IA Wildlife Management Specialists

Work Locations

Iowa DNR - Iowa River Wildlife Unit: 2564 Amana Road NW, Swisher, IA 52338 (Johnson County) or 2805 HWY E66, Chelsea, IA 52215 (Tama County) or Iowa DNR Maquoketa Wildlife Unit (Jackson County): 51576 Green Island Rd, Miles, IA 52064

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
These positions may be extended for an additional year pending funding and job performance. If the positions are extended, the candidates may be reassigned to another wildlife unit in Iowa.

This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Under daily direction of Iowa DNR staff, the incumbent will conduct habitat management work on public wildlife areas. The PF Wildlife Management Specialist will perform various semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks within a wildlife management unit. The role requires high initiative and commitment to efficient completion of assignments.

Employees will work with other wildlife unit personnel under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist.

Job duties 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, using large farm machinery, chainsaws, and other hand tools.
• Prescribed fire implementation for ecological purposes requiring fire-line construction, holding, and mop-up activities; tasks require periodic work under physically stressful and adverse conditions and proficiency with basic wildland firefighting equipment.
• Wildlife surveys and monitoring: waterfowl banding, deer spotlight routes, spring bird point counts, quail covey counts, chronic wasting disease sampling, etc.; biological data collection may require early or late work scheduling.
• General area maintenance: mowing, sign posting, fence building/removal, tree/brush control, noxious weed control; use of simple power equipment such as drills, saws, hand tools, chainsaws, trimmers, small mowers.
• Special assignments may require overnight travel as part of a crew for large scale fence removal, fence building or tree removal projects outside unit counties; assignments require teamwork, outdoor work in all weather, and physical endurance.

• 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 Summary PDF.

Please visit our website:
http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./jobs
. Combine your cover letter (indicating location preferences), resume and 3 references into one Word document or PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” area of your application on our Recruitment website.

Must possess or be able to acquire a pesticide applicator’s license and S130-190 basic firefighter training certification; these special requirements must be met within 90 days of hire if not currently possessed. The successful applicant will also be encouraged to obtain a commercial driver’s license, Iowa DNR chainsaw safety certification, and first aid & blood borne pathogen training.

Pheasants Forever, Inc is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.