FWB III

The State of Kansas is hiring for a full-time Fisheries Biologist position located in the Dodge City Regional Office. The role involves multi-county fisheries management, coordination of sportfish education efforts, and integration of research and conservation biology. The position offers benefits including medical coverage, paid leave, and retirement plans. The job is open to anyone, with a salary starting at $30.44 per hour.
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: April 4, 2025

Required documents uploaded by: April 7, 2025

Agency Information:

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is an executive branch agency in charge of operating and regulating the use of state parks, state lakes, recreational grounds, wildlife areas and sanctuaries, fish hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites and other lands, waters, and facilities for the promotion of public health, safety, and for the use and pleasure of visitors. The agency is also charged with the development and conservation of wildlife and the natural resources within the state. The agency oversees 29 state parks, 500 miles of trails, approximately 460,301 acres of leased or owned public lands, management of four hatcheries, and four nature centers.

To meet our mission, projects, and goals, KDWP employs approximately 466 full time employees and up to 350 temporary employees, throughout the state, with diverse and varying skillsets. The largest agency office is the Operations Offices in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are four Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, Hays, and Dodge City; six District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, Colby, Fort Scott, Garden City, and Mound City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

KDWP has an annual budget of $110 million for Fiscal Year 2024. The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Fisheries, Dodge City, Sportfish, Education, Ford, Biologist

Compensation: $30.44/hour
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Immediate comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: This unclassified, full-time position is located in the Fisheries Division at the Dodge City Regional Office, and is directly supervised by Scott Waters, Fisheries Regional Supervisor. Alternative regional or area offices in Region 1 or Region 4 may be considered, dependent on office and management district availability.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: This position has multi-county fisheries management duties at public water bodies, coordinates Region 1 and Region 4 sportfish education efforts, and has exciting potential to integrate research, conservation biology, and human dimensions into fisheries management. The sportfish education coordination includes being a member of the Aquatic Education Committee helping to promote and provide various sportfish education projects and events that align with the Aquatic Education Strategic Action Plan, engaging with citizens regarding fishing and fishing opportunities in western Kansas, coordinating aquatic education supply purchases, and assisting the Fisheries Regional Supervisor with management of the regional aquatic education budget.

The incumbent has district fisheries management and conservation responsibilities for the assigned district which will include a variety of reservoirs, state fishing lakes, community lakes, and numerous publicly accessible impoundments. These areas all offer a diverse mix of large and medium-size impoundments with some of the state’s most scenic reservoirs and state fishing lakes containing largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, saugeye, stiped bass, white bass, wipers, channel catfish, trout, and panfish fisheries.

Work involves organizing, coordinating, and directing fisheries programs and projects; conducting fish population surveys, supervision of seasonal employees, and providing technical services to private landowners and local governing units. Other duties: analysis, fisheries research, fish culture, native species conservation, aquatic education, improving fishing access, invasive species programs, and aquatic habitat improvement. The position is expected to use and disseminate scientific information for projects in the region and is encouraged to present at natural resource and scientific meetings. There is excellent potential for cooperation with other agency divisions in the region including education, law enforcement, parks, public lands, and wildlife, among others. The position can expect a healthy mix of field work, office duties, and travel to accomplish duties.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources.

Licensing & Certification: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources and two years full-time employment as a Fisheries Biologist , or equivalent. Additional experience in the biological sciences, agricultural sciences, physical sciences, natural sciences/resources, mathematics or engineering may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications: Prefer candidates possessing a bachelor’s degree in fisheries biology or fisheries management and related experience.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Laverne Taylor

Email: laverne.taylor@ks.gov

Phone: 620-672-0704

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

The following are the required items to apply:

1) a letter of interest

2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address

3) transcript material, if applicable, (copies of official transcripts or unofficial student copies are acceptable as long as degree is conferred)

4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system

5) an Authorization to Release Information form (this can be found at the following website):

https://www.ksoutdoors.com/news/KDWP-Info/Jobs/Employment-Application-Additional-Info
• *Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.

Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.