Biologist Ii – Private Lands Section

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is seeking a Biologist II for the Private Lands Section in Bismarck, ND. The role involves assisting in the Private Land Initiative, supervising field biologists, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with policies. Applicants need a Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology or related fields, with four years of relevant experience. The position requires effective communication skills and a valid driver's license, with potential travel involved.
Position Overview


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


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



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