See Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Recruit level.

Under the direction of a Captain, the Lieutenant organizes, reviews, directs and supervises, either in the field or in an administrative posting, the work and training of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers, Sergeants, and Program Specialists who are engaged in the protection of fish and wildlife, habitat protection, prevention of illegal commercialization of fish or wildlife, public health and safety, mutual aid and homeland security to citizens.

Provides management and leadership for all enforcement program activities including developing regional and statewide project plans, evaluating regional or specialized program performance and ensuring compliance with program regulations and agency policy. Specialized programs would include but not limited to: Professional standards and AIS.

Assist higher-level management in performing one or more of the following activities:

• Manages and coordinated the Enforcement Program’s emergency management response program;
• Manages and maintains the Enforcement Program’s personnel conduct accountability program;
• Collaboration and coordination with Executives of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies and the law enforcement agencies of up to 29 federally recognized different tribal nations and tribes not yet recognized by the federal government;
• Manages and ensures adherence to regional and statewide budgets;
• Maintains liaison with local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

Conducts regional or statewide-level agency investigations of Officers, Sergeants, and/or non-commissioned personnel as assigned;

Manages and supervises staff and resources on projects crossing regional, and/or state lines;

Manages grants and grant proposals on behalf of the agency and program;

Manage Aquatic Invasive Species issues with state and out of state partners;

Manages the regional and statewide implementation of the Professional Standards program;

Manages the Statewide Investigative Unit’s activities and personnel;

Attends meetings with Enforcement Program executives and Regional Management Team for purposes of strategic plan, coordination, collaboration and sharing of information;

Participates in management workgroups focused on allocation of resources, policy revision, development, staff compliance and program operations;

Reviews Legislative bills and provides bill analysis;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

The following legal requirements are necessary for positions in this category. Per RCW 77.15.075, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient, unless prohibited by other state or federal law, who can speak, read and write the English language. Applicant must be 21 years of age. Applicants must have valid Washington State driver’s license and acceptable driving record. All positions require successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy or a Washington CJTC recognized basic law enforcement certificate from another state. Must successfully complete the requirements of RCW 43.101.350, First Level Supervisor Career Level Certification.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor’s degree in an environmental field or criminal justice.


Five years of full-time commissioned law enforcement experience as a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Sergeant.

Establishment, adopted 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. 80148588 - 44, Protective Service Workers; N/A.
Salary range adjustment adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.