Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Agency Information:

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is an executive branch agency in charge of operating and regulating the use of state parks, state lakes, recreational grounds, wildlife areas and sanctuaries, fish hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites and other lands, waters, and facilities for the promotion of public health, safety, and for the use and pleasure of visitors. The agency is also charged with the development and conservation of wildlife and the natural resources within the state. The agency oversees 29 state parks, 500 miles of trails, approximately 460,301 acres of leased or owned public lands, management of four hatcheries, and four nature centers.

To meet our mission, projects, and goals, KDWP employs approximately 466 full time employees and up to 350 temporary employees, throughout the state, with diverse and varying skillsets. The largest agency office is the Operational Headquarters in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are three Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, and Hays; three District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, and Dodge City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

KDWP has an annual budget of $110 million for Fiscal Year 2024. The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Fisheries, Farlington, Crawford, Biologist

Compensation: $27.61/hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Immediate comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: This permanent, full-time unclassified position is located in the Fisheries Division, Farlington Fish Hatchery and Kansas Aquatic Biodiversity Center and is directly supervised by Joshua Jagels, Fish Hatchery Manager.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent is responsible for all propagation phases of freshwater mussels and fish culture phases required for the production of assigned mussel and fish species; assimilates, interprets and reports operational data, to include glochidia production, attachment and drop-off, fish egg production and viability, egg hatch rates, fish and mussel growth, feed consumption/conversion, pond/raceway fertilization rates, plankton production, species composition, water use, water quality parameters, pesticide use and fish disease treatment; participates in the development of comprehensive plans; serves as lead worker, directing and training temporary employees and co-workers assisting with the culture of assigned fish and mussel species production; designs and modifies mussel and fish culture equipment; remains current on modern fish culture and mussel propagation techniques; provides information and/or conducts facility tours, fish deliveries, freshwater mussel stockings, presentations and media contacts; and special projects, as assigned.

As a condition of employment, the employee will be required to live within a 15-minute drive to the Farlington Fish Hatchery. It is understood that the employee will be on “Stand By” when necessary, on a rotating basis.

Upon employment, the following licenses will be required:

• a Class B Kansas Commercial Driver's License with no air brake restrictions
• Kansas Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification, Category 5- Aquatic Pesticides

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management.

Licensing & Certification: The successful candidate must pass a background check AND must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management. Education may be substituted for experience by the agency as necessary. Must possess the ability to work well with and train others.

Preferred Qualifications: Two years of relevant technical experience in fisheries science, environmental field and/or program preferred.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Laverne Taylor

Email: laverne.taylor@ks.gov

Phone: 620-672-0704

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

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, if applicable, (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.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”