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 of at least 21 years of age

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Public Lands, Cedar Bluff, Trego

Compensation: $27.68/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

Kansas Police and Fire Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: This permanent, unclassified, full-time position is located in the Public Lands Division, Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area; and is directly supervised by Brian Serpan, Public Lands Regional Supervisor.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: This position is a professional management position in wildlife conservation and management for Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area, Kansas Veterans Wildlife Area, Harrison Flats Wildlife Area, and Logan Wildlife Area, and serves as the primary contact for three public domains. The primary duty station for this position will be located at Cedar Bluff State Park and Wildlife Area.

The incumbent plans, develops, and maintains wildlife habitat and recreational facilities on public lands, and provides safety and assistance to the public. Responsibilities include participating in, directing, and supervising land and habitat management work; budget preparation and expenditure tracking; preparing documents, reports, and management plans; assisting other divisions and various state and federal agencies with environmental issues; purchasing supplies and equipment; administering agricultural leases; ensuring contract compliance; supervising and participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of area buildings, equipment, and roads; providing public information and promoting wildlife conservation; participating in scientific field studies and surveys; and actively participating in interviews, hiring, training, and coordination of seasonal employees.

The incumbent administers and participates in law enforcement activities on assigned areas; detects violations, makes arrests, collects evidence, prepares cases and testifies, as required-must be a credible witness in court, cooperates/coordinates with KDWP Law Enforcement Officers and local law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations for the protection of resources, visitors and facilities.

If an applicant is not currently law enforcement certified, our agency will send the successful applicant to the required training as listed below. Applicants do not have to be law enforcement certified to apply. Upon notice of conditional offer of employment, successful candidate will be screened, tested, and assessed for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

Qualifications

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

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

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management and one year of experience in directing a field office with operations relevant to the agency's operations. Other degrees relating to this field may be considered as determined relevant by the agency. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications: Applicants with experience in managerial work over a wildlife area or other public lands, assisting with the responsibilities of conservation, operations, construction, maintenance, and public services will be given preference.

Necessary Special Requirements: The employee is required to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.

The position requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C.§ 992 (g) (8) and (9).To be eligible for certification in the state of Kansas, one must also be free of any diversions from a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.

Candidates for these positions must have the following: be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison; and be required to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency.

This class requires that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services, a pre-employment physical, a standard battery of psychological tests, and a Polygraph Examination are required for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Course.

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”