Job Information
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Safety & Emergency Management Program Director - WMS Band 4 in Olympia, Washington
Working Title: Safety & Emergency Management Program Director (SEMPD) Classification: *WMS Band 4 *Job Status: *Full-Time/Permanent *WDFW Program : Director's Office* * Duty Station: Olympia, Washington -- Thurston County Remote work noted as follows: *This position offers some flexibility in scheduling; however, it requires regular in-office presence to effectively fulfill its responsibilities. *Posting Timeframe: This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until April 24, 2025. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time.
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Lead Safety. Drive Change. Protect People.
At Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), our mission includes safeguarding the people who protect Washington's lands, waters, and wildlife.
We are seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as our Safety & Emergency Management Program Director (SEMPD). A high-impact role responsible for shaping and driving a culture of safety across our agency.
This is more than just a compliance role; it's a leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on collaboration, innovation, and proactive risk management.
The SEMPD will serve as the agency's top safety expert, working directly with executive leadership, staff, and external partners to implement world-class safety standards and emergency preparedness strategies.
In this role, you will:
- Set the vision for agency-wide safety and emergency management programs
- Lead a team of safety professionals to advance policies, training, and compliance
- Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA, state, and federal safety laws
- Develop and oversee WDFW's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
- Advise executive leadership on critical safety decisions that impact employees, operations, and public trust
- Develop process and procedures to stop unsafe operations when necessary to protect employees and resources
- Foster a proactive safety culture through communication, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
This is a career-defining opportunity for a leader who is passionate about protecting people, preventing risk, and ensuring operational resilience. If you have the expertise, leadership skills, and vision to elevate safety at WDFW, we want to hear from you.
What to Expect: Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Safety & Emergency Management Program Director will,
Provide the Executive Management Team (EMT) with real-time safety concerns, safety recommendations, and decisions to establish a safety culture with robust safety processes, expert personnel, and best practices training.
Develop and maintain robust and productive relationships with all EMT members to ensure full implementation of a safety culture throughout WDFW.
Lead and communicate clearly and consistently with the entire agency about safety changes and safety culture.
Lead, grow and support the safety professionals at WDFW
Evaluate field emergency management and safety programs in conjunction with safety managers.
Develop proactive and reactive actions to identify problem areas and ensure emergency and security plans as well as facilities and equipment meet established Federal, State, and local guidelines.
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