Attendees
Present: Emma Ellsworth/Fisheries and Wildlife Board/Chair, Ernie Foster/Fisheries and Wildlife Board/Secretary, Kyla Hastie/Fisheries and Wildlife Board, Tom O’Shea/DFG Commissioner, Johanna Zabriskie/EOEEA Secretariat HR Officer, Melixza Esenyie/EOEEA Deputy HR Officer Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, Allison Richards/EOEEA Strategic HR Business Partner
Staff: Eve Schlüter/Acting Director, Mike Huguenin/Assistant Director of Wildlife, Kris McCarthy/Associate Director of Administration and Finance, Nicole McSweeney/Assistant Director of Outreach and Education, Emily Myron/Assistant Director of Land and Habitat, Todd Olanyk/Central Wildlife District Manager, Alyssa Sciuto/Assistant Director of DER Operations, Jason Zimmer/Southeast Wildlife District Manager
Acceptance of the minutes of the March 4, 2026, meeting
A motion was made by Chair Ellsworth to accept the minutes of the March 4, 2026, meeting of the preliminary screening committee as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hastie; the vote in favor was unanimous.
Discussion of the questions that will be asked of candidates during interviews for the MassWildlife Director position
Commissioner O’Shea discussed the need to develop interview questions focused on the responsibilities and qualifications included in the MassWildlife Director job description. Ms. Hastie acknowledged the importance of including questions that directly highlight how a candidate would perform in the specific responsibilities of the role, and to focus on past experience with those responsibilities. Commissioner O’Shea agreed with Ms. Hastie and added to focus these questions on the primary responsibilities of the role. Chair Ellsworth noted that questions about prior experience should also include challenges faced.
Melixza Esenyie, EOEEA Deputy HR Officer of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, discussed the importance of including questions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the recruitment process. Ms. Esenyie further emphasized the importance of DEI in the overall recruitment process and shared the various DEI-focused job boards that would be utilized in advertising the job posting. Commissioner O’Shea confirmed the importance of maintaining a focus on DEI throughout the outreach and selection process, and also noted that the outreach would be national to ensure a strong candidate pool.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Chair Ellsworth made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hastie, and the vote in favor was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Richards
EEA Strategic HR Business Partner
List of documents presented to the subcommittee in its meeting packets
Draft minutes from the March 4, 2026, meeting
Job Description for the MassWildlife Director position