Resource Biologist

Job ID: 31234
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location: Ft. Pierre, SD
Salary: $22.69-$28.36 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 05/01/2025

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 https://gfp.sd.gov/.

Why the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks?
Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is not just a job. It is a life passion. It is about working together as a team with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state’s outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities for people to enjoy is one of the best jobs in state government. Our atmosphere empowers professional success and team building, while fostering relationships to build a culture focused on our four strategic plan goals.

• Provide outdoor recreational opportunities
• Serve as stewards of our state’s natural resources
• Inspire confidence
• Foster professional excellence

All we need is you to join our team! Sound like a good fit so far? As a South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks employee, here is what you will experience:

• Innovation – The GFP Team is consistently revolutionizing enhancements to outdoor recreation in terms of technology and customer experience. We invite new ideas and interaction from our employees.
• Collaboration and Communication – Our employees work with various teams, programs and divisions within the agency, outside state and federal agencies, and public stakeholders. We want all employees to know that their voice will be heard as we continuously work towards our future goals.
• Professional Development – We provide training and support for you to become an expert in the field and obtain the skills necessary to be successful in your position.
• Task Diversity – The work duties are never boring. Your duties may include meetings with coworkers, collaborating with other government representatives, representing the Department at Commission meetings and national conferences, visiting one of our state parks and recreation areas, or working to enhance habitat on a game production area.

The outdoors provides for a pretty nice corner office!

Who We’re Looking For?

• Do you have an interest of working within habitat resource management?
• Are you excellent at organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects while maintaining a positive attitude?
• Do you welcome the opportunity to tackle problems and think quickly to find innovative solutions?

What You Will Do:
This is a Full-Time 40 hours Weekly position with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. For more information on the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/. The incumbent is responsible for the planning and implementation of management plans on game production areas of Region 2 in Central South Dakota. This position will work closely with ranchers to plan fencing and water resources for rotational grazing on state owned Game Production Areas. Job duties include the writing of agricultural leases and reporting of annual accomplishments. Incumbent will also conduct field work including inspection of range condition and collect habitat data, compile data for reports and presentation, spraying of noxious weeds, inspect range condition and collect habitat data, planting of trees, food plots and native grasses, and other general GPA maintenance duties. Incumbent will present at public and state government meetings. This position will also assist in cultural resource monitoring and data collection for the departments plant database.

Licenses and Certifications:
Incumbent will need to acquire a Class A CDL drivers license and South Dakota pesticide applicators license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries or equivalent degree and/or experience is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• general habitat management practices including the planting of food plots, trees and grasses, controlled grazing, haying, controlled burning and herbicide use;
• be able to ID the flora of the region;
• knowledge of the principles used in the management of wildlife populations and their associated habitat;
• use of Windows programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of other software including ArcMap Pro, Survey 123, and Arc GIS collector.

Ability to:

• read and comprehend technical material;
• organize and present information effectively and in a logical sequence;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the public;
• communicate sufficiently to resolve conflicts with staff, the public, and landowners;
• meet all deadlines given by supervisor.

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 $0 premium employee health insurance option 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 https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1IY
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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