Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager - Region 3 - WMS Band 1 - Permanent - 2026-06506

Posting number: 2026-06506

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: WMS BAND 1

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Environmental Services, Management, Natural Resources, Project Management, Program Management, Wildlife

Summary

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

Classification - WMS Band 1

Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW 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.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Views that Keep you Going – Photo Credit: Kevin Alayo 

Help shape the future of fish and wildlife habitat conservation in Washington!

As the Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager (ARHPM), you will lead a team of habitat professionals responsible for implementing regulatory programs and advancing habitat conservation throughout South Central Region 3. 

This is an opportunity to oversee complex and high-profile projects, work collaboratively with partners to achieve sustainable conservation, and provide tactical leadership on hydraulic permitting, land use planning, forest practices, mitigation, and restoration.

In this role, you will help ensure consistent implementation of agency policies, collaborate with Tribal governments, local governments, state and federal agencies, and stakeholders, and contribute to regional and statewide strategies that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats for future generations.

A landscape image of a lake from a hilltop. Trees surround the lake. Bright blue sky with clouds. Lake looks calm from above.

Photo Caption: Deadwood Lakes – Photo Credit: Joe Tucker   

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 find