Wildlife Program Director - EMS Band 4

FULL-TIME/EXEMPT

WILDLIFE PROGRAM DIRECTOR 

EMS BAND 4 - CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT 

Olympia, Washington - Thurston County 

This recruitment will be posted until July 21, 2024 - application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, with the first review on June 20, 2024. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Bring your deep understanding of Natural Resources Management to the Wildlife Program,

Manage comprehensive statewide programs to preserve, protect, and perpetuate the state’s fish and wildlife resources and their habitats.

Guide, lead, and navigate all aspects of the Wildlife Program including,  

• The conservation of 265 species of greatest conservation need.
• Sustainably managing game species pursued by approximately 175,000 hunters.
• Managing over 1,000,000 acres of land for wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.
• Maintaining approximately 450 boat access sites.
• Mitigating wildlife conflict.
• Providing conservation and recreation opportunities on private lands.

As part of the Executive Management Team,

You will provide policy-level management and direction of Washington State's fish and wildlife resources in a manner that is consistent with state and federal laws and the Governor's initiatives for Washington State.

You excel in fostering collaboration and cultivating a strong sense of teamwork, 

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with tribes, governmental officials, agencies, sports groups, non-governmental organizations, and other professional and community organizations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resources, environmental science, biology, or other closely related field.

With all of the following: 

• Five (5) years of progressive management experience in natural resources.
• Two (2) years in a second-level management role, supervising managers who oversee their own teams.  (Second-level management experience can be gained concurrently with the experience listed above). 
• One (1) year of experience with a state legislative process.
• Experience managing a large and diverse budget.

Competencies: 

• Excellent leadership skills with broad experience in natural resource management.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Graduate degree in ecology, natural resources, biology, environmental science, or closely related field.
• Six (6) years of progressive management experience.
• Experience with public administration coupled with legislative and/or executive staff experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the demonstrated ability to forge consensus among diverse advocacy groups and facilitate agreement among numerous diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skill in performance-based management.
• Demonstrated application of advanced principles of management including staff supervision and leadership, conflict resolution, personnel and merit system rules and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, cultural diversity, policy analysis development and implementation, and budget development and expenditures.