Chief of Enforcement – EMS Band 4 – Exempt – 2026-03425

Title – Chief of Enforcement
Classification – EMS Band 4
Job Status – Full-Time/Exempt
WDFW Program – Enforcement Program
Duty Station – 1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98502 – Thurston County
Posting Timeframe – This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until May 13, 2026.  Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be extended or closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Lead a statewide law enforcement program supporting Washington’s fish, wildlife, and natural resource protection, serving over 200 staff.

As a member of the Executive Management Team, this role shapes agency direction by developing, implementing, and advising on enforcement policy, strategy, and legislation. 

The Chief provides strategic and operational leadership across diverse field environments, overseeing the biennial budget, external contracts, and full appointing authority for the program, including labor relations and personnel decisions.

Partnering closely with agency leadership, the Commission, tribal governments, legislators, and external stakeholders, the Chief ensures coordinated, mission-aligned enforcement services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and public trust.

Among the varied responsibilities of this role, the Chief of Enforcement provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the agency’s law enforcement program.  

Responsibilities include setting policy; overseeing budget, legislation, operations, and strategic planning; labor negotiations; and coordinating law enforcement activities across Fish, Wildlife, Habitat, IT, HR, and Financial Management programs, while building and maintaining strong relationships with Washington Tribes and interstate law enforcement partners.

Ensure that every officer is trained, equipped and ready for the hazards they face. The incumbent is expected to lead by example, be open minded, accessible, possess a high degree of integrity, and be accountable for accomplishing departmental and program assignments while allowing for a high degree of administration discretion in their execution.

Examples of key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Enforcement Program.
• Ensure that Enforcement policies comply with state, federal and other applicable laws and remain current with best policing standards, training and practices.
• Decide on operational and budgetary ability to support incidents and requests from State Emergency Management Services (EMS) related to natural disasters and other emergencies.
• Participate in Senior Leadership training and meetings.
• Serve as the principal expert and advisor for enforcement related issues at WDFW and is a member of the Executive Management Team.
• Build bridges with Program Leadership to achieve a 1DFW approach.
• Prepare and administer the program budget, with assistance and support from central budget.
• Recruit, train and manage work of commissioned and non-commissioned staff through direct subordinate levels of supervision.
• Act as the appointing authority for the Enforcement Program and ensure that employees demonstrate WDFW values and officers uphold their oath of office.
• Represent the agency and the Director in meetings with the Fish and Wildlife Commission, Legislature, members of boards and commissions, various governmental agencies, local law enforcement agencies and a variety of public and private organizations, regarding fish and wildlife hunting, viewing, conflict resolution, and outdoor policing issues.
• Oversee all agency police functions including resource and community-oriented policing, patrol, crime prevention, investigation, dispatch, emergency response, license suspensions and records.
• Direct the investigation of crimes to include coordination with other agencies – assist the Attorney General’s staff and state and federal Prosecutors in the preparation of cases.
• Build and maintain relationships with Sheriffs, Washington State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, and Tribal Enforcement Leadership.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Primarily an office environment, however, may be expected to respond and handle emergent issues in the Natural Resource Building and Capital Campus, and other public safety and law violations while traveling.
Work may include exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations, hazardous materials, and all-weather conditions.

Schedule: Typically, 8:00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
May be required to work extended shifts or be called back to work in emergency situations. 

Travel Requirements: Attend meetings at various sites within and away from Olympia. 

Tools and Equipment: Firearms, Taser, body worn camera, handcuffs, knife, baton, radio, Patrol vehicle, computer, satellite and smart phone. 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, police science, public administration, or a related field or commensurate work experience.

AND ALL of the following: (may be gained concurrently)

• Five (5) years of command or management experience in law enforcement operations equivalent to the rank of Lieutenant, Commander, Captain or higher; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Washington Basic Law Enforcement Training Certificate for equivalent from another state.
• Washington or equivalent Law Enforcement certification credentials.
• Supervisory and advanced leadership certificates.
• Must have a demonstrated background that illustrates their ability to lead a life of public service that exemplifies our core values and is in keeping with the law enforcement code of ethics.  

Background Investigation: 

• Must pass a detailed background investigation, including polygraph and psychological exams as required in RCW 43.101.095 and 77.15.075.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures of police administration to include resource/community policing, natural resource crime investigations, and a high level of service delivery.
• Fish and Wildlife laws, criminal laws, administrative codes, court interpretations, including state and federal constitutions, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure and rules of evidence.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, setting employee expectations, evaluation and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of budget development, administration and accountability.
• Principles and practices of labor law, contract development, negotiations, and application.
• Computer and software applications related to the work.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Agency in contact with governmental agencies, Fish and Wildlife Commission, legislators, community groups and various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations.

Experience and Expectations:

• Planning, organizing, administering, coordinating, reviewing and evaluating a comprehensive natural resource police services program.
• Providing for the recruitment and the professional development of staff.
• Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls for general authority police officers.
• Effectively representing the WDFW Police and the Agency in meetings with governmental agencies, Fish and Wildlife Commission, community groups and various business, professional, education, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials; Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Making effective public presentations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess or obtain and maintain first aid, CPR, firearms, and defensive tactics qualifications.
• The incumbent will be expected to wear a full police uniform, maintain firearm and defensive tactics certification, complete Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) annual mandatory training requirements, and meet the essential functions of a general authority WDFW Police Officer.

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

• A master’s degree in criminal justice, police science, public administration, or a related field.
• Law enforcement command-level certificate from the FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute, Northwestern University Police Command School, or other equivalent training program.
• Supervision or management in natural resource law enforcement.
• Participation in and/or working knowledge of the Fisheries Management Councils, North of Falcon process, Tribal treaty and case law, Fish and Wildlife management principles.
• Participation in State and International Chief and Sheriff organizations, National Association of jobshiringnearme.org Law Enforcement Chiefs, and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
• Knowledgeable about fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation.

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.

Supplemental 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 valerie.rogers@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 valerie.rogers@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-03425.

Know someone who would like to volunteer? WDFW-Get Involved-Volunteer!

Follow us on social media:
LinkedIn jobshiringnearme.org Facebook jobshiringnearme.org Instagram