Resource Biologist

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 29598
Agency: Game, Fish & Parks
Location: Sioux Fall, SD
Salary: $23.82-$34.03 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 12/20/2024

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Game, Fish & Parks. For more information on the Game, Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/.

This position will be responsible for planning and implementation of management plans on Game Production Areas located in southeastern South Dakota in the counties of Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Minnehaha, and Moody Counties. Job duties will include an aggressive approach in developing new habitat and improving and managing existing habitat for wildlife. This will include working with GPA tenants and agricultural leases to accomplish habitat management goals. Designing shelterbelts and native grass and forb mixes. Working with private contractors, completing state contracts, and ensuring the habitat development services are completed correctly. Writing prescribed burn plans and implementing prescribed fire. Reporting annual accomplishments in local and online database systems.

Field work to include but not limited to planting native grass and forbs, planting food plots, building fence, spraying noxious weeds, posting boundaries and other general GPA maintenance. This individual will maintain their equipment such as tractors, trailers, drills, UTVs, and other agricultural implements used in habitat management.

This position will also be engaged in hunter access programs that include Walk-In Areas (WIA), CHAPs (Controlled Hunter Access Program), and CREPs (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) along with private land habitat programs such as a food plot program. This engagement is part of a statewide team approach to promote programs that increase habitat and access on private land. This position will work cooperatively with the district’s Private Land Habitat Biologist and other regional staff in this effort.

The incumbent will work in a typical office environment and field work conditions. There will be frequent travel throughout the 6 county area with occasional overnight stays.

Licenses and Certifications:
A valid driver’s license is required and a CDL will be required within 120 days of hire. The successful applicant will also be required to complete a certified ATV course, an online UTV safety course, obtain a South Dakota Department of Agricultural Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, and obtain a minimum Fire Fighter Type 2 certification with a preferred RX Burn Boss Type 3 certification.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries or equivalent degree and/or experience is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• habitat management practices including controlled grazing, prescribed burning, haying and herbicide use;
• planting native grasses, forbs, food plots, and trees;
• equipment used in the development of habitat for wildlife;
• general knowledge of the flora of the region;
• use of Windows programs including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint;
• GIS software including ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, and Collector App.

Skill to:

• be self-driven, passionate, well organized, and highly motivated;
• work effectively with agency staff, Game Production Area tenants, contractors, diverse members of the public, and conservation organizations;
• communicate with private landowners;
• communicate with habitat staff and intern crew to complete GPA projects;
• formulate Game Production Area habitat management plans;
• operate equipment associated with habitat management such as tractors, planters, drills, UTVs and other various implements;
• operate computers and various GIS/GPS technologies;
• report Game Production Area Management Plan accomplishments into an electronic database.

Ability to:

• lift heavy loads;
• work long hours, and work outside during inclement weather;
• communicate effectively, and be able to work alone or as part of a team;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, landowners, other agencies, and the public;
• coordinate and complete annual agricultural leases for grazing, haying, food plots, and cropping on Game Production Areas;
• coordinate and complete state contracts with contractors to develop habitat;
• maintain and repair equipment as needed;
• make habitat management decisions to improve wildlife habitat;
• communicate with private landowners.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=SD
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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