WDFW seeks members for the Hunter Education Instructor Advisory Committee

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting letters of interest through May 15 for membership on its Hunter Education Instructor Advisory Committee (IAC).

The group, which represents the nearly 1,000 volunteer hunter education instructors statewide, advises WDFW on issues and opportunities affecting the hunter education program and instructors. Hunter education instructors certify between 10,000 and 13,000 students annually.

"The IAC's involvement has been instrumental in making Washington's hunter education program one of the best in the country," said David Whipple, WDFW hunter education division manager. "The IAC has helped shape the hunter education program and will continue to do so in the future."

WDFW is recruiting current hunter education instructors to fill five positions to serve three-year terms. There is one open position in each of WDFW's regions 2, 3, 5, and 6, as well as one at-large position. The group's bylaws state that at least two advisory group members should reside within each of the six WDFW administrative regions (http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regions/).

All appointees must retain their instructor certification throughout their entire term. The new terms begin on Aug. 1, 2018, and the first meeting with new members of the IAC will be in September, in Ellensburg.

The IAC typically meets four times per year, usually in Ellensburg. Members serve as volunteers and do not receive direct compensation, but mileage reimbursement is provided by WDFW to attend meetings. Members can expect to donate at least 50 hours of their time annually in excess of normal instructing.

Interested hunter education instructors are advised to review information on the IAC webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/heiac/

Applicants for membership on the advisory committee are asked to explain 1) why they want to be a member of the IAC, 2) what qualifies them to be a member, and 3) how they can help the group effectively advise WDFW on hunter education issues and opportunities.

Letters of interest must include contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address, county of residence) and permission for WDFW to conduct a criminal background check. The background check comes at no cost to applicants.

Letters of interest should be emailed to Kris Thorson at Kristopher.thorson@dfw.wa.gov or sent to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Hunter Education Division, Attn: Kris Thorson, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

The application process is open to all certified hunter education instructors. Prospective candidates may be contacted and interviewed by WDFW.