IA Wildlife Management Specialist

Wildlife Management Specialist Position

Work Location: Iowa DNR Clear Lake Wildlife Unit (Cerro Gordo County), 15326 Balsam Ave, Ventura, IA 50482

Final date to receive applications
:
March 2, 2026

Salary: $17.00 per hour

Typical

Hours:

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – 40 hours per week

Anticipated

Start Date:

2-4 weeks post successful job offer

End Date: One year from start date

This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The PF Wildlife Management Specialist is expected to promote and implement the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) in addition to performing a variety of maintenance and technical tasks at the wildlife management unit. The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

The employee in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. The job duties of this position include general wildlife management activities on State owned and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service owned wildlife areas within the assigned unit counties. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties.

View a video of what typical job duties may include.

• Perform general wildlife management activities including: wetland management, prairie management, native prairie seeding, food plot development, edge feathering, tree/brush removal, spraying, disking, mowing, etc., using large farm machinery, chainsaws, and other hand tools.
• Prescribed fire implementation for ecological purposes, including fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities. Proficiency in basic wildland firefighting equipment may be needed.
• Follow up on enrolled IHAP sites, contracting and ensuring that planned work has been completed.
• Contact targeted landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and follow up with interested landowners.
• Wildlife surveys & Monitoring including: waterfowl banding, deer spotlight routes, August roadside surveys, spring bird point counts, fall quail covey counts, chronic wasting disease sampling, etc. Collecting biological data may require early or late scheduling.
• General area maintenance involving mowing, sign posting, fence building/removal, tree/brush control, noxious weed control, etc. Use of simple power equipment, drills, saws, hand tools, chainsaws, trimmers, small mowers, etc.
• Special assignments may require overnight travel as part of a crew to accomplish large scale fence removal, fence building or tree removal projects outside of the assigned unit counties.

• College graduate with a degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, or another closely related natural resource field.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to travel on overnight duties.
• Work with minimal supervision; demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Able to work alone or as part of a team, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.
• Exhibit honesty and integrity. Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

• Work alongside permanent DNR staff to develop technical skills.
• Work outdoors.
• Great opportunity to expand your professional network and make lasting connections.
• High rate of recruitment from PF Wildlife Specialist positions to permanent positions within DNR, PF and other conservation entities.
• Get a preview of employment within two organizations simultaneously, with opportunities to attend annual staff meetings for both DNR and Pheasants Forever.
• Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package. Employee Benefit Package information can be found here:
  Employee Benefit Summary pdf

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