Biologist I Private Lands Section

Location: Dickinson, ND and Bismarck ND
Salary Range: $4,645 - $5,002 hiring range
Closing Date: March 16, 2025
Status: Full-time
Recruitment: Internal/External

The Department is seeking to fill two district private lands biologist positions. Applicants will be able to indicate their location preferences when applying.

Wildlife Opportunity

This position offers a rewarding opportunity to work with landowners to develop wildlife habitat and provide public hunting access to private lands. You will be joining a dynamic and growing Private Lands Section team in the Department's Wildlife Division. The work you do will be part of the Department's Private Land Initiative, which aims to conserve and enhance habitats for wildlife populations on private lands.

ND Game and Fish 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. For more information visit Team ND Benefits.

The Communities

Dickinson is located on the "Western Edge of North Dakota". Dickinson is a mid-sized community with various city amenities and offers access to outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. The Little Missouri National Grasslands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the North Dakota Badlands are just a short drive to the west. Lake Sakakawea is located approximately an hour and a half to the north and opportunities for upland and big game hunting opportunities are plentiful in the region. The position would be responsible for delivery of PLI programs in Billings, Dunn, Golden Valley, Slope and Stark counties.

Straddling the Missouri River, the Bismarck and Mandan community is home to the North Dakota State Capitol. With various city amenities, Bismarck and Mandan offer access to outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Wetlands and prairies offer excellent upland and waterfowl hunting to the north and east, while upland and big game hunting opportunities are plentiful in the west. The position would be responsible for delivery of PLI programs in Burleigh, Emmons, Morton and Sioux counties.

Summary of Work

The district private lands biologist will be responsible for delivery, development, and implementation of the Private Lands Initiative (PLI), including Habitat and Access Programs. Primary job duties include discussions with private landowners to develop agreements, specifically, Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) and Habitat program agreements. Coordination with federal and state agricultural and wildlife agencies, conservation entities, and other partners is required. Operating equipment for habitat management and development is occasionally needed. Wildlife surveys, habitat assessments, and public information duties will also be assigned.

This is a salaried position and may require the individual to work long or extra hours, exceeding 40 hours per week, to complete tasks during specific periods throughout the year.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management, biology/zoology, or a closely related natural resource science degree or another field related to the program area and two years of work experience that provided the knowledge and skills to perform the duties of this position.

The position requires experience with one or more of the following areas: private land conservation programs, project management, wildlife habitat management and development, agriculture and private landowners.

The individual must be highly organized with well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, and must have the ability to work with farmers/ranchers and wildlife management professionals.

The applicant must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver's license. Must be able to travel; occasional overnight travel is required.

Requires successful completion of a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to individuals with:

• Experience using GIS, spreadsheets and databases, map reading and legal descriptions
• Experience operating farm equipment, grass drills, trucks/trailers, ATVs and other equipment
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys and habitat assessments
• Experience with wildlife depredation
• Applicants who actively participate in hunting

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures

• Applicants must complete the online application. Applicants will be scored by their responses to the questionnaire questions - please do not say "See Resume" to any questions.
• Applicants must also upload a Cover Letter describing how the applicant's ability and experience relates to the Summary of Work.
• Applicants must upload a current Resume that includes information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted.
• Applicants must attach a document listing at least 3 professional references.

Applicants should save their applications frequently to avoid any loss of information. The online application system will time you out after 40 minutes and you will lose any information that is not saved.

Applicants must submit all documents above. It is very important to be thorough and detailed on all your application materials. If the Department's human resource officer cannot determine that you meet the minimum qualifications or verify your answers to the questionnaire questions you will not be given credit.

Applications must be completed by 11:59 pm on the posted closing date. For information about the position or for persons needing accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Melissa Long, Administrative Officer at 701-328-6318.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.