WILDLIFE MANAGER 4 - 10122023-51475

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES, HAMBLEN COUNTY

This is an on-site position.

The working title for this position is Regional Fisheries Program Manager.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries management, wildlife and fisheries biology, or other related acceptable natural resources management fields and experience equivalent to four years of increasingly responsible full-time professional wildlife, fisheries or related natural resources work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work credit received from an accredited college or university in wildlife and fisheries management, wildlife and fisheries biology, or other related acceptable wildlife management fields may substitute for the required experience on a month-for-month basis to a maximum of one year (e.g., 36 graduate quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of required experience).

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class:

• May be required to have a valid motor vehicle operator's license for some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions. For Executive Service positions, Minimum Qualifications, Necessary Special Qualifications, and Examination Method are determined by the appointing authority.

Summary

Summary: Under direction, is responsible for professional management work of average difficulty assisting in directing wildlife management activities and personnel in a large region of the state or wildlife/fisheries planning, research, and environmental staff work in the comprehensive planning and review of statewide wildlife and/or fisheries management programs; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the regional program manager for wildlife or fisheries management or environmental services or the staff planning specialist level in the field of wildlife/fisheries management and conservation program planning. An employee in this class assists in planning, supervising, and coordinating the management of wildlife/fisheries/environmental services activities and the enforcement of agency rules, regulations, and policies in an assigned region or plans, develops, coordinates, and administers comprehensive wildlife/fisheries/environmental services programs involving long range planning, research studies, and environmental impact factors. This class differs from that of Wildlife Manager 3 in that an incumbent of the latter coordinates wildlife/fisheries management in a large geographic area or wildlife biological management on a statewide or regional basis. This class differs from that of Wildlife Manager 5 in that an incumbent of the latter supervises the Wildlife Manager 4.

Responsibilities

Analyzing Data or Information:

• Anticipates possible operational and strategic problems through the interpretation of data analyses, professional experience, scientific knowledge, and public input.
• Combines data analyses with professional experience, scientific knowledge, and public input to make recommendations for agency action.
• Analyzes data gathered by field personnel at a strategic and operational level to inform decision making.
• Ensures project relevant data is collected and appropriate analyses are conducted.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

• Incorporates last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
• Delegates tasks to assigned subordinates based on the competencies they possess to ensure sufficient space to engage in supervisory work and ensure that personal workload is completed efficiently, accurately, and timely.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

• Identifies work and program priorities to ensure the most important work is completed first based on work experience, supervisor guidance, and departmental, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Identifies program logistical needs in order to operate efficiently.
• Identifies circumstances and events that may be relevant to program objectives to inform operational and strategic decision making.
• Identify proposed legislation, policies, rules, social movements, and public opinions that may affect agency operations to determine compatibility with current agency program goals.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:

• Administers first level disciplinary actions in accordance with guidance from HR.
• Mediates disciplinary actions of assigned subordinates.
• Serves as a mediator for assigned subordinates and peers to upper management personnel.
• Maintains a respectful and productive work environment within the assigned work unit to minimize disputes and facilitate performance.
• Assists assigned subordinates in resolving programmatic problems to enhance development and team performance.
• Develops stretch assignments for assigned subordinates to enhance cross-training and strengthen the work team.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Represents the TWRA in a variety of inter- and intra-organizational settings to foster relations with program stakeholders.
• Develops partnerships with other agencies and organizations to improve and simplify operations.
• Networks with other agencies and organizations to assure that operational and programmatic activities receive early concurrence and input from regional and statewide authorities, and to ensure that program goals are successfully pursued and achieved.

Staffing Organizational Units:

• Conducts interviews with job candidates to identify those who will best fit with the organization's culture.
• Reviews applications and resumes of job candidates to identify candidates for interview.
• Provides hiring and salary recommendations to agency leadership and HR based on the results of interviews.

