Ecological Services Section Statewide Ecologist
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park
Pratt, Kansas
ESS STATEWIDE ECOLOGIST – Position #K0233810
This unclassified, full-time position in the Ecological Services Division is located in the Pratt Operations Office; and is directly supervised by Jordan Hofmeier, Ecological Services Assistant Director.
KDWP Ecological Services Division administers the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. This is primarily accomplished through research, recovery, and regulatory oversight of nongame, threatened, and endangered species and their habitats. While the primary responsibility of this position is employing regulatory mechanisms and providing technical guidance for habitat conservation, there are ample opportunities to engage in research and recovery efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct ecological reviews and prepare official agency responses for development projects impacting fish and wildlife resources.
- Formulate ecological recommendations to prevent, minimize, or mitigate habitat destruction or degradation with emphasis on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats.
- Act as the department lead for the ecological review of development projects with a specific focus on projects that affect stream and wetland habitats.
- Serve on the Interagency Review Team with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other regulatory agencies to provide technical expertise on stream and wetland mitigation sites.
- Coordinate/conduct field studies to evaluate habitat conditions and population status of nongame and at-risk species.
- Provide professional input related to aquatic and terrestrial resources on interdivisional projects, programs, and special task forces as needed and will provide recommendations on federal/state/local laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to threatened and endangered species, habitat loss/fragmentation, and other topics related to natural resources.
- Coordinate grants and assist with review of species recovery plans as mandated by Kansas law.
- Work with USFWS and state agency staff on Species Status Assessments/federal ESA listings.
Benefits:
- Salary: Beginning hourly wage $35.37/hour
- Health and other Insurance: Immediate group health, dental, and vision coverage and life insurance coverage.
- Retirement and Options: KPERS Retirement plan and optional deferred compensation.
- Paid Leave: Holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and parental leave.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife, or natural resource sciences/management required.
- Two years of experience with stream and wetland ecology, environmental regulations, habitat restoration, and/or wildlife research is desirable.
- The successful candidate must pass a background check and possess/maintain a valid driver’s license.
How to Apply: Go to the State Employment Center at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center and follow the directions below:
- Click in the middle under the Sunflower. From there either Sign into your existing account or Register for a new account.
- Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page. Please make sure to include your email address.
- Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
- Complete and Submit your application.
- Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
- Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
- Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page
The following are the required items to apply:
1) a letter of interest
2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address
3) transcript material (copies of official transcripts or unofficial student copies are acceptable as long as degree is conferred)
4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system
5) an Authorization to Release Information form** (this can be found at the following website):
https://www.ksoutdoors.com/news/KDWP-Info/Jobs/Employment-Application-Additional-Info
**Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.
Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.
Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran” under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum requirements of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the appointing authority. Additional VPE information can be found at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/veterans. Applicants claiming veterans’ preference for the first time must mail a copy of your DD-214 to the Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka KS 66612, or FAX to 785/291-3715.
Disability Hiring Preference: If you are claiming Disability Hiring Preference for the first time, please mail a copy of your supplemental security income or social security disability insurance determination letter, letter from a managed care organization or qualified medical professional attesting to the disability, home and community-based services waiver approval letter, or vocational rehabilitation letter from a vocational rehabilitation counselor. These documents can be sent by fax to (785) 296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed or delivered in-person to ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator, Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson Rm 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612. Visit https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/disabilityhiring-preference for more information.
DEADLINE TO APPLY – September 5, 2025
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
| Category | Ecology, Fisheries, Wildlife |
| Tags | Wetland |
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