See Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Recruit level.

Under the direction of a Deputy Chief, the Captain, as the top authority within a region or division, manages and supervises Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers, Sergeants, Lieutenants and/or non-commissioned personnel 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.

This position makes highly complex, policy-level, in-the-moment decisions with consideration for risk management. The decisions may be high-risk and high-impact and may have statewide implications.

As the top law enforcement official in the region or division, has delegated responsibilities for the development, administration and implementation of assigned Statewide Enforcement programs and initiatives, such as:

• Statewide professional standards for law enforcement agencies established through state law, CJTC, WASPC, and agency regulations and policies;
• Performs as the regional commander of the WDFW Law Enforcement Program, or
• As the division leader at Headquarters for the Office of Professional Standards, Internal Affairs, Recruiting/Hiring/Training, Vessel/Vehicle Fleet & Supply, Communications and/or Emergency Management.

Manages and ensures adherence to regional and statewide budgets;

Manages and coordinated the Enforcement Program’s emergency management response program;

Manages and maintains the Enforcement Program’s personnel conduct accountability program;

Responsible for vehicle and vessel management, aircraft management, special purpose vehicles, equipment and resources, emergency management, radio communications and establishment of statewide fleet standards pertaining to use, maintenance and operational support for Police rated equipment;

Directs and coordinates critical environmental enforcement investigations involving coordination and integration of efforts with Habitat Management Division, Department of Ecology, Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency;

Acts as a lead Enforcement Program’s intergovernmental representative. Maintains liaison with local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies such as Washington State Indian Tribes, Tribes from British Columbia, and the neighboring states of Idaho and Oregon along with other federal, state, county and city governmental agencies;

Collaborates and coordinates with Executives of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies and law enforcement agencies of up to 29 federally recognized different tribal nations and tribes not yet recognized by the federal government;

Negotiates with other governmental agencies for contractual agreements providing agency law enforcement services that enhance public safety, habitat protection and fish and wildlife protection;

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.

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 or Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Lieutenant.

Establishment, adopted 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. 80148588 - 44, Protective Service Workers; N/A; Positions affected = 10
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.