LTE Visitor Services Associate - Mead Wildlife Area (Milladore)

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring a LTE (Limited Term Employee) Visitor Services Associate at our Mead Wildlife Area in Milladore, WI.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

The Visitor Services Associate is responsible for the daily function of the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center. This position also assists with the delivery of wildlife education, interpretation, and outdoor skills programs. The Visitor Services Associate represents the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife Management Programs, while providing service to the public and support to the property staff.

65% A. Visitor Center and Customer Service Operations

A.1 Open and Close the Visitor Center as directed by the Visitor Center check list.

A.2 Welcome guests. Promote visitor engagement with the Mead Wildlife Education and Visitors Center wildlife, environmental, and historical exhibits and displays by interfacing with visitors through personal contact.

A.3 Provide guests with information related to the George W. Mead and McMillan Marsh Wildlife Areas, including but not limited to map distribution, history of the property, rules and regulations, services available, recreational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, programs, and tools available to help answer their questions.

A.4 Work with Mead staff, outside groups, organizations, individual instructors, hunt programs, festivals, and special events to make sure their needs are met.

A.5 Setup of the Mead Wildlife Education and Visitors Center for use by outside groups, businesses, and organizations; delivery and collection of the completed Building Use Policy.

A.6 Answer general phone line, respond timely and appropriately to inquiries, take messages, and deliver to appropriate staff as needed. Follow up on customer concerns as needed.

A.7 Keep abreast of important dates, rules, regulations, programs, and services.

A.8 Update signage as needed.

A.9 Restock kiosks regularly, tidy the structures and surrounding spaces, and inform staff of any needed repairs or maintenance.

A.10 Monitor the building, entryway, outdoor classroom, amphitheater, and surrounding areas for cleanliness; Tidy up as needed. Restock bathroom amenities as needed. Make minor repairs and replace batteries as needed.

A.11 Collect Visitor Center data, including number of daily guests. Enter data into a spreadsheet for record keeping and reporting.

A.12 Perform other duties as assigned by the property or area supervisor, and/or lead worker.

30% B. Assist with the Facilitation of Education and Interpretive Programming:

B.1 Assist with an intensive, in-depth, and well diversified activity-based wildlife conservation education program for schools, groups, organizations, and individuals.

B.2 Assist with the preparation of in-depth lesson plans that incorporate the Wisconsin Academic Standards and the Wisconsin Academic Standards for Environmental Education and Science when needed.

B.3 Assist with the maintenance and coordinated use of all wildlife education program aids, equipment and supplies, including but not limited to reserved education trunks.

B.4 Effectively promote and market educational events and activities with visitor center guests.

B.5 Collect information for, write, and send a digital, monthly email, “What’s Happening at the Mead”; regularly update the distribution list.

5% C. Professional Development

C.1 Actively participate in work unit, area, district, program, and division meetings and events as directed.

C.2 Participate in wildlife and environmental education training and professional development.

The Visitor Services Associate position pays between $18.00 - $19.50 per hour and is in pay schedule and range 02-10. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

More about LTE positions:

1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.

2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.

3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Special Requirements:

1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin resident is a person who:

a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;

b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;

c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or

d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.

2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the required qualifications below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
• Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
• Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year

Visitor Services Associate Required Qualifications:

• Must be available work weekend shifts.
• Possess excellent communication skills.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Diversity and Cross-Cultural Sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Wisconsin flora and fauna.
• Knowledge of wildlife habitat types and management practices.
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation principles and methodologies.
• Skill using word processing (i.e. Office), spreadsheet (i.e. Excel), internet browsing and communication software programs (i.e. Google, Outlook, Gmail, etc.).
• Knowledge of other governmental conservation programs.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving skills.

Click the “Apply for Job” button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.

For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact craig.ziolkowski@wisconsin.gov.

For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions.

Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on March 24th, 2025 in order to be considered.