2025-08378

Title- Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM)
Classification- Environmental Planner 4
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Habitat Program – Region 1
Duty Station– Spokane Valley, Washington – Spokane County
Hybrid/Telework- This position is eligible to telework up to two days per week, at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM) plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing WDFW’s mission to preserve, protect, and sustain Washington’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. In this position, you’ll guide high-profile habitat policies and initiatives, ranging from salmon recovery and forest practices to land use, energy, and major projects – while serving as a key liaison to federal, state, local, and tribal partners. 

As a Senior Manager for District 1 and 2 Habitat Program, you’ll lead a talented team of Habitat Biologists, fostering strong relationships with diverse agencies, organizations, and stakeholders. Your leadership will directly influence decisions that protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat through regulation, technical assistance, and customer-focused collaboration. This is a dynamic opportunity for someone who thrives at the intersection of environmental policy, partnership building, and strategic team leadership.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager will,

Act as District Policy Lead and Liaison: 

• Assist Senior and Executive Management in identifying those new policies, new direction of existing policies and significant initiatives.
• Serve as Liaison and Policy Lead within the District(s) for projects/issues/processes that are impacted by new or redirected policies or significant initiatives.
• As District Policy lead conduct strategic analyses concerning agency or externally developed policies, redirected policies, or significant initiatives.
• Communicate and/or present strategic analysis information to the RHPM for coordination with Senior Management or Executive Management and assist in development of strategic and tactical steps to accomplish agency and partner goals that are consistent with the Agency mission.

Supervision: 

• Provides guidance, direction, and information to staff regarding Program/Agency policies, procedures, and directions in a clear and timely manner.
• Works with staff to develop strategic approach to accomplishing goals, addressing issues, and successfully implementing assignments.
• Provides mentoring to staff to promote and support professional development.
• Directs, guides, and provides information to staff for successful implementation of the Hydraulic Code, engagement in Land Use Planning, engagement in Forest Practice Activities, and Restoration activities.

Program Strategic Planning:

• Actively engages with the Regional Leadership Team (RLT) to assist Program Leadership and Executive Management in Program or Agency level short-term and long-term strategic planning.
• Works with Regional Habitat Program Manager (RHPM) and other ARHPM’s in region to develop and bring regional perspective to Program/Agency strategic planning.
• Responsible for the implementation of appropriate aspects of the strategic plan within the District that they supervise.
• Responsible for communicating and encouraging support for the strategic direction identified by the Program and/or Agency in the District.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed in both office and outdoor environments. Fieldwork may require the use of Garmin devices, range finders, clinometers, and other field equipment. Knowledge of electroshocking procedures and safety protocols may be necessary. Physical and environmental demands include operating vehicles in off-road conditions, working in remote terrestrial and aquatic environments, walking over rough terrain for short distances (less than one mile) on a regular basis and occasionally for several miles. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Approximately 40% of work is conducted in the field performing ride-alongs, site visits, or attending meetings across the state. Periods of overnight travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Commonly used tools include boots, GPS units, waders, rain gear, computers, phones, and a state-assigned work vehicle. Fieldwork may require the use of Garmin devices, range finders, clinometers, and other field equipment. Knowledge of electroshocking procedures and safety protocols may be necessary.

Customer Interactions: Interacts regularly with agency staff, other government agencies, tribal representatives, private stakeholders, special interest groups, and the public. Keeps management informed of controversial or politically sensitive issues within the region. Consults with supervisors and management before taking action or representing the Department on sensitive matters to ensure appropriate coordination and agency alignment.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, or related field and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research, or any environmental or natural resource field.

Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. A master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of required experience A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated skill supervising, leading, and coaching people.
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills in contentious work settings. Leadership reaching consensus and de-escalating conflict.
• General understanding of various regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Demonstrated ability to work within the regulatory environment including reviewing, issuing, monitoring or complying with federal, state or local environmental permits.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union -WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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