Wildlife Veterinarian
Position Overview
| Location |
Bismarck, ND
|
|---|---|
| Salary |
$6,898- $8,490 hiring range; $6,898-$10,613 full range
|
| Closing Date |
August 10, 2025 or until filled
|
| Status |
Full-time
|
| Type of Recruitment |
Internal/External
|
| Notes |
Summary of Work
Responsible for supervision, budgeting, and management of the state’s wildlife health program, including supervision of the wildlife health biologist and hiring and supervision of temporary and seasonal staff.
Oversee the health and disease status of North Dakota’s wildlife populations through development, planning and coordination of disease surveillance, research, and response.
Manage wildlife health laboratory operations and facilities, including conducting comprehensive diagnostic necropsies in both lab and field settings.
Coordinate with external laboratories for diagnostic services and oversee associated financial transactions.
Remain current on wildlife health issues and provide expert advice, testimony, and guidance on relevant topics such as disease events, protocols, implications, and scientific analysis.
Provide daily communication and response to department personnel and various stakeholders including, general public, sportsmen’s groups, media, and policymakers through oral and written means, oral presentations, interviews, and technical reports.
Train, direct, and support department staff in the safe handling, collection, and euthanasia of sick or injured wildlife.
Develop recommendations for and help administer regulations and policies related to wildlife health and population management, wildlife rehabilitation, falconry, and human-wildlife conflict.
Serve as the primary liaison for the Game and Fish Department with domestic and non-traditional livestock industries, tribal, state, and federal wildlife health agencies, and public health departments.
Engage in collaborative efforts by participating in statewide, regional, and national wildlife health working groups and committees.
Assist with wildlife population surveys and fulfill other assigned duties to support department goals.
Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology or a related field, with the ability to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in North Dakota and obtain a DEA license, and one year of experience in the practice of veterinary medicine. Accreditation or eligibility for accreditation in veterinary medicine from the United States Department of Agriculture may be required. Must also be able to be vaccinated for rabies.
The position requires extensive knowledge of wildlife diseases, wildlife management, and life cycle ecology. Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and written with wildlife management professionals, agricultural professionals, the media and the public. Applicants need to possess strong organizational and project coordination skills and work independently on multiple tasks with overlapping deadlines. Applicants must be able to work collaboratively with others on cooperative projects and to resolve problems.
Must have or be able to obtain a Class D North Dakota driver’s license. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and be willing to travel extensively.
Requires satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preference will be given for
- Experience performing diagnostic necropsies in the laboratory or field
- Experience planning, creating or developing disease monitoring for wildlife populations
- Experience organizing, planning and carrying out field capture operations
- Experience designing and conducting wildlife disease research and publishing the results
- Experience working for a state or federal wildlife management agency
- Experience writing, applying, and securing grants
- Supervisory experience
- A working knowledge and experience using GIS and ArcView or related GIS software and data management
- Actively participating in hunting and/or fishing
Application Procedures:
- Applicants must complete the online application. Applicants will be scored by their responses to the questionnaire questions – please do not say “See Resume” to any questions.
- Applicants must also upload a cover letter describing how the applicant’s ability and experience relates to the summary of work.
- Applicants must upload a current resume that includes information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted.
- Applicants must attach a document listing at least 3 professional references.
Applicants should save their applications frequently to avoid any loss of information. The online application system will time you out after 40 minutes and you will lose any information that is not saved.
Applicants must submit all documents above. It is very important to be thorough and detailed on all your application materials. If the Department’s human resource officer cannot determine that you meet the minimum qualifications or verify your answers to the questionnaire questions you will not be given credit.
Applications must be completed by 11:59pm on the posted closing date.
Current State employees with access to PeopleSoft can access the job posting through the PeopleSoft Portal.
External applicants can access the job posting by going to the ND State Jobs Openings.
For information about the position or for persons needing accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Melissa Long.
For troubles or questions about applying on the online system, contact recruiter@nd.gov.
The North Dakota Game & Fish Department makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant's ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or with an employee's ability to perform essential duties of the job. It is the applicant's responsibility to make known any needs for accommodation. ND Relay Number 1-800-366-6888.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The state of North Dakota does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services, and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.
As employers, the State of North Dakota and political subdivisions prohibit smoking in all places of state and political subdivision employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
Wildlife Opportunity
This position offers a rewarding opportunity to work with a stellar team of wildlife professionals to monitor wildlife populations throughout North Dakota.
The work you do will directly contribute to harvest and population management, and conservation planning throughout the state.
While this position is stationed in Bismarck, North Dakota your responsibilities will allow you to explore all corners of the state including a wide range of dynamic terrain and beautiful landscapes.
ND Game and Fish offers a challenging and rewarding career. It also includes a full range of employee benefits, including 100% employer paid family health insurance, a comprehensive retirement plan, vacation, sick leave (including family sick leave), holiday pay and other great benefits.
For more information visit Team ND Benefits.
The Community
Bismarck-Mandan is a vibrant and growing community located on either side of the scenic Missouri river.
It is home to first-rate schools, healthcare, culture, entertainment, parks, and trails.
Travel out of town in any direction to find phenomenal outdoor recreational opportunities in minutes.
World class hunting and fishing, hiking, boating, and snow sports, are just some of the things to scheme up in the state’s beautiful, varied, and sparsely populated landscapes.
To learn more about living in North Dakota, visit https://findthegoodlife.com