Regional Operations Manager - Administrative Assistant 5 - Permanent - 2026-08717

Title: Regional Operations Manager

Classification- Administrative Assistant 5

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Director’s Office – Region 5

Duty Station- *Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

*Hybrid/Telework- This position offers a limited hybrid work schedule, with at least 4 days per week onsite at the Ridgefield, WA duty station and up to 1 day of telework following completion of the training period. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business and facility needs. If approved, the telework day may rotate depending on business needs

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – WDFW logo jack o’lantern – Photo Credit: WDFW

As the Regional Operations Manager, you will oversee facilities and business operations, serve as a key advisor to the Regional Director, and provide a variety of multidisciplinary expertise.

In this role, you will supervise the Customer Service and Administrative Team, manage complex operating and facility budgets, and ensure the continuity of essential administrative functions, including regional safety, emergency preparedness, and disaster recovery.

This is an opportunity to represent the agency on committees and workgroups, drive high-profile policies and initiatives, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Regional Facility Oversight and Management of Business Operations.

• Responsible for the overall management and operations of the regional headquarters facility and supporting operations at other regional properties.
• Act as the project manager for regional facility short- and long-term project objectives; responsible for the entire project management lifecycle.
• Ensure that space utilization and modern work environment standards are met and coordinates access to office resources needed for regional employees to perform their essential functions.
• Represent the region at the enterprise level and has delegated authority to develop, oversee, and manage the operational, administrative, and facility budgets.
• Serve as the project manager in the formulation, planning, allocation, and management of budget for regional facility contracts and improvement projects and coordinates contracted services for all aspects of facility maintenance and improvements, including permitting, construction, data, engineering, maintenance, and security.
• Oversee cash control procedures, reconciliation of petty cash and licensing accounts, and auditing.
• Expert on the implementation of the Department’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• Establish facility security measures, respond to incidents, conduct and/or facilitate investigations, and implement mitigation measures in coordination with the Regional Director to reduce future occurrences.

The primary assistant and key advisor to the Regional Director, and has delegated authority on all financial, administrative, and business needs.

• Support the Regional Director with administrative office duties and prepare regional budget to inform agency wide decision making with consideration to the legislative budget.
• Provide leadership to build and support key agency policies and initiatives while promoting a diverse and inclusive work force.
• Conduct research, analyze, and interpret data, and provide regional perspective on complex issues to generate recommendations to improve cross program and agency wide processes, communication, and organizational change.
• Work with confidential information, critical logistic coordination, and time sensitive calendaring.
• Ensure that external communications adhere to established agency policies.

Supervise and provide leadership, direction, and performance management to a team consisting of regional customer service specialists, and administrative and office assistants.

• Responsible for employee hiring, onboarding, and mentorship.
• Analyze, develop, and implement regionally specific quality improvement processes, to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of services.
• Provide consultations and recommend changes to agency practices to mitigate risks and improve communication with the public.
• Set goals and objectives, develop strategies to implement, and develop performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and cross program performance objectives are met.

Serve as a liaison to agency committees, workgroups, and multidisciplinary teams to implement agency wide initiatives, address varying issues, and resolve conflicting interests. Present findings and recommendations to executive management.

• Attend committee, workgroup, and multidisciplinary team meetings and provide expertise regarding financial, business, and administrative operations, problem solving, and process improvement.
• Serve as the regional representative for the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) as well as emergency response and disaster management.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: The duty station for this position is at the regional headquarters in Ridgefield.

Schedule: This position is full-time. The standard schedule is 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, and will require occasional early morning, evening, and weekend work based on facility, business, and inclement weather needs. Alternative schedules, including telework options or alternate Monday through Friday work hours, may be considered.

Travel requirements: Occasional travel required.

Customer Interactions: This position works collaboratively with the Director’s Office, the Regional Program Managers and Enforcement Captain and their respective staff, to ensure cross-program coordination and communication related to agency business practices. Additionally, this position interacts with constituents, stakeholders, local governments, and co-managers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: High school diploma or equivalent, AND five (5) years of office or administrative experience, or experience closely aligned with essential functions of the position.

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration or closely related field, AND two (2) years of office or administrative experience, or experience closely aligned with essential functions of the position.

Option 3: One (1) year as an Administrative Assistant 4.

Option 4: Two (2) years as an Administrative Assistant 3.

In addition to one of the qualification options above, the following are also required:

• One (1) year leading, supervising, or directing others. 
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Experience:

• Experience and/or familiarity with state government and state agency operations.
• Experience drafting, editing, and finalizing professional correspondence.
• Experience in budget and facilities management, and project management.
• Supervisory/management experience.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team leadership for multidisciplinary project teams.
• Critical thinking, complex analysis, and problem-solving skills.

• 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 (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL 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

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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 Cheri.Potter@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: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-08717.

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