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 Operations Offices in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are four Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, Hays, and Dodge City; six District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, Colby, Fort Scott, Garden City, and Mound City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

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: Pratt, Ecological Services, Biologist

Compensation: $28.30/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 unclassified, full-time position is located in the Pratt Operations Office. This position will be directly supervised by the Aquatic Species Recovery Program Coordinator. 

This position will serve as the field biologist for the recovery program and primary responsibilities will center around activities related to the reintroduction and monitoring of imperiled aquatic taxa. 

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:  

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with private landowners under the KDWP Programmatic Conservation Benefit Agreement to maintain habitat conditions at reintroduction sites and coordinate stockings and surveys
• Conducting habitat assessments to rate habitat suitability prior to species reintroduction
• Transporting and stocking animals to identified reintroduction sites
• Coordination with both internal and external partners for broodstock collection and stocking propagated animals
• Using standard methods for surveys of freshwater mussels and stream fish communities for collection of broodstock needed for captive propagation, pre-stocking site assessments, and monitoring populations of stocked animals for survival, growth, and reproduction.
• Quality control and digitization of field data
• Assist the program coordinator with summarization of collected data into monthly and annual reports and writing site-plans and reintroduction plans
• Conducts communication and outreach efforts such as presentations, field trips, or attending outreach events for private landowners, conservation partners, the general public, and or other department personnel on program activities. 
• Assist with study design, research, and implementation of novel species reintroduction or monitoring methodology
• Acquisition and maintenance of survey and laboratory equipment 
• Assists department personnel with general agency-related activities and responsibilities. These are general in nature and may involve a broad range of management, research, and educational disciplines. 

Qualifications

Licensing & Certification:  A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a background check are required.

Minimum Qualifications:  One year of experience in the field of environmental or natural sciences/resources. Work conducted while pursuing an advanced degree may be substituted for experience. Strong writing skills, ability to lead by example, and a proven ability to work as part of a team. Ability to self-start and work under adverse survey conditionsAbility to self-start and work under adverse survey conditions. Ability to self-start and work under adverse survey conditions

Preferred Qualifications:  Preferred Bachelor’s degree in environmental or natural sciences/resources. Entry-level proficiency in word processing, PowerPoint, and geographic information systems is preferred. Entry-level proficiency in use of standard sampling gears for aquatic taxa is 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 you wish to include them

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” 

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas.  Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer.  A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.   

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Salary : $58,864