Job ID: 21150
Agency: Game, Fish and Parks - Wildlife Division
Location: Mitchell, SD
Salary: $21.64 to $23.18 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GH
Closing Date: 12/30/2022

This is a permanent, 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/.

This position will be responsible for the planning and implementation of management plans on Game Production Areas located in southeastern South Dakota in the counties of Aurora, Beadle, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner, and Sanborn. Job duties will include an aggressive approach in developing new habitat and improving and managing existing habitat for wildlife. This will include working with GPA tenants and agricultural leases to accomplish habitat management goals. Designing shelterbelts and native grass and forb mixes. Working with private contractors, completing state contracts, and ensuring the habitat development services are completed correctly. Writing prescribed burn plans and implementing prescribed fire. Reporting annual accomplishments in local and online database systems.

Field work to include, but not limited to, planting native grass and forbs, planting food plots, building fence, spraying noxious weeds, posting boundaries, and other general GPA maintenance. This individual will maintain their equipment such as tractors, trailers, drills, UTVs, and other agricultural implements used in habitat management.

This position will work closely with and provide work direction, projects, and tasks for a Pheasants Forever Habitat Specialist located in Huron, SD. This specialist is designated to work primarily on GPAs developing, managing, and improving habitat.

This position will also be engaged in hunter access programs that include Walk-In Areas (WIA), CHAPs (Controlled Hunter Access Program), and CREPs (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), along with private land habitat programs such as a food plot program. This engagement is part of a statewide team approach to promote programs that increase habitat and access on private land. This position will work cooperatively with the district’s Private Land Habitat Biologist and other regional staff in this effort.

The incumbent will work in a typical office environment and field work conditions. There will be frequent travel throughout the 7 county area with occasional overnight stays.

Licenses and Certifications:
A valid driver’s license is required and a CDL will be required within 90 days of hire. The successful applicant will also be required to complete a certified ATV course, an online UTV safety course, obtain a South Dakota Department of Agricultural Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, and obtain a minimum Fire Fighter Type 2 certification with a preferred RX Burn Boss Type 3 certification.

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

Knowledge of:

• habitat management practices including controlled grazing, prescribed burning, haying, and herbicide use;
• knowledge of planting native grasses, forbs, food plots, and trees;
• equipment used in the development of habitat for wildlife;
• general knowledge of the flora of the region;
• use of Windows programs including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint;
• knowledge of GIS software including ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, and Collector App.

Skill to:

• be self-driven, passionate, well organized, and highly motivated;
• work effectively with agency staff, Game Production Area tenants, contractors, diverse members of the public, and conservation organizations;
• communicate with private landowners;
• communicate with habitat staff and intern crew to complete GPA projects;
• formulate Game Production Area habitat management plans;
• operate equipment associated with habitat management such as tractors, planters, drills, UTVs and other various implements;
• operate computers and various GIS/GPS technologies;
• report Game Production Area Management Plan accomplishments into an electronic database (Wildlife Inventory Land Management Application).

Ability to:

• lift heavy loads;
• work long hours as necessary;
• work outside during inclement weather;
• communicate effectively;
• work alone or as part of a team;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, landowners, other agencies, and the public;
• coordinate and complete annual agricultural leases for grazing, haying, food plots, and cropping on Game Production Areas;
• coordinate and complete state contracts with contractors to develop habitat;
• maintain and repair equipment as needed;
• make habitat management decisions to improve wildlife habitat;
• communicate with private landowners.

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

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 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://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=KKC
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"