Join a mission‑driven team shaping the future of conservation in Tennessee. The Hunting and Fishing Academy (HFA) Manager leads one of the Federation’s most impactful statewide programs—connecting youth, families, and new audiences to the outdoors through safe, high‑quality hunting and fishing experiences.
In this role, you’ll guide a dedicated team across Tennessee’s three grand divisions – East, Middle, and West, oversee program operations from strategy to execution, and build strong relationships with landowners, volunteers, partners, and communities. You’ll have the opportunity to innovate, expand program reach, and directly influence how thousands of Tennesseans experience the outdoors for the first time.
If you’re a natural leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, values teamwork, and wants your work to make a real difference, this role offers the chance to grow a statewide program, strengthen conservation efforts, and help shape the next generation of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Location: Nashville, TN
No relocation assistance provided
To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Responsibilities
Program Leadership and Operations
- Oversee the daily operations of the Hunting and Fishing Academy (HFA), ensuring all events and program offerings are delivered safely, professionally, and in alignment with organizational standards, ethical expectations, and industry best practices.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of statewide program logistics, schedules, staffing, and event delivery, ensuring efficient operations and a consistently high standard of participant experience.
- Contribute to annual program planning by recommending goals, priorities, program enhancements, and resource needs to senior leadership.
- Manage program budgets by monitoring expenditures, approving routine operational costs, tracking spending, and ensuring responsible, mission‑aligned use of financial resources.
- Assess operational processes and implement improvements that strengthen efficiency, safety, participant satisfaction, and consistency across all program activities.
Staff Management
- Supervise HFA field staff across Tennessee’s three divisions – West, Middle, East, providing clear expectations, direction, accountability, and consistent support.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to establish annual goals, performance standards, and work plans for HFA staff, ensuring alignment with program needs and organizational priorities.
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance guidance to strengthen staff effectiveness, address concerns proactively, and support professional growth.
- Identify staff training needs and coordinate or deliver development opportunities that enhance program execution, safety, and participant engagement.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance discussions, offering informed recommendations based on program requirements and staff performance.
Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
- Identify, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with organizations, agencies, and community groups whose participants may benefit from or contribute to HFA programming, ensuring strong and productive relationships.
- Recruit, steward, and manage relationships with landowners who provide access and locations for HFA events, fostering mutually beneficial and long‑term partnerships.
- Oversee participant and stakeholder engagement, ensuring clear communication, positive experiences, and alignment with program expectations and standards.
- Represent HFA in external meetings, presentations, and collaborative efforts, using sound judgment and professionalism when communicating on behalf of the Federation.
Volunteer Management
- Collaborate with Volunteer Manager to develop and manage statewide strategies for volunteer recruitment, placement, engagement, and retention to ensure adequate support for program delivery.
- Strengthen and formalize volunteer management systems, including onboarding, communication, recognition, and long‑term engagement practices that promote consistency and sustainability.
- Provide guidance, direction, and oversight to volunteers—including Hunt Masters and event volunteers—ensuring they understand expectations and contribute effectively to program goals.
Program Materials, Curriculum and Equipment
- Oversee the review, maintenance, and continuous improvement of program materials, curriculum, tools, and resources to ensure accuracy, relevance, and consistency across all HFA offerings.
- Manage program equipment needs, including inventory tracking, condition assessments, maintenance schedules, and procurement decisions within approved budgets to support safe and effective program delivery.
- Ensure all program documentation—forms, guides, checklists, and participant materials—remains current, compliant, and aligned with organizational standards and program requirements.
Communications and Outreach
- Collaborate with the communications team to shape, develop, and refine messaging that promotes HFA and effectively highlights program outcomes and impact.
- Draft, edit, and approve program‑related content for marketing, outreach, reporting, and participant communications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational standards.
- Represent HFA through public speaking, presentations, and community engagement opportunities, raising awareness and building support for the program.
Program Evaluation and Metrics
- Collaborate with the Education Content Manager to collect, analyze, and interpret program data to assess outputs, outcomes, and participant satisfaction.
