Salary: $4,842.00 – $6,510.00 Monthly
Location: Grant County – Ephrata, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Closing Date: 8/27/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

HUNTER EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
 COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST 4
Public Engagement Division – Hunter Education Section
*Ephrata, Washington – Grant County 
*The position’s area of coverage for regional responsibilities includes all of Region 2, which encompasses Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties.

Build partnerships with the public, conservation groups, and other agencies while fulfilling the Department’s mission to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. Serve as a primary point of contact and developing and implementing strategies to support staff, volunteers, educators, and the public participating in five major areas of WDFW work:

• Hunter education
• Master Hunter Permit Program
• Hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3)
• Volunteer coordination
• Conservation education

Picture yourself, leading and coordinating cross-integration of appropriate hunter education and conservation education principles into various outreach and education arenas.

In this dynamic role, work independently within program, and with agency staff, advisory groups, volunteers, WDFW enforcement officers, state/federal/Tribal organizations, non-profit organizations, landowners, and the public to ensure stability and integrity of the five major areas of work at the regional level.

With your experience, coordinate and communicate with staff in the Hunter Education/R3 Section, Communications and Public Engagement Division, and Region 2 including the Region 2 Management Team relative to the five major areas of work at the statewide and regional level.

The optimal applicants, have experience developing and implementing training opportunities, and teaching and designing both classroom and field classes using a variety of teaching modalities.

Duties
Here is some of what you’ll do: 

• Serve as the statewide lead, responsible for developing and coordinating cross-integration, implementation, and refinement of appropriate elements of conservation education into the hunter education program, and vice-versa.
• Serve as the statewide lead for the National Hunting and Fishing Day outreach event when the event occurs in Region 2.
• Supervise, coordinate, and assist volunteer hunter education instructors in successfully implementing the hunter education program within Region 2, consistent with policies and procedures.
• Conduct Region 2 hunter education instructor inventory verification.
• Recruit, train, and certify new hunter education instructors using structured training and certification during the pre-service training process.
• Independently host or help coordinate Region 2 outreach and education events such as hunting clinics, mentored hunts, and other outreach and education events.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate volunteer opportunities and activities including volunteer recruitment, screening, management, recognition, and reporting within Region 2. 
• Work with WDFW staff in Region 2 to help identify volunteer projects, such as: 
  1. Master Hunter Permit Program projects
  2. Citizen/Community Science projects
  3. Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) projects
  4. Conservation education projects
  5. Projects funded through State Wildlife Grants and the sale of Personal License Plates
  6. Region 2 priority projects on Department-managed lands
  7. Coordination of activities in CERVIS (online volunteer management software) for volunteer projects

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Duties are to be performed in an office setting (Region 2) and working in the field. 
  • Position has frequent periods of strenuous physical activity and must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds at a time, generally over mild terrain and loading/unloading pickup trucks and utility trailers.  
  • Work settings are associated with facilitating volunteer projects, Hunter Education field courses, outdoor range instruction/live-fire, managing supplies and equipment, and hunter education teaching team evaluations.
• Schedule:
  • Position will work 40 hours per week, but the schedule may vary to include evenings and weekends to accommodate schedules of volunteers, events, etc.
• Travel Requirements:
  • This position manages a large geographic area and long drives and overnight stays are required to effectively reach and supervise volunteers and volunteer projects. 
  • Individuals in this position may be required to attend conferences, workshops, outreach and education events, or assist with WDFW approved volunteer training exercises throughout the state and occasionally out of state.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Computer hardware and software, WDFW issued vehicle, hunter education utility trailer, WDFW assigned hunter education firearms and bows, general volunteer equipment such as shovels, power saws, axes, and other volunteer training equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Position will routinely be working with the public, professional staff, WDFW staff including headquarters and regional staff and enforcement officers, certified Master Hunters, certified hunter education instructors, other state/federal agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, and individuals interested in providing volunteer service. 
  • In some situations, constituents may be frustrated, and the position will need to be skilled at diffusing such situations in a professional manner. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s or higher degree in wildlife management, education, environmental, natural, or physical science, communications, or related field, AND four (4) years professional experience involving wildlife management, environmental or community education or outreach, environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, or communications activities, 

OR 

• Equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for the education requirement if that experience is in one of the fields listed above.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE: 

• Experience and knowledge of firearms, hunting, and hunting equipment. 

• Experience working independently and positively interacting with the public and volunteers without direct supervision.

• Experience being responsive to high internal and external demands for coordination and communication, and to implement agency direction to deliver high quality work products.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience to solve complex issues and concerns positively and constructively.

• Experience in handling public complaints and questions in a professional, diplomatic, and positive manner.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• 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 the 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.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship.  
• Certification as a Washington Hunter Education instructor (or the ability to obtain such certification within 3 months of employment).
• Passing a criminal background check.
• No prior arrests, convictions, or pending legal proceedings related to sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, or that preclude the possession or handling of firearms.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles into work and working with multicultural communities. 
• Experience teaching best practices in education and curriculum design. 
• Experience working with and managing volunteers, especially hunter education instructors, Master Hunters, and other natural resource volunteers.
• Certification as a Washington hunter education instructor or experience working with the hunter education program.
• Certification as a Washington Master Hunter or experience working with the Master Hunter Permit Program.
• Experience working as a natural resource volunteer.
• Knowledge and experience of fishing and outdoor recreation.
• Possession of a Federal Firearms License (FFL). 
• An understanding of navigating through state government policies, procedures, rules, and laws.
• Spanish language capabilities.

Application

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• 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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4143556/hunter-education-and-volunteer-coordinator-coees4-permanent-09798-23