Assistant Wildlife Program Manager – WMS Band 2 – Permanent – *09737-24

Working Title –Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager 
Classification – WMS Band 2
Job Status – Permanent 
WDFW Program – Wildlife Program
Duty Station – Colville, Washington – Stevens County
Eastern Region 1 – District 1 Counties Served: Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens.
Remote Employment – Approved for hybrid flexibility up to 2 days per week, at the discretion of the hiring manager. 
Posting Timeline – This recruitment will be posted until October 15, 2024.  The first review of applications will be on September 12, 2024 – application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Step into a key leadership role as our Assistant Wildlife Program Manager, where you’ll oversee the management of Wildlife Program issues and personnel in District 1, as well as the Wildlife Conflict and Private Lands sections within Region 1.

Become our policy spokesperson and representative, drive the management of Wildlife Program priorities centered on wildlife population conservation and management, wildlife species investigations, and Landowner Services activities – including human-wildlife interactions and private lands work.

Your expertise will shape the future of wildlife conservation and foster impactful collaborations with a diverse group of stakeholders, landowners, and within the agency.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Wildlife Program Manager will, 

• Serve as Liaison and Policy Lead for emergent issues related to implementing WDFW policies or programs, including wildlife management, wildlife/human conflict, wolf, bear, and cougar management, and private lands access.
• Work closely with the Statewide Wolf Policy lead, Game Division, and Landowner Services Division to receive policy insight and provides guidance and direction to Wildlife Program staff regarding agency response to wildlife conflict events.
• Serve as the Wildlife Program liaison with Enforcement Program in District 1 to ensure cross-program coordination in response and/or communication.
• Provide guidance, direction, and information to staff regarding Program/Agency policies, procedures, and direction in a clear and timely manner.
• Work with individual staff to provide guidance and direction regarding workload control and prioritization.
• Demonstrate inclusive leadership through collaboration, active listening skills and authentic team building.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate information and provides method(s) for timely communication in-between team meetings.
• Manage and coordinate staffing resources so the agency can appropriately respond to depredation events – ensure a cohesive Wildlife Program response to depredation events.
• Elevate policy issues or questions to the Regional Wildlife Program Manager (RWPM) or other policy staff.
• Coordinate with the Enforcement Program, Wildlife Biologists, Conflict Specialists, Research Scientists and Technicians working in District 1.
• Be responsible for interpreting and applying policies and elevating policy issues or questions to the RWPM, Regional Director, and/or Wildlife Program leadership as needed.
• Serve as the Wildlife Program lead for developing team recommendations in response to wolf/livestock depredations within Region 1.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Primarily office work and occasional field work with exposure to trips, falls, inclement weather, and wild/domestic animals.

Schedule: Work hours are flexible, but are expected to occur between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. Attending occasional nighttime meetings will be required. 

At times, additional hours will be needed to accomplish tasks, including evening and weekend work.

Travel Requirements: Approximately 40% – will require travel throughout District 1 and occasionally throughout Region 1.

Customer Relations: Contact with the public, including some contact with those who may be frustrated.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

AND all of the following: 

• Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research or habitat management or habitat research.
• At least one (1) year of experience supervising professional staff (this experience can be gained concurrently).
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport, partner, and work collaboratively with the public, tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Please 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 may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• A valid, unrestricted (other than visual aid) Washington or other State Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• A Master’s degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
• Three (3) years of experience supervising professional staff.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups including federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, elected officials, native American tribes, conservation organizations, livestock producers, and hunting organizations.

Competencies: 

• Knowledge of wildlife and ecological processes pertinent to the Northwest.
• Knowledge of cougar, bear, and wolf management in the western United States.
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with members of the public with diverse opinions and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated skill supervising, leading, and coaching people.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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

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 kaila.daudt@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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-09737.

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