- Maintain program metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools, using data insights to recommend improvements and inform program planning and decision‑making.
- Support compliance and reporting requirements for grants, partnerships, and internal evaluation processes by ensuring accurate, timely, and complete documentation.
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Support development staff by providing program information, stories, data, and event coordination that strengthen donor engagement, grant proposals, and fundraising initiatives.
- Stay informed on state and national Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) trends and apply relevant insights to enhance program design, outreach strategies, and participant engagement.
- Assist with broader Federation initiatives—including the annual Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) state competition and other mission‑aligned projects—as needed to support organizational goals.
Systems and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date contact records, reporting structures, and source codes within EveryAction CRM to support effective tracking, communication, and program analysis.
- Build, manage, and report on HFA events within the GoOutdoorsTennessee (TWRA) system, ensuring data accuracy and supporting program evaluation, compliance, and planning needs.
Other Duties
- Serve as a visible representative of the Hunting and Fishing Academy, including delivering commission presentations, partner trainings, and program content to educators, community groups, and other audiences.
- Coordinate participant and data management across multiple systems, ensuring accurate, consistent, and efficient information flow.
- Support detailed grant documentation and reporting requirements to maintain compliance and accuracy.
- Anticipate and respond to the operational needs of remote field representatives, ensuring consistent, high‑quality program delivery statewide.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly engage and inspire youth, families, volunteers, and community partners through public speaking, group presentations, and one‑on‑one interactions.
- Ability to effectively train, coach, or teach others in both formal and informal settings.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and execute programs and events.
- A results‑driven professional who leads by example, takes ownership of responsibilities, upholds strong administrative practices, and celebrates the achievements of others.
- Strong work ethic with the ability to reject setbacks and enthusiastically persist until goals are achieved.
- Professional and friendly. Able to handle the day-to-day ups and downs with efficiency, attention to detail, and a sense of humor.
- Ability to work independently and within a collaborative, team environment.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment; Ability to shift priorities quickly and unexpectedly.
- Resourceful and innovative at tackling challenges in a timely manner.
- Approach work from the Federation’s point of view rather than a personal point of view.
- Must have a passion for the Federation’s mission.
- A valid TN driver’s license, including a good motor vehicle record, and appropriate automobile insurance.
- Travel across the State as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; equivalent professional experience may be substitute in place of formal education.
- 5+ years of experience in hunting, shooting, and fishing: experience in camping, hiking, or other outdoor recreation activities is desired.
- Experience in volunteer management, including recruitment, engagement, or supervision.
- Experience in customer service, community outreach, or participant‑facing roles.
- Experience working in a conservation or natural‑resources organization preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Suite, with the ability to learn additional online platforms used by the Federation.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain); Level 1 training preferred.
- No history of game or wildlife violations.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- This job is performed in a smoke-free environment.
- Lead outdoor programs ranging from half-day to overnight events.
- Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors, including traversing rough terrain and working full days in summer heat, inclement weather, or emergency conditions.
- Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds for program events and implementation.
- May be required to sit or stand for extended periods and perform the following physical demands: walking, climbing, some stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching; climbing stairs; significant fine finger dexterity.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours during emergencies or poor weather conditions.
- Ability to operate a safe mode of transportation for events, supply runs, and meetings.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Accident
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- 13 company paid holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s
- PTO (Vacation and Sick Time)
- Fridays off in July and mid-August
EEO Statement
Tennessee Wildlife Federation is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation is committed to workplace diversity.
Ethical Hunting, Angling and Outdoor Recreation Practices
Federation staff know and respect the game and fish pursued in the field and follow all related laws, familiarize themselves with wildlife in the area and behave accordingly. This likewise applies to hiking, camping and other outdoor activities that require responsible use of public resources. As an employee of the Federation, all employees are expected to follow all state and federal hunting and fishing guidelines and practice ethical and fair chase practices while executing or assisting with program events or in your personal outings afield.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- hunting and fishing: 5 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