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

• Develops possible response strategies to potential problems with assigned programs, agency directives, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Develops clear and measurable strategic plans and objectives for programs within assigned region.
• Determine project objectives based on budget, scope, logistics, available personnel, etc.
• Create performance plans based on SMART formula to guide employee performance and ensure successful work outcomes.
• Develops strategies and objectives for assigned program areas to enhance performance and improve organizational efficiency.
• Develop project proposals based on field orders, strategic plans, resources, and other needs.
• Develops budget proposals for special projects within their area of responsibility.
• Assists with the development and periodic review of all agency directives, policies, procedures, and protocols as needed.
• Consults with others during the operational and program planning process in order to effectively utilize their expertise.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

• Assesses assigned subordinate work behaviors, competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities for succession planning, talent management and retention purposes.
• Assesses the quality and importance of suggestions provided by subordinate staff to determine priority of tasks or limitations to achieving objectives.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:

• Makes recommendations for revisions to state natural resources programs based on the review of current, new, or revised policies.
• Makes recommendations for changes in operations which affect the economy, efficiency and quality of agency operations and services.
• Makes recommendations on human resources actions such as employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, retention, and increases for outstanding performance to assigned supervisor.
• Develops proposals related to laws, rules, and regulations governing natural resources program activities for legislators, municipalities, and other entities.
• Provides recommendations to supervisors on issue resolution and project needs.
• Provides professional advice related to TWRA operations as required.
• Advises peers and/or assigned subordinates on proper departmental procedures related to the accomplishment of their daily workload.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Interprets a variety of current agency and external rules and/or laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and documentation for stake holders, partners, and internally to facilitate understanding, enhance communications, and ensure compliance.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

• Projects budget needs of proposed program or operational changes to establish appropriate funding and implementation guidelines.
• Projects external staffing and timelines needed to complete project to meet the strategic plan of the department.
• Determine research needs for current projects to meet the strategic plan of the department.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:

• Plans and coordinates the activities of assigned subordinates who oversee various programs to ensure that operational and strategic priorities are met, and conflicts in scheduling and responsibility do not arise.
• Aligns work unit operations with the goals of the agency, strategic plan, and other applicable regional and national plans.
• Coordinates meetings, events, and other special projects as required to ensure availability, attendance, and coverage.
• Coordinates with upper management, peers, and assigned subordinates to facilitate equitable workload dissemination.
• Coordinate with external entities to fulfill identified research needs.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Generates a variety of reporting and plans, including but not limited to annual budget reports, project accomplishment reports, grant reports, quarterly reports, monthly activity reports, Information and Education Annual Reports, program management plans, strategic plans, special legislative reports, and external reporting as required.
• Documents behaviors that warrant disciplinary actions in accordance with guidance from HR.
• Completes and submits performance review documents for subordinates accurately and promptly.
• Continually documents the performance of assigned subordinates to ensure accurate and unbiased performance evaluations.
• Documents information provided during meetings and training when serving as the sole agency representative to ensure accurate information is disseminated to others.
• Documents and stores employee information in electronic databases and/or physical form for employees as required ensuring accurate information is recorded in the employee's records.

Selling or Influencing Others:

• Promotes requests for resources to agency leadership to ensure programs receive sufficient support.
• Advocates benefits, internal initiatives, and process changes to employees and agency leadership during the course of training and communications to facilitate adoption and enhance investment.
• Makes presentations to civic groups, sports groups and clubs, and the general public concerning wildlife and boating activities and programs in order to promote agency programs and provide information.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

