Title- Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM)
Classification- Environmental Planner 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Region 3
Duty Station- Yakima/Ellensburg, Washington – Yakima/Kittitas County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As the Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager, you’ll collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal entities, navigating technical and socio-political factors to ensure successful policy implementation. You’ll provide strategic direction, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and develop long-term strategies that align with agency goals while driving impactful conservation and habitat restoration efforts.

In this senior-level position, you’ll also play a critical role in statewide policy development, working closely with program leadership to shape initiatives that protect fish and wildlife habitats. Your leadership will be essential in fostering strong relationships across diverse stakeholders, influencing decision-making processes, and delivering collaborative solutions through technical expertise and customer-focused engagement.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager will,

Serve as District Policy Lead and Liaison:

• Assist Senior and Executive Management in identifying those new policies, new direction of existing policies and significant initiatives.
• Work within the Mid-Management Team (MMT) or other identified entity to develop and maintain a consistent state-wide approach to new policies, new direction on existing policies and significant initiatives.
• Serve as Liaison and Policy Lead within the District(s) for projects/issues/processes that are impacted by new or redirected policies or significant initiatives.
• As District Policy lead conduct strategic analyses concerning agency or externally developed policies, redirected policies or significant initiatives.
• Communicate and/or present strategic analysis information to the RHPM for coordination with Senior Management or Executive Management.

Supervision:

• Provides guidance, direction, and information to staff regarding Program/Agency policies, procedures, and directions in a clear and timely manner.
• Works with staff to develop strategic approach to accomplishing goals, addressing issues, and successfully implementing assignments.
• In collaboration with Division staff develops and provides training for regionally based professional staff.
• Provides mentoring to staff to promote and support professional development.
• Works with individual staff and the regional team to provide guidance and direction regarding workload control and prioritization.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment. Field work requires driving in off-road conditions and hiking in remote terrestrial and aquatic environments over rough terrain for short distances (<1 mile) regularly or occasionally over longer distances of several miles.

Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Schedule varies with work season and travel requirements. Occasional evening meetings are required.  Incumbent may work a flexible work schedule subject to supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements: In the field 40% doing ride-alongs, field work, or traveling to meetings throughout the state.  Periods of overnight travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Boots, GPS, waders, rain gear, computer, phone, state-assigned work vehicle.  

Customer Interactions: Agency staff, other governmental agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, special interests, and the public.  

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, or related field and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish/wildlife/habitat management or research, or any environmental or natural resource field.

Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. A master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two years of the required experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Demonstrated skill supervising, leading, and coaching people.
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills in contentious work settings.
• General understanding of various regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA),  and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Demonstrated ability to work within the regulatory environment including reviewing, issuing, monitoring, or complying with federal, state or local environmental permits.

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

Union -  WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov and reference the job number in the subject line.

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