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 Operational Headquarters in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are three Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, and Hays; three District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, and Dodge City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

KDWP has an annual budget of $110 million for Fiscal Year 2024. The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pitman Roberts and Dingle 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: Wildlife, Manhattan, Biologist, Riley

Compensation: $31.20/hour - $31.96/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 Wildlife Division in the Manhattan NRCS Area 4 Office. This position is directly supervised by Brad Rueschhoff, Wildlife Regional Supervisor. The incumbent will spend 60% of their time working with private landowners in a four-county district. The remaining 40% of the incumbent’s time will be spent working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement wildlife programs at the NRCS Area level.

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

• Based in Manhattan, Kansas but also has district responsibilities in Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, and Nemaha counties.
• Supervises a Wildlife Biologist I who assists with daily district wildlife duties while having primary responsibilities for Pottawatomie and Nemaha Counties.
• District duties involve organizing, coordinating and directing wildlife programs and projects.
• Planning and implementing wildlife habitat projects through the Habitat First program on private land.
• Administers walk-in hunting access program (WIHA) in assigned district, which includes property review, landowner contacts, contract negotiations, and posting of signs.
• Assists Public Lands Division with wildlife management programs.
• Coordinates with local, state and federal agriculture and natural resource agencies and constituency groups.
• Responds to animal damage complaints.
• Coordinates and participates in public information and education efforts with other divisions and local media.
• Conducts environmental assessments and wildlife surveys.
• Provides technical services to private landowners and local governing units
• Prepares documents, reports, and wildlife management plans.
• Assists other divisions and various state and federal agencies with environmental issues.
• Completes various administrative duties necessary to support the district wildlife management program.
• Special projects as assigned.

NRCS Area Responsibilities:

• Responsible for both internal program delivery and providing wildlife management coordination to NRCS Area 4 staff including wetlands determinations, wetlands mitigations, wetland creation, enhancement and restoration.
• Serves as the easement liaison for WRP, GRP, ACEP-ALE and ACEP-WRE assisting with monitoring and compatible use authorizations.
• The incumbent also provides wildlife technical assistance associated with Farm Bill programs such as CRP, RCPP, and EQIP programs.
• Specific job assignments and supervision will be provided by the NRCS Area Conservationist.
• Duties include providing coordination between KDWP and NRCS.
• Implementation of wildlife management provisions into USDA’s farm bill programs at the NRCS area/county level.
• Provides technical advice to NRCS staff to develop USDA statewide programs and policies.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management

Licensing & Certification: The successful candidate must pass a background check and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management AND two years of related work experience. Other degrees relating to this field may be considered. Education may be substituted by the agency.

Additional Qualifications/Skills/Abilities: The successful applicant must have a mix of expertise in ecology, agricultural or related fields. The applicant must have good communication skills and be able to work in an interdisciplinary agency environment and with landowners. Computer skills are strongly 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 applicable, (copies of official transcripts or unofficial student copies are acceptable as long as degree is conferred)

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