• Ensure availability of resources to successfully implement assigned projects.
• Develops implementation plans based on knowledge, experiences, skills, best practices and targeted research to address strategic goals and agency needs.
• Sets priorities within project plans to ensure work is completed in accordance with the needs of the organization.
• Shifts priorities within project plans to accommodate changes to the work environment, organizational needs, and other relevant factors.
• Submits grant and contract proposals.
• Manages grants, contracts, and agreements.
• Provides direction to assigned subordinates on project implementation and work priorities.
• Develops policies, procedure manuals, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, form letters, memos, database queries, position advertisements, logs, and other systems as required to facilitate accurate data gathering, tracking, training, and dissemination.
• Participates in the agency, local, regional, and national planning initiatives for their assigned area.
• Ensures that subordinate staff conducts safety inspections of assigned areas of responsibility and assigned facilities and equipment to meet regulatory requirements.
• Incorporates departmental, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies into team best practices and standard operating procedures for efficiency and compliance purposes.
• Develops process improvement suggestions to streamline workflow and improve process cycle times and accuracy.
• Maintains a comprehensive approach to assigned projects during planning and execution.
• Organizes and prioritizes personal workload using calendars, lists, and other facilitators to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Performs public contact and liaison work in explaining and interpreting programs for sports associations, civic clubs, other state and federal agencies, and the general public.
• Appears on radio programs, TV shows, and writes articles for publication as required to discuss and promote wildlife agency objective.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

• Monitors budget documents, grants, and other relevant financial data to financial stability and efficiency.
• Monitor project progress to ensure compatibility with and accomplishment of agency goals and objectives.
• Monitors group and agency cohesion and morale to ensure goals and objectives are accomplished.
• Monitors legal and regulatory environment as it relates to the assigned area of responsibility to stay abreast of possible changes and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Monitors monthly budget reports to identify irregularities.
• Monitor policies, laws, rules, regulations, permits, and other legal documents to insure agency concerns are adequately addressed.

Coaching and Developing Others:

• Conducts and approves performance evaluations for assigned subordinates.
• Mentors assigned subordinates by providing feedback and information on how to most effectively and efficiently perform their assigned tasks.
• Addresses and/or recognizes the performance of assigned subordinates appropriately in accordance with established policy.
• Provides coaching to subordinate leaders on appropriate performance management techniques in accordance with recommendations from agency HR.
• Provides informal performance feedback advice to assigned subordinates to assist with personal and professional development.
• Coaches assigned subordinates through the use of stretch assignments to develop bench strength and talent management.
• Identifies training and developmental needs of assigned subordinates.
• Encourages subordinates to participate in professional organizations relevant to area of responsibility.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Review and approve subordinate administrative actions including but not limited to performance evaluations, expense requests, procurement card purchases, and time and labor for subordinates.

Getting Information:

• Gathers information about current field conditions, project progress, outstanding issues, and other relevant topics to obtain an accurate picture of what is happening in the field.
• Notes information provided by a variety of sources to include emerging research and trends, emails, phone calls, social media, etc., to evaluate issues to assist in the decision-making process.
• Participates in meetings, conferences, workshops, and other events in order to gather information regarding agency operations and be able to stay at the forefront of developing knowledge.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Reviews disciplinary actions executed by assigned subordinates to ensure that they are administered in accordance with agency policy and Department of Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Assures that program operations and projects are properly implemented meet the goals and objectives of the agency.
• Evaluates employee work outcomes to ensure that goals, tasks and responsibilities are completed in compliance with policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.
• Evaluates program budget recommendations to identify expansions, improvements, overtures, and appropriations.
• Assures assigned subordinates are completing tasks on time and within assigned performance standards.
• Assures that budgets are properly justified and submitted complete and in a timely manner with properly coded expenditures.
• Assures that all agency directives, policies, procedures, and protocols are adhered to.
• Evaluates workflow to identify reallocation needs and opportunities.
• Reviews field activity reports, survey data records, financial documents, administrative reports, and correspondence.
• Reviews staff reports, performance review documents, and other submitted documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Acts as regional safety officer to ensure all OSHA safety standards are maintained.
• Assures that assigned subordinates submit electronic and paper reports as required accurately and promptly.
• Assures that inventory control is properly executed within assigned program areas in accordance with agency rules and state policies.

