Wildlife Conflict Supervisor - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2025-07744
Working Title- Wildlife Conflict Supervisor
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program - Region 1, Colville District
Duty Station- Colville District Office - Colville, Washington - Stevens County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Be a central figure in implementing strategic statewide policy and directing operational functions for the WDFW region addressing deer, elk, and turkey damage to agricultural crops and private property; and in working with the ranching community to mitigate and minimize wolf/livestock conflict by deploying wolf deterrence measures for an increasing and expanding wolf population.
In this dynamic role, you will lead a team of Wildlife Conflict Specialists and Technicians in the Colville District responding to landowner complaints and concerns. You will work with WDFW Enforcement staff and local government to respond in a coordinated manner providing outstanding public service.
We are seeking a candidate with strong collaborative leadership skills and an interest in resolving calls for service from the public related to wildlife conflict, injured wildlife, and nuisance wildlife, you will develop and foster relations with local county governments.
WHAT TO EXPECT -
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
Supervise, manage, assign, direct and evaluate the work of Wildlife Conflict staff.
- Supervises and mentors technical and professional level staff in order to support an effective, motivated team.
- Sets goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met.
- Monitors and inspects work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work.
- Develops the Performance Development Plan (PDP) for each assigned employee within unit; creates or updates position descriptions; monitors and documents employee performance; provides on-going feedback regarding levels of performance, and conducts timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations.
- Manages personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc. in a positive manner for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
- Develops and implements staff training and development plans to provide cross training of employees, specific job-related training and other approaches to provide opportunities for staff flexibility and development.
- Participates in team meetings, communicates status of ongoing projects and/or job tasks, and coordinates work schedule with team for maintaining open communication.
- Responsible for planning and maintaining work systems, procedures, and policies that enable and encourage the optimum performance of its people and other resources within the unit.
- Observes and assesses the state of equipment upkeep and maintenance. Identifies needs for upgrade or repair and communicates those needs to staff.
- Monitors activities for compliance with federal or state safety laws and regulations, as well as agency policy and procedure regarding safety.
- Develop and maintain a cohesive team environment that supports collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
Conduct and/or assist staff with field activities associated with Wildlife Conflict Mitigation.
- Field investigations of livestock injuries or mortalities.
- Field investigations of agricultural crop damage.
- Field investigations associated with bear/human interactions.
- Recommending and/or implementing mitigation measures to reduce wildlife conflict.
- Use an agency-issued firearm to euthanize animals.
- Lead staff in consistent documentation of field investigations, recommendations and implementation of non-lethal measures.
Negotiate agreements with other state agencies, local governments, and stakeholders. Tracks Division spending plans, and expenditures. Negotiates wildlife conflict issues with other agencies, businesses, public, tribes and programs within the agency. Recommends changes in Landowner Services Division and Region 1 organization, staffing and/or funding. Commits Program staff and/or funding to unplanned activities.
- Communicates orally and in written documents, agency and Wildlife Program goals, policies, procedures to staff and interested parties (e.g. co-managers, stakeholders, agencies, regulatory entities, etc.).
- Represents the agency in technical or policy forums, and other public settings (i.e. U.S. Forest Service, Local Cattlemen Association meetings.
- Coordinates and communicates regularly with the Detachment 11 Enforcement Sergeant.
- Coordinates and communicates regularly with the Stevens County Wildlife Specialist. Assists with implementation of the WDFW/Stevens County MOU.
- Writes regular reports summarizing Wildlife Conflict activities.
Communication and Operational/Administrative compliance.
- Organizes and conducts After Action Reviews (AARs) of high-profile livestock or crop damage investigations in District 1.
- Use the Spillman-Flex system to record, track, and share activity data on wildlife conflict response.
- Conducts supervisor review on Law Incident Report (LIR) in the Spillman-Flex system.
- Organizes and facilitates regular meetings of the District 1 Wolf Team during livestock grazing season.
- Co-leads with State Wolf Biologists the development of individual lethal removal recommendations for submission to the Region 1 Director.
Budget Management.
- Work with budget analyst, supervisor, HQ Wildlife Conflict Section and others as needed to ensure an optimum operations and maintenance budget is attained for D1 conflict staff.
- Enter contracted or grant budgets, in timely and accurate manner, into Novatus or equivalent system. Monitor current and future projects expenditures to comply with the approved budget. Account for deviations from projection.
- Make recommendations and funding requests to HQ Wildlife Conflict Section when additional damage mitigation tools or resource needs are identified.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Work -75% of time at meetings conducting general management and coordination activities or in the office reviewing or creating documents, writing memos, responding to email, answering phone inquiries. In the field -25%, occasionally in rough weather conditions, traveling throughout the region or participating in evening meetings. Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard 8am to 5pm workday. Will require travel across the state for meetings, developing and fostering partnerships and showcasing the private lands and wildlife conflict programs. Office hazards repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Schedule: Typically, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Often includes long and irregular hours to include evenings and weekends as determined by business needs and emergent issues.
Travel requirements: Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard workday.
Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with the public, private landowners, hunters. employees from within and out of agency, to include Federal, State and Local Municipalities. Private landowners are often frustrated, agitated and/or uncooperative due to negative or challenging perceptions and previous interactions with wildlife.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
And
A combined total of at least two (2) years of professional experience in/with one or more of the following:
- Supervisory or program management to include skills in leadership, conflict resolution, cultural diversity, fostering a positive and effective working relationship among staff, and motivating and providing vision for a staff.
- Advanced knowledge of principals of wildlife management, wildlife conflicts, and damage to property or livestock.
- Communicating clearly and concisely across managerial, professional, and legislative levels in both oral and written form.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.
- Ability to pass background checks and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.
- Must be willing to euthanize animals.
Option 2: Bachelor's Degree in a natural resource science or related field, and five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research. Please note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
And
A combined total of at least two (2) years of professional experience in/with one or more of the following:
- Supervisory or program management to include skills in leadership, conflict resolution, cultural diversity, fostering a positive and effective working relationship among staff, and motivating and providing vision for a staff.
- Advanced knowledge of principals of wildlife management, wildlife conflicts, and damage to property or livestock.
- Communicating clearly and concisely across managerial, professional, and legislative levels in both oral and written form.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.
- Ability to pass background checks and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.
- Must be willing to euthanize animals.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Three (3) years or more of professional experience:
- Supervising professional staff.
- Developing, managing, and administering complex budgets.
- Experience with planning and public policy formulation.
- Conservation focused wildlife conflict and wolf conservation.
Two (2) years of professional experience in:
- Policy analysis development and implementation.
- Budget development and management.
- Strategic planning and implementation.
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 (3) 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 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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.govand reference job number/title from the top of this posting.