Regional Fish Program Manager - Region 6 - WMS Band 3

Title – Regional Fish Program Manager, Region 6
Classification – WMS Band 3
Job Status - Permanent
WDFW Program - Fish Program – Fish Program Management Team
Duty Station - Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

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

This recruitment will be posted until September 3, 2024 - 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: Chinook Salmon – Photo Credit: WDFW 

Embrace this leadership role, lead, control, and direct regional operations for fish management and hatcheries activities and projects, including the oversight of staff, budgets, and programs. 

As a valued member of the Fish Program Management Team (FPMT), you will facilitate cross-region and program-wide coordination and communications.

Responsible for making region-specific recommendations pertaining to:

• Fish resource conservation and protection issues.
• Permanent and emergency fishing rule changes.
• Intergovernmental relationships with tribal co-managers, other state agencies, federal agencies, and local government entities.
• Briefing and making recommendations to the WDFW Director and/or the WDFW Commission, as needed, on significant regional issues that have major political or policy impacts.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Regional Fish Program Manager of Region 6 will,

• Manage the Fish Program regional work units. 
• Responsible for analysis of local impacts, interpretation, and implementation of Department and Fish Program policies and procedures in the region.  
• Assist senior managers in the development of agency and program policy, procedures, and regulations while taking into consideration local concerns, conditions, and impacts.
• Responsible for controlling regional Fish Program regional budgets, operations, and allocation of staff resources. 
• Regional lead for development of fishing regulations to protect, restore, and enhance fish and shellfish resources while providing sustainable recreational and commercial harvest opportunities to support regional and statewide economies.

Working Conditions:

Schedule: Overtime exempt, expected to manage time within a typical 40-hour work week; adjust schedule and work additional hours to meet business demands and deadlines.  Telework options may be available. 

Travel Requirements: Frequent travel to meetings in Olympia and to various locations in the eight counties within the region. Occasional overnight travel will be necessary to attend meetings both in-state and out-of-state.

Customer Relations: Continuous daily communication with a wide range of internal and external customers, colleagues, co-managers, and public stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in Fisheries, Natural Resource Science, or a related field of study. 

    AND 

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource management including the supervision of professional staff.

Competencies: 

• Well-developed communication skills, both written and oral. 
• An in-depth understanding of fish conservation and fisheries management principles, Endangered Species Act law, and leadership and administration skills.

Working knowledge of:

• Advanced principles of management including development and implementation of policies/procedures and budgets, teambuilding, supervision, negotiation, personnel management, union collective bargaining agreements, oral/written communications, and leadership.
• Principles of hatchery fish production and fishery management (recreational and commercial).
• Biology and life history of Washington fish species applicable to the region.
• The Fish Program, WDFW, co-manager (tribal), private and public utilities, and other fish/natural resource organizations/partners for effective communication and management.
• State and federal statutes, court orders, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) applicable to fish resource protection, restoration, mitigation, enhancement, fishery management, and hatchery operations.
• Values and perspectives of a diverse group of regional landowners, corporations, environmental organizations, constituent groups, and other fish population, fish habitat, and fishery stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Advance degree (Master of Science, or PhD) in Fisheries, Natural Resource Science, or a related field of study.

    AND 

Ten (10) years of professional level experience, including experience supervising/managing professional staff.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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 spouses of active-duty military personnel 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 RecruitmentTeam@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: 2024-1234 – 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 #2024-08463.

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