Salary : $110,126.95 Annually
Location : Kittitas County - Ellensburg, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Title - Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM) - South Central Region 3

Classification - WMS Band 1

Job Status - Full-Time/PermanentWDFW Program - Habitat Program Duty Station - Ellensburg, Washington (Kittitas County) is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, Yakima, Washington (Yakima County) may be considered.

South Central Region 3 Counties Served - Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima counties.

Remote Employment - This position may include telework options up to 2 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.

What to Expect -

As our Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM), you will shape habitat conservation outcomes through tactical leadership and management, internal and external collaboration, and influence in shaping new policies and guidance. Key responsibilities include:

Management:

• Provide immediate management, supervision, and guidance of professional Habitat Program staff within South Central Region 3.
• Provide clear and timely communication of agency policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Coach, train, mentor, perform workload planning/prioritization, and performance management in the following areas:
  • Hydraulic Project Approvals, Project Level engagement in Land Use, Forest Practices, and Aquatic and/or Terrestrial Restoration.
• Manage and coordinate the distribution of information and receive feedback from staff and ensure compliance with policy, procedures, and guidance in the above-listed work areas, as well as the following major policy areas:
  • Hydraulic Compliance Actions, Planning level engagement in land use actions, Forest Health and Stewardship, Aquatic and Terrestrial Restoration, Fish Passage and Screening, and Energy and Major Projects.

District Policy Lead and Liaison:

• For new and updated policies, procedures and guidance, work within the Senior Management Team (SMT) to develop and maintain a consistent state-wide approach to implement new and updated policies, procedures and guidance.
• Actively engaged in the SMT to identify issues that are common across regions and/or the state finds broad solutions and support for engagement from the Program Leadership.
• Serve as Liaison and Policy Lead within the cross-program District(s) for projects/issues/processes that are impacted by new or redirected policies or significant initiatives.
• Build and maintain key internal District relationships in order to gain perspective on goals and objectives and work collaboratively in resolving or flagging issues and finding solutions that are mutually beneficial.

Program Strategic Planning:

• Actively engage with the SMT to assist Program Leadership in Program or Agency level short-term and long-term strategic planning.
• Work with Regional Habitat Program Manager (RHPM) and SMT to review and provide feedback and bring regional perspectives to strategic planning efforts.

Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:

Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment. May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, carrying, kneeling, rarely lifting heavy objects such as electrofishers (up to 40 lbs. unassisted), standing in confined spaces, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects/vegetation, and the use of knives.

Fieldwork may also include uneven terrain, biting and pinching animals, possible encounters with wildlife, and at times working independently, in remote locations during the day and at night.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments, walking over rough terrain for short distances (Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with occasional evening meetings and may be called out on weekends, holidays, or after hours for emergency permitting. A flexible work schedule may be considered and is subject to supervisory approval.
Travel Requirements: Frequent travel throughout Region 3and occasional trips to Olympia and other state-wide locations occur which may include overnight travel (about 1-2 nights a month, on average). May be required to operate agency vehicles to transport staff and equipment.
Tools and Equipment: Laptop, agency issued cell phone, Garmin InReach, first aid kit, waders, muck boots, rain jacket/element appropriate clothing. PPE identified in Job Hazard Analysis, including but not limited to: agency approved hard hat, roadside safety vest, personal flotation device, and eye protection.
Customer Relations: Agency staff, other government agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, restoration partners, funders, and the public.
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a related field.

AND all of the following (may be gained concurrently):

• Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research, or any environmental or natural resource field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, leading, and coaching employees, including performance management.
• Working understanding of advanced principles of program/project management, conflict resolution, strategic planning, and working with budgets.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid unrestricted Driver's License.
Please note:

• A Master's degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

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

• Experience building working relationships among various stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills in sensitive 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).
• Experience working 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 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 and other , there are other that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the "Benefits" tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

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