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Director of state Fish and Wildlife Department resigns

Jim Unsworth, four weeks into his new job as director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, met with the regional staff in Spokane on March 2, 2015. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

OLYMPIA – The head of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife is resigning his position Feb. 7.

Jim Unsworth told the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission in a resignation letter that it’s time for him to pursue other professional and personal goals.

The commission’s chair Brad Smith said in a statement Wednesday that the commission, a panel of nine citizens, will name an interim director as soon as possible.

Unsworth said in a statement that it “has been a challenging, educational, and often rewarding experience.”

He was appointed as director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife in January 2015.

He previously served as deputy director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. He holds a doctorate in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho.