Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator - WMS Band 2 - Permanent - 2025-07988

Working Title – Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator
Classification – WMS Band 2
Job Status – Full-Time/Permanent 
WDFW Program – Fish Program 
Duty Station – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County  
Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to four (4) days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.
Posting Timeframe -This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until November 21, 2025.   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!

Photo Caption: Commercial crab pots are stacked during a test fishing trip out of Westport. Credit: WDFW

Help shape the future of Washington’s coastal fisheries.

As the Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator, you’ll lead statewide efforts to ensure sustainable management of Dungeness crab, halibut, groundfish and fisheries.

This role represents Washington in key regional and federal forums, collaborating with Treaty Tribes, partner states, and federal agencies to advance science-based marine policy and protect vital ocean resources.

As a trusted advisor and influential leader in regional fisheries management, this position develops and coordinates policies that shape sustainable marine resource practices along the West Coast.

Representing Washington in collaborative forums, including the International Pacific Halibut Commission, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee, the Coordinator advances strategies that balance conservation goals with economic opportunity. 

What to Expect

In this role, the Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator leads efforts to manage and sustain Washington’s coastal fisheries, with some of the key responsibilities including:

Providing leadership and direction to ensure consistency for coastal shellfish and marine resource management and policy though cooperative management forums. 

Reviewing, analyzing and coordinating agency review and response to work performed on marine resource issues and policy development implementation.  

Prepares analyses, management summaries, and written reports on marine fisheries policy and management activities, and other fisheries, as appropriate.

Leads the development, submittal, and (ultimately) the implementation and monitoring of the Department’s incidental take permit application and conservation plan to address whale entanglements in the coastal Dungeness crab fishery.

Participates on the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee to promote coordination of fishery policy and management issues with the states of Oregon and California.

Drafts and reviews applicable regulations and proposed legislation.

Researches and analyzes management proposals and regulations, including pending legislation, provides presentations and reports to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and multi-agency and stakeholder forums. 

Acts as a delegated representative and central advisor regarding coastal groundfish, Pacific Halibut, and coastal Dungeness crab issues and other fishery management issues, as appropriate.  Recommends actions to be taken on issues and provide solutions to problems.  Provides recommendations on program issues and represents the agency on multi-agency interdisciplinary teams. 

Coordinates with multiple entities, including the National Marine Fisheries Service; the states of Oregon and California; Canada; the coastal treaty tribes; the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary; the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission; other state agencies; stakeholders; non-governmental organizations; and the general public in the development and implementation of policies and regulations for coastal marine resources.

Communicate with fishery participants and stakeholders regarding current federal and state fishing regulations and regulatory actions.

Work with agency staff to develop marine fish research priorities and data collection programs to provide support for resource assessments, management, and enforcement, as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed in an office or telework setting, it involves attending various meetings and managing strict deadlines. 

Schedule: Overtime exempt, expected to schedule time within a typical 40-hour work week, however, may need to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.

Travel Requirements: This position includes West Coast travel, with one- to three-night out-of-state trips approximately three to four times per year and may also require attending week-long meetings several times a year. 

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1

A bachelor’s degree in one of the following:

• Fisheries or natural resources management
• Biology
• Law
• Environmental science
• or related field

And

Four (4) or more years of experience in fisheries management or coordinating policy on natural resource management issues.

Option 2

A master’s degree or higher in one of the following:

• Fisheries or natural resources management
• Biology
• Law
• Environmental science
• or related field

And

Each Option requires proficiency in the following skills and competencies.

• Knowledge of state and federal fishery and conservation laws
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge of resource management principles
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of people and issues and stay focused on the objective

Management Competencies:

• Planning and Organizing:   Coordinates ideas and resources to achieve goals.
• Relationship Building - Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation and mutual regard.
• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of his/her work.  Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.
• Tact and Diplomacy - Responds to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Understanding of managing natural resources for long term sustainability; ability to evaluate and identify scientific, legal, economic, and social dimensions of natural resource issues.
• Demonstrated ability with analysis and presentation of data, basic statistics, and quantitative modeling.
• Knowledge of state-tribal co-management relationship; sensitivity to and appreciation of important issues.
• Experience with federal environmental law and policy processes, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regional fishery management council process, and requirements of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act. 
• Understanding of assessment and monitoring of marine fisheries, familiarity with fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data collection methods.

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.

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 valerie.rogers@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: 2025-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.