Regional Communications Manager - WMS Band 2 - Permanent - 2026-07546

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Regional Communications Manager, you will provide strategic communications leadership across Washington, helping shape how WDFW communicates with communities, partners, stakeholders, and the public. You will lead a team of regional communications staff and develop strategies that build trust, strengthen relationships, and support WDFW’s mission to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. This is an opportunity to shape communications on high-profile issues and translate complex science, management decisions, and agency priorities into clear, meaningful, and consistent information for the public. Through your leadership, you will strengthen WDFW’s relationships and reputation across Washington while supporting greater public understanding of fish and wildlife conservation and WDFW’s contributions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, Design, Political Science, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of highly responsible, professional experience working in strategic communications with civic leaders, non-profit organizations, the government, media, or business leaders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience building collaborative relationships with communities, partners, organizations, or other groups and working effectively with the public.
• Supervisory experience, including the ability to inspire, coach, and lead staff.
• Ability to motivate and lead multi-program teams and external coalitions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Design, Marketing, Political Science or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of demonstrated leadership experience building collaborative relationships with communities, partners, organizations, or other groups and working effectively with the public.
• Experience in natural resource management communications, crisis communications, and communication and outreach plan development.
• Demonstrated ability to identify strategic target audiences and to develop and activate promotional strategies and communication campaigns to move those audiences to a desired outcome.
• Proficiency in data presentation utilizing both visualization and story-telling techniques to provide compelling arguments.
• Experience as a Public Information Officer.
• Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

• Support regional communications staff in providing consistent, coordinated communications and customer service across WDFW, the media, and external audiences.
• Foster collaboration among regional communications specialists to troubleshoot, brainstorm, and remedy challenges that pop up around communications and outreach in the regions.
• Deliver guidance from CAPE leadership and support coordination within CAPE and other WDFW Programs on communication policies, standards, and expectations.
• Explore ways to maintain WDFW’s relevancy for the public in the regions and continue to reach new audiences in innovative ways.
• Develop and implement regional strategic communications and outreach planning efforts that prioritize available resources and optimize impact and results.
• Guide the development of various communication materials, including fact sheets, talking points, brochures, web content, social media posts, short videos, and news releases.
• Serve as a spokesperson for WDFW on high-profile or complex issues and provide backup support to the agency’s Strategic Communications Manager.
• Provide leadership for regional outreach activities that build relationships with communities, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support regional communications specialists in planning, coordinating, and conducting outreach activities to ensure activities are coordinated, strategically aligned, and consistent with agency priorities.
• Develop strategic communications and outreach efforts to highlight outdoor activities on WDFW-managed lands and water access areas.
• Review communications and outreach materials developed by regional communications specialists, including blog posts, news releases, videos, and social media.
• Manage regional communications staff, which includes supervising, setting clear expectations, and conducting performance evaluations.

Benefits

• This position may include telework options up to 2 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.
• In addition to pay and other special employee programs , there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level