Location: Riverdale, ND

Summary of Work

The individual selected for this position will work in the Wildlife Resource Section of the Department's Wildlife Division and be responsible for assisting the District Wildlife Resource Supervisor with the development, operation, maintenance and overall management of District Wildlife Management Areas.

This includes coordinating and managing new developments and routine maintenance work projects in the field like tree plantings, establishment of herbaceous cover, and food plots, noxious weed control, prescribed burning, fence construction and maintenance, water level management and sign installation.

Office responsibilities will include managing WMA lease agreements with local farmers and ranchers, assisting with federal aid work plans and budget planning, annual management plans and other daily administrative duties.

This position shall perform hiring and supervising of seasonal employees, assist with supervision of wildlife technicians, assist with the coordination and response to wildlife depredation issues in the district; and assist the Game Management Section in game surveys (possibly including aerial surveys), management, research actives and disease monitoring.

This position will also assist the Private Lands Section, as necessary, with implementation and delivery of private land habitat and access components of the Department's Private Land Initiative.

This position will provide public educational services as needed and technical assistance with wildlife management principles and practices based on sound biological knowledge and data.

Accomplishment of all these work objectives will require extensive coordination and collaboration with private landowners, contractors, energy developers, other federal, state and private agricultural and wildlife conservation agencies.

Other wildlife management and public information duties may also be assigned as necessary.

Wildlife Opportunity

This position offers a rewarding opportunity to work with a stellar team of wildlife professionals to conserve wildlife and habitat resources and provide public access to enjoy those resources in central North Dakota. Your responsibilities will take you across the diverse terrain and beautiful landscapes the state has to offer, from the rolling prairie pothole region to river bottom woodlands. If you love the outdoors, this is the place for you!

We are looking for a candidate with a passion to help protect, conserve, and enhance the sustainable use of North Dakota's wildlife resources for the benefit of the public now and in the future.

ND Game and Fish Department offers a challenging and rewarding career. It also includes a full range of employee benefits, including 100% employer paid family health insurance, a comprehensive retirement plan, vacation, sick leave (including family sick leave), holiday pay and other great benefits.

The Community

Riverdale is a small, close-knit community where nature, recreation and history come together—and the next adventure is never far away. Located along the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea, Riverdale puts world-class fishing, hunting, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing within easy reach. The Garrison Dam area offers access to walleye, salmon, trout, pike and bass fishing, while nearby public lands provide opportunities to hunt deer, pheasants, grouse, waterfowl and more.

For a wildlife biologist, it’s more than just a great place to work—it’s a place where your profession and passion can naturally overlap. You can step out your door and be surrounded by the landscapes, wildlife and outdoor recreation that make North Dakota special.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology or wildlife management or closely related natural resource science degree and one year of professional work experience with a wildlife or natural resource management agency. A master’s degree in a closely related field can substitute for one year of work experience.

The position requires a working knowledge and experience in the following areas: wildlife management concepts, wildlife habitat and land management practices, habitat requirements for Northern Great Plains resident and migratory wildlife, federal and state agricultural conservation programs, and production agriculture practices.

The individual must possess well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, be highly responsible, be well organized and have attention to detail. Must have the ability to work with private landowners, farmers/ranchers, other wildlife management professionals, wildlife groups, and the general public in a professional manner as a representative of the agency. Must be self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment with the ability to multi-task and balance many work responsibilities at once. Must have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word and Excel).

The individual must have the ability to operate and maintain many different types of farm equipment, grass drills, trucks/trailers, ATVs/UTVs, and other equipment. The individual must have a valid driver’s license, be able to lift at least 50 pounds, and be willing to travel. In addition, the applicant must be capable of obtaining S-130/S-190 basic wildland firefighter certification, a Class A commercial driver’s license, and a commercial pesticide applicators license within the first 6 months of employment.

Requires satisfactory completion of a background check.