Regional Wildlife Program Manager - Region 1 - WMS Band 2 - Permanent - 2025-08439

State of Washington•Spokane, WA

26d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lead the future of Washington's wildlife in a critical leadership role where you will shape regional policy, guide complex conservation strategies, and oversee teams dedicated to preserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while supporting sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities. As the policy spokesperson and representative for the Wildlife Program in Region 1, you will direct all program operations, including species management, hunting regulations, habitat stewardship, wildlife conflict mitigation, and landowner services, ensuring science-driven implementation across the region. The Regional Wildlife Program Manager leads four divisions (Game, Wildlife Diversity, Landowner Services, and Lands), makes decisions with statewide significance, engages diverse stakeholders on complex issues, and provides strategic guidance to advance resilient ecosystems, sustainable recreation, and long-term conservation success. What to Expect - In this role, the Regional Wildlife Program Manager provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washington's wildlife populations, some of the key responsibilities include:

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or a related field.
Five (5) years of professional experience:
Applying advanced principles and techniques of wildlife management, including the biology and ecology of regional wildlife species such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Implementing recognized methods and standards for habitat and land management.
Navigating regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic processes related to wildlife management, conflict management, and/or land management activities.
Working with private landowners and/or agricultural producers to address wildlife conservation.
Three (3) years of professional experience:
Supervising or managing senior-level staff, including providing guidance, training, conflict resolution, work planning, and performance management and evaluation.
Building a strong team dynamic across dispersed locations.
Managing priorities and activities across multiple divisions and sections within a Wildlife Program.
Communicating, verbally and in writing, technical information to diverse audiences.
Building and maintaining relationships with constituents and stakeholders with diverse interests, including engaging in processes that influence political and policy outcomes.
One (1) year of professional experience:
Managing budgets, grants, or contracts and effectively allocating resources across multiple projects.
Valid Driver's License

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or higher in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or a related field.
Three (3) years of professional experience working with tribal governments, local communities, nonprofit organizations, or other stakeholders to build consensus and support for wildlife management objectives.
Three (3) years of professional experience with data collection, GIS mapping, wildlife population modeling, or other technical tools to support management decisions.

Responsibilities

Supervising regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address the agency's strategic goals, program directives, and division objectives.
Participating in regular meetings as a member of the Agency Senior Management Team, Wildlife Program Leadership Team, and Regional Senior Management Staff.
Developing policies that are included in species plans and recreational hunting programs that have regional and statewide significance.
Ensuring a cohesive Wildlife Program response to depredation events.
Being responsible for interpreting and applying policies and elevating policy issues or questions to the Regional Director and/or Wildlife Program leadership.
Serving as the Wildlife Program policy lead for team recommendations in response to wolf/livestock depredations.
Managing the implementation of the Region 1 Wildlife Program budget.
Negotiating with the public, Tribes, organized constituents' groups, other state, county, city and federal agencies regarding wildlife management policies, recreation access, hunting recreation and wildlife protection.
Providing oversight to regional wildlife conflict activities to ensure continued successful integration into the Wildlife Program and proper implementation in the region.