Thinking Creatively:

• Participates in brainstorming sessions to develop process streamlining initiatives and improve business practices.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Conducts literature reviews of relevant scientific and professional publications to maintain a current knowledge of their area of responsibility.
• Ensures all required licensure and certifications are maintained in accordance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Actively seeks out opportunities for professional development within and outside the agency.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge base to inform professional development decisions.
• Attends and participates in appropriate workshops, meetings, and conferences to maintain a current knowledge of the field.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Continually communicates with all levels of organizational hierarchy to ensure awareness of, gather information on, and coordinate responses to ongoing issues, programs, and needs.
• Assists assigned subordinates in coordinating program activities with regional field personnel by reallocating resources and directly participating as necessary.
• Notifies supervisory personnel of possible violations of departmental, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Represents regional work group interests during organizational decision-making process.
• Provides constant feedback to keep supervisor informed of issues within assigned area of responsibility.
• Refers program-specific inquiries to the appropriate program coordinator to ensure accurate and timely answers are provided.
• Actively participates in events, conferences, meetings, and other communications to facilitate information gathering and sharing.
• Disperses pertinent information to assigned subordinates, supervisors, and peers to enhance workers' overall knowledge base.
• Provides budget reports to assigned subordinates to facilitate communication and understanding.
• Supervises assigned subordinates in the development of training programs and in-service training for employees.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Action Oriented
• Building Effective Teams
• Comfort around Higher Management
• Decision Quality
• Delegation
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity and Trust
• Managerial Courage
• Motivating Others
• Organizational Agility
• Priority Setting
• Problem Solving

Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the following natural resources management specialties, as required by the position: wildlife or fisheries biology, ecology, forestry, wildlife and fisheries habitat management, and associated fields
• Intermediate knowledge of leadership techniques and best practices as they apply to mid-level management and/or multi-team coordination
• Intermediate knowledge of natural resource management related policies, processes, rules, procedures, and budgeting
• Intermediate knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines related to natural resources management
• Basic knowledge of resource allocation best practices
• Basic knowledge of chemistry, geography, geology, physics, statistics, mathematics and other scientific disciplines as they are applied to natural resources management
• Basic knowledge of applied personnel and human resources best practices as they relate to mid-level management
• Basic knowledge of traditional and social media applications for education, advertisement, marketing, and publicity
• Basic knowledge of office productivity and word processing software used by the agency (Microsoft Office)
• Basic knowledge of statistical and scientific analysis programs used by the agency (e.g. SAS, SPSS, GIS, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of customer service best practices
• Basic knowledge of the equipment used in natural resources management

Skills:

• Advanced skill in the application of scientific principles and theories related to natural resources management
• Advanced time management skills
• Advanced long-term planning skills
• Intermediate monitoring skills as they apply to project management
• Intermediate reading comprehension skills
• Intermediate skill in the translation of technical documentation, scientific trends, and other program specific information into a format that can be understood by a variety of different audiences
• Intermediate public speaking skills
• Intermediate writing skills
• Intermediate organizational and program coordination skills
• Intermediate judgment and decision making skills
• Intermediate work systems analysis skills
• Intermediate work systems evaluation skills
• Intermediate skill in management of material resources
• Basic skill in the application of learning strategies as they relate to employee training and development
• Basic mathematics skills
• Basic skill with applied statistics
• Basic monitoring skills as they apply to talent management
• Basic coaching and mentoring skills as they relate to employee development
• Basic negotiation skills
• Basic persuasion skills
• Basic financial management skill
• Basic skill in the management of personnel resources
• Active learning skills
• Active listening skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Service orientation skills
• Complex problem solving skills

Abilities:

• Oral Comprehension Ability
• Oral Expression Ability
• Written Comprehension Ability
• Written Expression Ability
• Deductive Reasoning Abilities
• Flexibility of Closure Abilities
• Fluency of Ideas Ability
• Inductive Reasoning Ability
• Information Ordering Ability
• Mathematical Reasoning Ability
• Problem Sensitivity Ability
• Time Sharing Ability

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Fax Machine
• Printer
• Copy Machine
• Motor Vehicles
• Boats
• Firearms
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Two-Way Radios

Other Wildlife Resources program related equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.