Biologist I – Wildlife Resource Section

Position Overview

Location	Riverdale, ND
Salary	$4,976 - $5,359 hiring range
Closing Date	November 8, 2026
Status	Full-time
Type of Recruitment	Internal/External
Notes

Summary of Work

The individual selected for this position will work in the Wildlife Resource Section of the Department's Wildlife Division and be responsible for assisting the District Wildlife Resource Supervisor with the development, operation, maintenance and overall management of District Wildlife Management Areas.

This includes coordinating and managing new developments and routine maintenance work projects in the field like tree plantings, establishment of herbaceous cover, and food plots, noxious weed control, prescribed burning, fence construction and maintenance, water level management and sign installation.

Office responsibilities will include managing WMA lease agreements with local farmers and ranchers, assisting with federal aid work plans and budget planning, annual management plans and other daily administrative duties.

This position shall perform hiring and supervising of seasonal employees, assist with supervision of wildlife technicians, assist with the coordination and response to wildlife depredation issues in the district; and assist the Game Management Section in game surveys (possibly including aerial surveys), management, research actives and disease monitoring.

This position will also assist the Private Lands Section, as necessary, with implementation and delivery of private land habitat and access components of the Department's Private Land Initiative.

This position will provide public educational services as needed and technical assistance with wildlife management principles and practices based on sound biological knowledge and data.

Accomplishment of all these work objectives will require extensive coordination and collaboration with private landowners, contractors, energy developers, other federal, state and private agricultural and wildlife conservation agencies.

Other wildlife management and public information duties may also be assigned as necessary.

Wildlife Opportunity

This position offers a rewarding opportunity to work with a stellar team of wildlife professionals to conserve wildlife and habitat resources and provide public access to enjoy those resources in central North Dakota. Your responsibilities will take you across the diverse terrain and beautiful landscapes the state has to offer, from the rolling prairie pothole region to river bottom woodlands. If you love the outdoors, this is the place for you!

We are looking for a candidate with a passion to help protect, conserve, and enhance the sustainable use of North Dakota's wildlife resources for the benefit of the public now and in the future.

ND Game and Fish Department 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.

The Community

Riverdale is a small, close-knit community where nature, recreation and history come together—and the next adventure is never far away. Located along the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea, Riverdale puts world-class fishing, hunting, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing within easy reach. The Garrison Dam area offers access to walleye, salmon, trout, pike and bass fishing, while nearby public lands provide opportunities to hunt deer, pheasants, grouse, waterfowl and more.

For a wildlife biologist, it’s more than just a great place to work—it’s a place where your profession and passion can naturally overlap. You can step out your door and be surrounded by the landscapes, wildlife and outdoor recreation that make North Dakota special.

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 one year of professional work experience with a wildlife or natural resource management agency. A master’s degree in a closely related field can substitute for one year of work experience.

The position requires a working knowledge and experience in the following areas: wildlife management concepts, wildlife habitat and land management practices, habitat requirements for Northern Great Plains resident and migratory wildlife, federal and state agricultural conservation programs, and production agriculture practices.

The individual must possess well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, be highly responsible, be well organized and have attention to detail. Must have the ability to work with private landowners, farmers/ranchers, other wildlife management professionals, wildlife groups, and the general public in a professional manner as a representative of the agency. Must be self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment with the ability to multi-task and balance many work responsibilities at once. Must have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word and Excel).

The individual must have the ability to operate and maintain many different types of farm equipment, grass drills, trucks/trailers, ATVs/UTVs, and other equipment. The individual must have a valid driver’s license, be able to lift at least 50 pounds, and be willing to travel. In addition, the applicant must be capable of obtaining S-130/S-190 basic wildland firefighter certification, a Class A commercial driver’s license, and a commercial pesticide applicators license within the first 6 months of employment.

Requires satisfactory completion of a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to individuals with:

Knowledge and experience in wildlife depredation programs
Knowledge and experience in the control of noxious and invasive weeds using sprayers and data logging systems.
Knowledge and experience operating and maintaining farm style machinery (tractors, tillage equipment, seed drills, skid steer, etc.)
Experience operating and maintaining various styles of fire pumper units (dedicated fire engines, slide in units, UTV pumpers, etc.)
Experience towing large trailers with heavy equipment
Experience in the operation and basic maintenance of UTV/ATVs
Experience in geographic information systems
Experience in grazing management systems
Experience in wildlife surveys and/or experience in aerial surveys using low flying aircraft
Active participation in hunting, fishing, and trapping

Application Procedures

Applicants must complete the online application. Applicants will be scored by their responses to the questionnaire 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 separate 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 11:59 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 or for persons needing accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, Melissa Long, HR Services Manager at 701-328-6605.

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.

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 and this hiring agency do 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 provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.