Do the words self-motivated, strong leader and problem solver describe you? Are you a seasoned professional who is ready for your next challenge? If so, then this opportunity may be the one for you!  The Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking to find a Manager – South Coast Fishery Policy Lead to join our Fish Program Management Team.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish,  wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable  recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.  Each day WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

Applications will be reviewed and interviews held as qualified applicants are identified, and the position may be filled and the recruitment closed. The first review will be May 29, 2018.  Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Manager – South Coast Fishery Policy Lead (WMS3) position. The position is located in the Fish Program and the duty station in located at the Southwest Washington Regional Headquarters Office at 48 Devonshire RD, Montesano Washington or the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA

The South Coast Fishery Policy Lead is the Fish Program policy lead for the Grays Harbor Basin Salmon Management Policy (C3621) and the Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy (C3622) and is responsible for developing recommending policies revisions for Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) consideration. This position manages the commercial and recreational finfish fisheries in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay consistent with the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), Washington State policies, Federal Court orders and comanagers agreements. This position facilitates cross program and cross regional communication to develop solutions to address Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay fisheries and management issues.

The South Coast Fishery Policy Lead the representative of the Department policies and positions in various decision-making forums, such as State/tribal negotiations for Grays Harbor and North of Falcon (NOF) meetings. The incumbent is expected to ensure that decisions and regulatory actions on fishery management are consistent with ESA, Washington State policies, Federal Court orders and comanagers agreements. The incumbent will coordinate activities and decisions with other agency programs within the Department including Enforcement. Habitat, Director’s Office and Regional operations. The incumbent is expected to interact directly with the Commission for development and implementation of policies concerning fish recovery and management of harvest in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

The South Coast Fishery Policy Lead will develop and oversee the analysis and submission of technical information used in the annual fisheries season setting processes. The incumbent will develop permanent and emergency rules for commercial and recreational fisheries and work with tribal governments to develop rules that are consistent with Department rules and policies.
The South Coast Fishery Policy Lead is the department lead for Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay recreational and commercial fishery advisory groups. Provide written and oral responses to the Legislature, Governor’s office and stakeholders.

• Reports to the Statewide Salmon and Steelhead Manager and is the Fish Program policy lead for commercial and recreational finfish fisheries In Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.
• Represents the department in fisheries negotiations with Tribal comanagers. This position is also the lead spokesperson regarding these fisheries with stakeholders and the public.
• Serve as a key Policy representative in state-tribal negotiations during the North of Falcon and Pacific Fisheries Management Council salmon fishery season-setting process.
• Provide information on the status of populations and fisheries in Southwest Washington for WDFW and other governmental planning and policy teams.
• This is a critical position for meeting the Agency’s resource management mandates related to salmon and steelhead resources, the information needed to manage these species, and permits for fisheries targeting these species.  The position requires constant exercise of strategic planning and critical decision making with outcomes affecting information used to manage over five species and ten races of salmon.
• The position provides and coordinates key information used to manage recreational and commercial fisheries which generate millions of dollars in economic activity in Washington State.  Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position is challenged by budget reductions, the ever-increasing demands of the public, expanding regulatory demands, ESA issues, and scrutiny by the public and legislature.  Incumbent is expected to stick a balance across these competing demands.

Working conditions
Generally 40 hours/wk, M-F from 8am-5pm.  Seasonal evening and weekend work may be needed. Work is typically conducted in an office or meeting group setting.  This position is expected to travel as part of and participate in the Pacific Fishery Management Council and associate North of Falcon salmon season setting process.  Travel to other fishery management meetings, conferences, and/or workshops are also expected periodically.  Extensive external communication and coordination with the public, Tribal Governments and Representatives, other state and Federal entities (NOAA/USFWS) is expected.

Preferred/Desired Education, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and supervisory skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work independently to proactively solve problems and make critical decisions in a fast-paced environment;
• Advanced computer, data processing, and analytical skills, across multiple hardware and software environments;
• Ability to produce and/or evaluate salmon and steelhead run size forecasts, run reconstructions, coded-wire tag analyses, escapement estimates, and exploitation rates relative to conservation objectives;
• Knowledge of:  program management; budget development and management; natural resource management issues; methods of biological data collection, interpretation, and presentation; development of cooperative relationships internally and with other agencies; principles of negotiating; recreational and commercial salmon fisheries; and oral presentations skills to communicate effectively when presenting complex information to professional, technical, and public audiences.
• Expertise in: Treaty Case Law in Washington State; salmon and steelhead life histories; fishery management principles; biometric/statistical analysis; negotiating and developing State-Tribal fishery agreements, Pacific Fishery Management Council activities and responsibilities, and Pacific Salmon Commission activities and responsibilities.

To be competitive for this position, an applicant should demonstrate the following competencies: 
Competencies – Strong skills sets in the following:

Leading People

Human Capital Management: Builds and manages a diverse, talented workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded.
Performance Management: Gives clear direction, sets performance expectations, and holds staff accountable for accomplishing. Takes timely corrective action to improve staff performance issues. Writes effective performance evaluations.
Conflict Management: Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions. Anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
Leverage Diversity: Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
Developing Others: Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
Team Building: Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.

Results Driven

Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
Decisiveness: Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

Leading Change

Creativity and Innovation: Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourage new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting edge programs and processes.
External Awareness: Understands and keeps up-to-date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders’ views; is aware of the organization’s impact on the external environment.
Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
Vision: Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others; acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Influences others to translate vision into action.

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
• A current resume
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

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.  Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.