Private habitat biologist

Full job description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 26464
Agency: Department of Game, Fish and Parks - Wildlife Division
Location: Webster
Salary: $28.06 to $33.39 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GJ
Closing Date: 03/22/2024

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. For more information on the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, please visit

Why the Department of Game, Fish and Parks:
Culture and tradition run strong at the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Our skilled workforce believes in professionalism and accountability to meet the growing expectations of our customers. Working here isn’t just a job – it’s a life’s passion. Our atmosphere empowers professional success, team building, and facilitating relationships with organizations to ensure our state’s rich outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation.

Helping private landowners reach their farm or operation goals while developing and conserving habitat and access are integral parts of nearly all aspects of what we do as an agency. We provide the opportunity for our customers to realize their goals while also creating and developing long term sustainable management plans for habitat and wildlife on their properties. Our team of habitat advisors and experts ensure we remain responsive and adaptive to the needs of our customers and our South Dakota landscape. All we need is you! Sound like a good fit? As a Department of Game, Fish and Parks employee, here’s what you’ll experience:

• Innovation – The Private Lands Habitat team is consistently revolutionizing the way the agency implements new data findings on the ground.
• Professional Development – We provide trainings and support for you to become an expert in the field.
• Facilitation and Project Management – Seeing a project through from start to finish is always something to be proud of.
• Task Diversity – Projects come from various backgrounds and provide an opportunity to learn more about our work and contribute technical skills to really make the project successful.
• Collaboration and Communication – The Private Lands Habitat team works with many different teams within the agency, outside agencies, and private landowners.
• Part of the Big Picture – Our work is user-friendly and extends past the Private Lands Habitat team. Our service is relied upon daily especially by private landowners.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Are you excellent at organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects while maintaining a positive attitude?
• Does the thought of a work environment where each day’s duties will be different sound exciting?
• When problems occur, you don’t get overwhelmed, but you are quick on your feet to find a solution?
• Are you an effective communicator that enjoys providing superior service to the department’s customers, leadership, and other employees?

What You Will Do:
This position will assist landowners, farmers, and ranchers in developing and implementing sustainable habitat and access related projects that not only benefit their operation but also wildlife. This position will also help coordinate and facilitate communication amongst private land managers and other natural resource agencies and organizations. These duties are a good mix of office setting and on-site visits and field work with private landowners on a weekly basis. Some overnight travel will be required for trainings, meetings, and conferences.

About the Area:

There are 13 counties that make up Region 4 in northeast South Dakota, with Aberdeen and Watertown being the larger cities offering many amenities with plenty of friendly small towns in between. The diverse landscape in the northeast offers some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the nation. Fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching are all popular activities in the area and offer year-round opportunities. Multiple state parks in the area offer a quick getaway for hiking, biking, and swimming as well as provide some rich history (Fort Sisseton). We enjoy the beauty of tallgrass and mixed grass prairies and the wonders of countless prairie wetlands found on the Prairie and Missouri Coteaus. This prairie pothole region is a major waterfowl production area and is affectionately known as the Duck Factory. Cattle grazing and agricultural fields are abundant and managed by hard-working ranchers and farmers.

For more information about this area, please visit the South Dakota Department of Tourism – Northeast South Dakota website:

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver's license
• Successful applicant will also be required to complete a certified ATV safety course, an online UTV safety course, and Fire Fighter Type 2 certification.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries or equivalent degree and/or experience is preferred.
• An innate ability to effectively communicate with and relate well to ranchers, farmers, and other private landowners.

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of agricultural, rangeland, and riparian area management, monitoring, and evaluation;
• principles and practices of wildlife habitat and population management;
• state and federal laws, regulations, and programs affecting wetland and grassland conservation;
• other state and federal conservation practices, policies, and programs affecting wildlife, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources on both public and private lands;
• ecology of game and non-game wildlife species;
• ecological and socio-economic factors affecting wildlife habitat and populations;
• GIS and GPS applications and technology.

Skill to:

• use knowledge base to effectively evaluate, plan, and implement management of wildlife habitat development projects on private lands.

Ability to:

• interact between the public, resource management agencies, and wildlife and fisheries resources;
• work with other natural resource professionals to develop, inform, and deliver wildlife habitat conservation initiatives, programs, and services consistent with Department objectives and that address important natural resource issues;
• organize and analyze available information and draw sound conclusions;
• write clearly and concisely and in logical sequence;
• elate to and communicate effectively with private landowners, ranchers, and farmers;
• favorably present and promote departmental priorities, services, and actions;
• effectively plan and organize work activities and prioritize task completion to meet schedules and deadlines;
• budget time, monetary, material, and equipment resources;
• communicate information clearly and concisely.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: Email:


"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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