Biologist II - Private Lands Section

Position Overview

Location	Bismarck
Salary	$5,299 – $7,066 hiring range
Closing Date	May 10, 2026
Status	Full-time
Type of Recruitment	Internal/External
Notes

Summary of Work

The individual selected for this position will work in the Private Land Section of the Department’s Wildlife Division and be responsible for assisting the Private Land Section Leader in the development, implementation, and delivery of the Department’s Private Land Initiative, which includes the Conservation PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) walk-in hunting access program, and the wildlife habitat program. The position has supervisory and budgetary responsibilities for a team of private land field biologists located within district offices.

Primary responsibilities include supervisory and administrative support for field staff, preparing budgets and annual work plans, grant writing and reporting, policy and procedure compliance and annual updates, reviewing agreements, record keeping, and ensuring effective delivery of the PLI. Other responsibilities include coordination of the annually produced Conservation PLOTS Guide, equipment procurement, signing PLOTS tracts and wildlife depredation activities.

Work will require habitat planning, budgeting and discussions on how to improve habitat and access in the state through delivery of the PLOTS program. Discussions with internal staff, NGOs, state agencies, federal agencies, private landowners, agricultural entities and industry will be required. Other wildlife surveys, habitat management and public information duties may also be assigned as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology or wildlife management or closely related natural resource science degree and four years of professional work experience with a wildlife or natural resource management agency.

The position requires experience delivering federal, state or private conservation programs. Experience with private landowners, knowledge of agriculture, experience performing habitat development/management and providing biological/technical assistance.

The individual must be highly responsible, well-organized and must have attention to detail. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, private landowners and other natural resource agency professionals and organizations. The individual must have the ability to work with other wildlife management professionals and must be self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment. Must have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word and Excel).

The individual must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel.

Requires satisfactory completion of a background check.

This is a salaried position and may require the individual to work long or extra hours, exceeding 40 hours per week, to complete tasks during specific periods throughout the year.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to individuals with:

Supervisory or project management experience
Experience managing budgets, grants, reports, policies, or procedural documents
Experience conducting wildlife surveys and habitat assessments
Experience with wildlife depredation
Experience with map reading, legal descriptions, or other mapping software applications
Participation in hunting

Application Procedures

Applicants must complete the online application.
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 or include this information on the resume.

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 11:59 p.m. 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 please contact Kevin Kading, Private Lands Section Leader at kkading@nd.gov or for persons needing accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Melissa Long, HR Services Manager at 701-328-6318.

For troubles or questions about applying on the online system, contact recruiter@nd.gov.

The North Dakota Game and 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.

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.

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.