Federal Position Descriptions
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Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had $2.872 million in budget outlays and 8,474 employees.4

Primary Responsibilities

• Exercises the authority of the assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks on any matter relating to fish, wildlife and natural habitats
• Assists in developing and applying an environmental stewardship ethic for our society, based on ecological principles, scientific knowledge of fish and wildlife, and a sense of moral responsibility
• Guides the conservation, development and management of the nation’s fish and wildlife resources
• Administers a national program to provide the public opportunities to understand, appreciate and wisely use fish and wildlife resources
• Enforces federal wildlife laws, protects endangered species, manages migratory birds, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitats (such as wetlands), helps foreign governments with their international conservation efforts and distributes money to states’ fish and wildlife agencies through the Wildlife Sport Fish and Restoration program5

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Subject matter expertise on environmental and wildlife issues relevant to the department
• Prior government experience, either in the agency, in a similar state function or on Capitol Hill

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Political savvy and sensitivity, and ability to work across party lines

Past Appointments
  • Daniel M. Ash (2011 to 2017): Deputy Director for Policy, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Science Advisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior6
  • Samuel D. Hamilton (2009 to 2011): Regional Director, Southeast Region, Fish and Wildlife Services; Assistant Regional Director of Ecological Services; Texas State Administrator, Ecological Services7
  • H. Dale Hall (2005 to 2008): Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service; Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region, Fish and Wildlife Service; Deputy Assistant Director for Fisheries, Fish and Wildlife Service8
AGENCY

Department of the Interior

Mission: The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and affiliated island communities.1

COMPENSATION

Level V $145,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5316)2

REPORTS TO

Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks3

SENATE COMMITTEE

Environment and Public Works

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Footnote
  1. Partnership for Public Service position description
  2. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  3. https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/orgchart
  4. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgDocument.asp?OrgId=-1&LDIBookId=19&LDIOrgId=153436&LDISecId=180&FromRecent=0&Save=1&Position=-1#O153436
  5. OPM
  6. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=473057&Save=1
  7. https://www.fws.gov/OFFICES/pdf/BIO-SamHamiltonFINAL2010.pdf
  8. https://www.fws.gov/offices/H.DaleHall.htm
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