Watchable Wildlife Program Manager

Title: Watchable Wildlife Program Manager

State Role Title: Scientist Manager I – 59134

Hiring Range:  Salary starting at $60,000 (salary to commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept of Wildlife Resources

Location: Dept of Wildlife Resources

Agency Website: www.dwr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public – G

Job Duties

The Watchable Wildlife Program enhances, elevates, and promotes wildlife viewing and nature appreciation for the benefit of society, while building community awareness, understanding, and support for the conservation of the native wildlife and habitats upon which these activities depend. The purpose of this position is to develop and deliver wildlife conservation by connecting people to the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the outdoors through the provision and promotion of wildlife viewing opportunities and resources using scientific principles and practices. The Watchable Wildlife Program Manager works strategically to lead and supervise a staff team that prioritizes, develops, implements, and promotes programming and projects which support the four goals of the Virginia Wildlife Viewing Plan: 1) connect diverse segments of the public to wildlife and wildlife viewing in Virginia; 2) provide a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities accessible to all in the Commonwealth; 3) promote wildlife and habitat conservation through wildlife viewing; and 4) connect broader constituencies to the DWR through wildlife viewing.

This position leads the Agency’s Watchable Wildlife Program efforts in the strategic development, scientific rigor and applicability, implementation, and promotion of wildlife viewing programming. This manager directs program staff and coordinates with additional staff across the Agency to plan, implement, problem solve, and evaluate the following core functions: the Virginia Wildlife Viewing Plan, the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail (VBWT), citizen science and conservation action opportunities, wildlife festivals, wildlife viewing webcams, watchable wildlife trainings, and other priorities as needed. The incumbent serves as one of the Agency’s lead scientific experts, conservation practitioners, interpreters, and communicators for connecting with constituents who enjoy wildlife, wildlife viewing, the outdoors, and citizen science and conservation action opportunities. To connect with and engage these constituents, this manager applies an interdisciplinary approach by integrating biological sciences, social sciences, natural resources management and conservation, current and emerging technologies, and conservation education and outreach practices. As such, the program manager works with staff across the Wildlife Division and the Agency (including the Outreach Division, Nongame Program, and Human Dimensions Program) on a statewide basis to provide these wildlife viewing services: identify and develop wildlife viewing opportunities on DWR lands; identify and foster partnerships for the promotion of wildlife viewing across diverse constituents and age groups; design and support citizen science and conservation action opportunities; and, as feasible, provide consultation to government agencies, private landowners, businesses, conservation organizations, and other interested parties. This manager also serves as the DWR’s lead expert on regional and national working groups addressing wildlife viewing, citizen conservation science and engagement, and ecotourism topics and issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced expertise in wildlife science, conservation science and planning, biology, ecology, parks/recreation/tourism, natural resource management, environmental education, or a related profession.
• Considerable knowledge of the identification, life history, ecology, and applied conservation science for a broad range of wildlife species, ecosystems, and habitats, including key threats for wildlife species and current approaches for wildlife management and conservation.
• Advanced knowledge of the scientific principles, practices, and methods of wildlife viewing, and demonstrated experience in applying this knowledge to connect citizens with the conservation goals of the Agency.
• Advanced experience in engaging the public through wildlife watching techniques to promote conservation awareness, science, and actions.
• Application of the social sciences, in particular human dimensions, in engaging citizens, communities, and the general public in promoting wildlife conservation goals.
• A strong background in citizen science and conservation action, including effective development and nurturing of initiatives and partnerships with volunteer groups, communities, and other non-traditional wildlife stakeholders.
• Skilled in interpreting and/or translating scientific topics to the public.
• Ability to leverage current and emerging technologies for wildlife viewing applications (e.g., remotely-controlled webcams and designing new citizen science apps).
• Strategic thinking, creative problem solving skills, and demonstrated ability to be innovative.
• Ability to plan, integrate, manage, and evaluate programs, projects, activities, and budgets, including demonstrated experience in project management.
• Ability to lead and manage interdisciplinary teams of professionals to accomplish programmatic/project objectives.
• Ability to provide technical consultation to internal and external constituents.
• Ability to develop productive partnerships to further program objectives and achieve shared conservation goals.
• Exhibited skills in personnel management and effective communication and interpersonal skills, displaying an ability to supervise and direct others, mentor professional development of staff, and resolve personnel conflicts.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles, best practices, and effective leadership skills.
• Ability to write grant proposals to assist with funding program priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, in particular with a focus on public communications.
• Work in a manner which prioritizes the mission, programs, and services of the Agency; follow Agency policies and practices; and anticipate and correct unproductive or unsafe practices.
• Multitask in a dynamic work environment, meet rapid deadlines, and periodically work nonstandard hours.
• Highly skilled in the use of personal computers and Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) and experience with ESRI ArcGIS.
• Ability to travel throughout the state on a regular basis to professional meetings, wildlife festivals and other public events, and field site visits, and to travel out-of-state a few times annually to conferences and professional meetings.
• Motivated individual who is comfortable working in a team and also independently under remote supervision.

Additional Considerations

• Graduate degree in wildlife science, conservation science and planning, biology, ecology, wildlife or natural resource management, parks recreation or environmental education, or a related profession.
• Progressively responsible professional roles in the relevant biological sciences or social sciences (wildlife, conservation, watchable wildlife, human dimensions, etc.), wildlife or natural resource management, parks recreation or environmental education, or a related profession. A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in applying expertise, technical knowledge, and scientific principles to engaging the public through wildlife watching techniques to promote conservation awareness, science, and actions. A minimum of five (5) years of this watchable wildlife professional experience is preferred.
• Experience designing, managing, or technically supporting any of the following: bird and wildlife trail systems or other wildlife viewing public access amenities, statewide wildlife viewing plan implementation, citizen science projects, citizen/community conservation action projects, wildlife festivals, and wildlife webcams. A minimum of three (3) years of this type of experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in program and/or project management, to include directly managing staff and/or leading interdisciplinary teams, prioritizing and coordinating multiple programs or projects simultaneously, completing multiple deadlines within a short timeframe, and monitoring program/project budgets. A minimum of three (3) years of program and/or project management experience is preferred.
• Experience or training in effective supervisory and leadership skills.
• Experience with relationship building and fostering collaborative conservation partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Experience interacting with a wide variety of stakeholders and building meaningful relationships with outdoor affinity organizations that represent underserved populations.
• Experience with preparing grant proposals.
• Demonstrated experience and strong proficiency of verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with GIS software, data management, and technological solutions to promote wildlife viewing opportunities.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Applicants who submit an incomplete application or an application without an attached resume will not be considered eligible for an interview.
Ensure that all required documents and your completed application are submitted online by 11:55 PM on the ‘Job Close Date’ to be considered for this excellent career opportunity with Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources.
Faxed, emailed, and mailed applications will not be accepted for consideration.
Cover letters will be accepted in conjunction with completed application and resume.
DWR is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in the workforce. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.
Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities, if requested during the application and/or interview process.
If accommodations are needed with, he application and/or interview, please contact Human Resources Office at 804-367-0243. You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
DWR is a proud member of Virginia Values VETERAN PROGRAM.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process.
Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability.
If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use the link:
https://www.vadars.org/dars/cpid/PWContact.aspx.  Or call DARS at 800-552-5019 or DBVI at 800-822-2155 

Contact Information

Name: Marlo Gibson

Phone: 804-367-0243

Email: careers@dwr.vriginia.gov 

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer