Regional Wildlife Program Manager – Region 4 – WMS Band 2 – Permanent – 2026-06637

Title – Regional Wildlife Program Manager – Region 4
Classification – WMS Band 2
Job Status – Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program – Wildlife Program
Duty Station – Stanwood, Washington – Snohomish County
North Puget Sound Region 4 Counties Served – Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom.
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 September 7, 2026. First review of applications will take place August 20, 2026.  Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As the Regional Wildlife Program Manager for North Puget Sound Region 4, you will lead a multidisciplinary team while providing strategic direction and executive oversight to advance WDFW priorities and deliver effective wildlife conservation and recreation outcomes.

Provide leadership and direction to regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish work aligned with the agency’s strategic goals, program directives, and division objectives. Foster accountability, collaboration, communication, and team effectiveness across the program.

Serving as the link between agency administration and field operations, you will oversee four divisions (Game, Wildlife Diversity, Landowner Services, and Lands) and support staff across Region 4. This includes setting clear expectations, ensuring consistency in program delivery, and maintaining accountability across all staff, three Wildlife Area Complexes and over 100 Water Access Areas. 

You will contribute to policy development, program planning, and implementation of new initiatives, while supporting staff through complex and sometimes sensitive issues related to wildlife conflict, lands management, and threatened and endangered species.

What to Expect –

In this role, the Regional Wildlife Program Manager provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washington’s wildlife populations in North Puget Sound, Region 4, some of the key responsibilities include:

• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address Agency Strategic Goals, Program initiatives, and Division objectives.
• Participate as a member in regular meetings for Agency Senior Management Team, Wildlife Program Leadership Team, and Regional Management Team.
• Supervise regional Wildlife Program staff to accomplish tasks that address Agency Strategic Goals, Program initiatives, and Division objectives.
• Develop policies included in species plans and recreational hunting programs that will have regional and statewide significance.
• Manage the Region 4 Wildlife Program budget.
• Negotiate 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.
• Oversee management of Department-owned land based in Region 4.
• Direct biological survey efforts to protect threatened and endangered species and to assess game species status.
• Act as the Wildlife Program contact for legislators and other elected officials in Region 4.
• Develop hunting season recommendations for the region for statewide participation.
• Provide wildlife information to the public and to private entities for personal, legal, and contractual obligations.
• Identify statewide and Region-specific research needs.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed in an office setting. 

Schedule: Work hours are flexible but are expected to occur between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – may need to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs, including working additional hours and attending occasional evening meetings. 

Travel Requirements: Approximately 25% of the time will be spent traveling throughout Region 4 and occasionally outside of the region.

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 professional experience (may be gained concurrently):

Five (5) years of professional experience in/with:

• 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) of professional experience in/with: 

• Supervising or managing staff, including providing guidance, training, conflict resolution, work planning, 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 in/with: 

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

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

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 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.

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 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 #2026-06637.

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