See Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Recruit level.

Under the direction of the Chief of the Law Enforcement Program, serves as the field operations executive and advisor. The Deputy Chief represents the Agency and the Law Enforcement Program with internal and external entities. Responsible for the administration, management, and application of a Fish and Wildlife, environmental and general criminal Law Enforcement program and managing a statewide workforce. In the Chief’s absence, the Deputy Chief serves as the Chief and Director of the Law Enforcement Program.

As an executive program manager provides management, supervision and leadership for all enforcement program managers throughout the State ensuring compliance with state and federal law, program regulations and agency policy, and law enforcement best practices.

In partnership with the Chief, develops statewide policies and strategies, properly allocating workforce and budget to meet agency goals and objectives. This position ensures implementation and execution of program goals, agency goals, and statewide agency directives.

Acts as a liaison between and coordinates with the agency Law Enforcement Program, Regional Directors, Program Deputy Directors, and Deputy Directors to implement the agencies mission and the policies of the Director and Deputy Director;

Responsible for the overall administration, management, and application of Fish and Wildlife, environmental and general criminal law enforcement activities of the program;

Works in partnership with the Chief to develop long-term strategic plans and statewide policies and implements strategies to allocate the program workforce and budget to meet agency goals and objectives;

Leads, manages, and directs field captains who oversee day to day operations, with a primary focus on statewide natural resources policing;

Performs an important role during government to government negotiations involving
over 24 Treaty and several Executive Order Tribes;

Serves as a statewide policy coordinator, consultant at federal and local government levels, and networks with private organizations;

Represents the Chief in all matters relative to Program decisions, implementation and public affairs; oversees media relations as the program's chief public information officer related to statewide affairs; develops and implements new public outreach programs and tools;

Works in partnership with the Chief to draft legislation including working with legislators and testifying at legislative committee hearings;

Provides program representation at the Fish and Wildlife Commission on statewide issues to include Washington Administrative Code revisions and primary lead on rule changes including testifying before the Commission during formal rule hearings;

Responsible for the administration and oversite of the Office of Professional Standards which oversees Administrative Investigations of police conduct and acts as the primary liaison with Human Resources on personnel issues and tort claim responses;

Represents the Chief during labor/management communications committee meetings, collective bargaining negotiations and in all aspects of contractual agreements;

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. Applicant 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, Middle Manager Career Level Certification. Must successfully complete the CJTC Level 3: Executive 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 Captain.

Establishment, adopted 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. 80148588 - 44, Protective Service Workers; Positions approved = 1.
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.