**Working Title: Assistant Area Wildlife Manager** **Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist - Wildlife or Natural Resources Specialist Intermediate - Wildlife** **Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources** + **Job ID** : 88405 + **Location** : Karlstad + **Telework Eligible** : No + **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time + **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited + **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers + **Date Posted** : 09/10/2025 + **Closing Date** : 09/30/2025 + **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources + **Division/Unit** : Fish and Wildlife + **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift + **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday + **Travel Required** : Yes - Occasionally + **Salary Range:** + **Natural Resource Specialist - Wildlife:** $24.42 - $35.43/hourly; $50,988 - $73,977/annually + **Natural Resource Specialist Intermediate - Wildlife:** $26.04 - $37.98/hourly; $54,372 - $79,302/annually + **Classified Status** : Classified + **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE + **FLSA Status** : Exempt - Professional + Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes **The work you'll do is more than just a job.** At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. **ATTENTION APPLICANTS:** This vacancy is being announced at two different job classes at the same time: NR Specialist- Wildlife and NR Specialist Intermediate- Wildlife. Only one position is being filled at the Karlstad Area Wildlife office location. The final classification and starting salary are dependent on successful applicant qualifications. There is only one Job ID for this vacancy, and you will be considered for the highest classification for which you qualify. The DNR is currently seeking an Assistant Area Wildlife Manager in Karlstad, MN. This position exists to preserve, manage, and develop the wildlife resources on wildlife management areas (WMAs), other state lands, and private lands within the Karlstad work area; to gather and provide information and assistance to the Department in formulating sound resource policies; to maintain public hunting grounds for use by the public; and to provide information to the public to enable them to make sound decisions regarding use of natural resources. This position is also to provide assistance to Area Wildlife Supervisor (AWS). There are approximately 74,000 acres of WMA and 23,500 acres of administered state trust fund land (some within WMA boundaries), located in Kittson, southwestern Roseau, and northwestern Marshall Counties. Most of the managed lands are located within the Aspen Parklands ecoregion, with a smaller portion in the Red River Prairie. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with management of northwest Minnesota’s elk herd. They will also assist in all other management activities in the work area including prescribed burning, prairie restoration, oak savannah restoration, timber management, invasive plant control, mechanical brush treatment projects, and wetland enhancement projects. The successful candidate will also assist in WMA boundary management, and various maintenance projects (equipment, campgrounds, trails). Public contact is a major component of all responsibilities Responsibilities include: + Lead the implementation of habitat management, facility development, and maintenance in the Wildlife Area so that wildlife resources and public use are enhanced. Assist with the planning and implementation of wildlife habitat development and maintenance activities, so that the area’s ecosystems are maintained and protected, and desired wildlife populations goals are attained. + Lead efforts to protect wildlife and habitat through habitat evaluation, land acquisition, and environmental review so that healthy and diverse wildlife habitats will be maintained on the landscape. Conduct environmental review programs so that wildlife resources can be preserved, protected, and enhanced, and environmental degradation minimized. Provide information and education to the public concerning resource related topics so that policies, objectives, and responsibilities of the Department are understood. + Lead implementation of wildlife population management programs in a manner that is consistent with the Section of Wildlife goals and objectives. + Effectively communicates wildlife management work and needs to gain public understanding and support for wildlife management programs. Provide information and education to the public concerning resource-related topics so that policies, objectives, and responsibilities of the Department are understood. + Perform fiscal and other administrative activities for the Wildlife Area so that priority habitat and facility management activities are completed according to desired time schedules. Assist with financial and other reporting. Demonstrate accountability to Department personnel and interested stakeholders by adhering to Department policies and guidelines. This job requires the ability to pass a moderate fitness test based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Work Capacity within 6 months of your start date and then on an annual basis. The test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound pack within 30 minutes. **Minimum Qualifications** **Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.** **NR Specialist Wildlife:** + Bachelor's degree in wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis. + Transcript requirement: + A minimum of three (3) courses directly related to wildlife management/biology. + One (1) course in each: chemistry or physics; statistics; communication; and ecology. + At least four (4) additional wildlife or ecology, or related courses, such as animal or plant taxonomy, comparative anatomy or physiology, soils or geology, mammalogy, ornithology, parasitology, etc. **NR Specialist Intermediate Wildlife:** + Bachelor's degree in wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis. + Transcript requirement as described above. + Two (2) years of professional level (e.g., NR Specialist) wildlife or habitat management experience sufficient to implement wildlife and habitat management, facility development, and maintenance duties in a Wildlife Area. **At either level, minimum qualifications must include:** + Ability to become National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualified through completing required coursework and field training within twelve (12) months of hire. + Experience in wildlife habitat management including managing forest, brush land, prairie, and/or wetland habitats for wildlife. + Technical knowledge of wildlife species identification, habitat relationships, food habits, animal behavior, parasites and disease, life histories, and reproductive potential. Along with knowledge sufficient to identify common terrestrial and aquatic plants. + Writing skills sufficient to communicate work programs, project proposals, accomplishment reports, survey results, hunting season data, and correspondence. + Communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate and present complex information to a wide variety of audiences. + Knowledge of development and implementation of project proposals using available, staff, tools, and equipment. + Ability to use various computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, data base, and mapping software. + GIS/GPS education or experience. + Knowledge of how to safely operate, transport, and conduct maintenance on equipment including hand and power tools. Must be able to demonstrate ability, pass all required training, and complete all position task books for (but not limited to) 4WD trucks, trailers, boats, snowmobile, ATV, UTV, tractors with attachments, chain saw, brush saw, and tracked vehicle. **Preferred Qualifications** + Master's degree in Wildlife Biology or related field. + Certified at the Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) level or higher with basic wildland firefighter training completed (S-130 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline, IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System. + Qualified as a: + MFIRB (Minnesota Firing Boss – Minnesota DNR standards) or State/NWCG equivalent. + MRXB3 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 3) or State/NWCG equivalent. + MRXB2 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 2) or State/NWCG equivalent + Knowledge of citizen participation, conflict resolution, and negotiation techniques. + Knowledge of census/survey techniques and their limitations. + Knowledge of hunting and trapping traditions, methods, and regulations. + Field experience with standard prairie restoration/management practices and prescribed burning. + Experience in coordinating wetland management for wildlife habitat with other disciplines or organizations. + Experience in writing contracts for wildlife habitat or facility projects. + Experience in work planning, directing, and supervising contractors or work crews. + Ability to multitask, lead, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. + Certified as a licensed applicator of pesticides for invasive species management. + Ability to fly in small aircraft at low altitudes as an observer in aerial surveys. + Experience with operating farm and other equipment, trucks, trailers, boats, and ATVs, along with basic equipment maintenance and repair. + Experience with conservation grazing + Experience with wildlife food plots. + A working knowledge of other disciplines such as fisheries, forestry, engineering, soil conservation, and hydrology to guide the development of partnerships and projects. **Additional Requirements** This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record. Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status). It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: + Conflict of Interest Review + Criminal History Check + Education Verification + Employment Reference / Records Check + License / Certification Verification AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status. Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.