Title – Fish Program Deputy Director of Regions
Classification - WMS Band 3 
Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program – Fish Program
Duty Station – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County 
Remote Employment – This position may include occasional telework, at the discretion of the supervisor.
Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until April 2, 2026.  First review of applications will take place March 5, 2026. 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!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as the Deputy Director of Regions for the Fish Program. 

In this role, you will help guide one of the most complex fishery management programs in the nation and shape the future of fish and shellfish management across Washington State.

With the fishing industry serving as a cornerstone of Washington’s economy, contributing more than $2.5 billion annually and supporting over 28,000 jobs, this position plays a vital role in sustaining salmon, steelhead, marine fish, and shellfish resources.

In this critical leadership position, you will provide executive direction for statewide Fish Program regional operations and oversee implementation of federal and state statutes, court orders, Commission policies, and international and intergovernmental fisheries agreements. 

As Deputy Director of Regions, you will guide senior leadership in each of WDFW's six regions, ensure alignment and consistency across regional and headquarters operations, and advance conservation and sustainable fisheries management through strong people leadership, operational accountability, and strategic partnerships with tribal, state, federal, and international partners.

What to Expect-
In this role, the Fish Program Deputy Director of Regions provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washington’s fish and shellfish populations across WDFW's six regions.  Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Representing the agency in international, national, tribal, and other management forums and stakeholder groups as delegated by the Agency Director or Program Director.
• Supervising six Fish Program Regional Managers (with 550 FTEs) in all aspects of Fish Program activities and initiatives.  
• Directing operational functions in budget, personnel, facilities, staff and external communications, outreach strategies, legislative affairs, regulations, and contracts.
• Collaborating with communities, organizations, and stakeholders to develop and implement strategic initiatives to advance the conservation and management of the fish resources of Washington State.
• Developing, inspiring, and leading Fish Program initiatives to create an agile, performance-oriented organization with satisfied, engaged, and motivated employees.
• Planning and directing the work performed by the Fish Program ensuring optimal and appropriate use of resources.
• Effectively facilitating and resolving cross-regional operational issues within the Fish Program, in coordination with the Fish Program’s Deputy Director of Divisions.
• Representing the Program Director at Management Team meetings, on management and legislative committees, and at other functions assigned in their absence.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Working environment is a busy office setting.

Schedule: Overtime exempt and may require work outside of typical business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), including evenings, weekends, or holidays, to support program needs.

Travel Requirements: Some travel within Washington State and occasional out-of-state and overnight travel is needed to attend or participate in various forums and functions.

Customer Relations: Frequent contact with stakeholders, WDFW employees, external agencies, members of the public, etc. Responsible for legislative, contentious issue resolution and leaders of major stakeholder interaction.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible management experience, including:

• At least two (2) years of experience leading at the Division Management level or equivalent scope of responsibility.
• Managing large and diverse budgets.
• Managing large, diverse groups of professional staff.
• Conducting performance-based management practices.

Knowledge of:

• Strategic and tactical planning.
• Principles of Management including staff supervision, leadership, organizational development, conflict resolution, personnel and merit system rules and regulation, policy development and implementation.

Management competencies:

• Strong communication skills both written and oral - communicating issues to the public, legislature, tribes, federal and local governments.
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to make decisions on all aspects of the operations of the Fish Program.
• Ability to work with multiple, diverse groups including but not limited to: Legislature, Tribes, other state and federal agencies, advisory groups, stakeholders, Unions, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and others.

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

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Natural Resources, or a related field.  
• Experience with Washington State government systems, processes, and policies.
• Experience developing and implementing Revised Code of Washington (RCWs) and Washington Administrative Code (WACs).
• Expertise and personal interest in natural resource management.
• Understanding and experience with the government-to-government relationship in Washington State with treaty tribes.  
• Experience working and collaborating with stakeholders, communities, and other government entities.
• Experience working and collaborating with unions.

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 #2026-01342.

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