Regional Wildlife Program Manager – Region 6 - WMS Band 2 - Permanent - 2026-00273

Full Job Description

Title – Regional Wildlife Program Manager – Region 6

Classification -WMS Band 2

Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program - Wildlife Program
Duty Station – Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Coastal Region 6 Counties Served - Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, and Thurston.

Remote Employment - This position may include telework options up to 1-2 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.

Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until February 22, 2026. First review of applications will take place January 22, 2026. 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!

Photo Caption: Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly – Photo Credit: WDFW

As the Regional Wildlife Program Manager for Region 6, you will provide strategic direction and executive oversight to advance WDFW priorities and deliver effective wildlife conservation and recreation outcomes.

Serving as the critical link between agency administration and field operations, you will oversee four divisions (Game, Wildlife Diversity, Landowner Services, and Lands) and provide leadership for wildlife and lands management across three Wildlife Area Complexes encompassing more than 20 units and over 26,000 acres, including water and public access sites.

With your leadership experience, you will play a key role in policy development, program planning, and the advancement of new initiatives, while navigating complex and politically sensitive issues related to wildlife conflict, lands management, and threatened and endangered species.

Photo Caption: Roosevelt Bull Elk – Photo Credit: Amanda Baltzell

What to Expect-

In this role, the Regional Wildlife Program Manager provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washington’s wildlife populations in Region 6, some of the key responsibilities include:

• Supervising regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address Agency Strategic Goals, Program directives, and Division objectives.
• Managing the Region 6 Wildlife Program budget.
• Participating as a member in regular meetings for Agency Senior Management Team, Wildlife Program Leadership Team, and Regional Senior Staff.
• Developing policies included in species plans and recreational hunting programs having regional and statewide significance.
• Negotiating with the public, Indian Tribes, organized constituents’ groups, other state, county, city and federal agencies regarding wildlife management policies, recreation access, hunting recreation and wildlife protection.
• Managing the Department-owned land base in the region.
• Directing biological survey efforts to protect threatened and endangered species and to assess game species status.
• Acting as the Wildlife Program contact for Tribes, legislators and other elected officials in Region 6.
• Developing hunting season recommendations for the region for statewide participation.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Primarily office-based work with some fieldwork. Fieldwork may include exposure to variable weather conditions, rough or uneven terrain, and interactions with wildlife or livestock.

Schedule: Full-time, overtime exempt - expected to schedule time within a typical 40-hour work week, Monday – Friday, however, may need to adjust schedule and work additional hours/days as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.

Alternative work schedules may be considered based on operational requirements and supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements: Requires frequent travel throughout Region 6 and occasional travel to other regions for meetings, field visits, and coordination with agency staff and partners. Vehicle is provided for travel.

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, or a related field.

AND all of the following experience, may be gained concurrently:

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.

Three (3) years of professional experience:

One (1) year of professional experience:

• Managing budgets, grants, or contracts and effectively allocating resources across multiple projects.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements:

Background Checks & Fingerprinting -

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• 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.

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.

Additional 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: 2026-1234 – 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 #2026-00273.

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