Regional Wildlife Program Manager – Region 1 WMS Band 2 Permanent

Title Regional Wildlife Program Manager Region 1

Classification - WMS Band 2

Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program - Wildlife Program
Duty Station Spokane Washington Spokane County

Eastern Region 1 CountiesServed - Asotin Columbia Ferry Garfield Lincoln Pend Oreille Spokane Stevens Walla Walla and Whitman.

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

Posting Timeframe- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until April 5 2026. First review of applications will take place March 2 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: Bull Elk in Rut Photo Credit: Brooke Naftzger

As the Regional Wildlife Program Manager for Region 1 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 four Wildlife Area Complexes encompassing approximately 113550 total acres and 35 Water Access Areas.

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: Large Tom Turkey Photo Credit: Tom Marchant

What to Expect -

In this role the Regional Wildlife Program Manager provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washingtons wildlife populations some of the key responsibilities include:

• Supervising regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address the agencys strategic goals program directives and division objectives. Directly supervise six (6) staff members and provide oversight for a total of approximately forty (40) employees.
• 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.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting including hazards: Primarily office-based work with some time spent in the field. Work in the field may include exposure to variable weather conditions rough or uneven terrain and interactions with wildlife or livestock.

Schedule:Overtime exempt expected to schedule time within a typical 40-hour work week however may need to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.

Travel Requirements: Requires frequent travel throughout Region 1 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:

Bachelors degree in Wildlife Management Natural Resource Science or a related field.

AND all of the following professional 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.
• Working with private landowners and/or agricultural producers to address wildlife conservation.

Three (3) years of professional experience:

One (1) year of professional experience:

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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.

In addition topayand otherspecial employee programs there are otherbenefitsthat 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: 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.
• 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 .

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFWs 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 or email or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at .

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position please reach out toand reference job #.

Follow us on social media:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram

kd