Public Lands Manager II

This permanent, unclassified, full-time position is located in the Public Lands Division, Melvern Wildlife Area; and is directly supervised by Dustin Mengarelli, Public Lands Regional Supervisor.

This position is a professional management position in wildlife conservation and management for the Melvern and Indian Hills Wildlife Areas and Lyon State Fishing Lake in which the incumbent plans, develops and maintains wildlife habitat and recreational facilities on public lands; conducts agricultural leasing on wildlife areas; coordinates and directs the work of seasonal employees in developing, improving and maintaining habitat and recreation sites, facilities at state fishing lakes, and wildlife areas; directs food plot and habitat activities on wildlife areas; plans, assigns and evaluates wildlife and recreational programs and projects; implements wildlife management enhancements and strategies; manages the daily operations of state fishing lakes and wildlife areas; responsible for day-to-day field operations and repair of facilities, equipment and grounds; prepares and submits budget requests for specific projects; contracts for specific services, ensuring contract compliance; prepares and furnishes interpretive programs to the public; promotes wildlife conservation through public speaking, writing and general contact; cooperates with all KDWP Law Enforcement Officers to enforce laws, rules and regulations; and assists in scientific field studies and experiments relating to wildlife and recreational use.

The incumbent administers and participates in law enforcement activities on assigned areas; detects violations, makes arrests, collects evidence, prepares cases and testifies, as required-must be a credible witness in court, cooperates/coordinates with all KDWP Law Enforcement Officers and local law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations for the protection of resources, visitors and facilities.

If an applicant is not currently law enforcement certified, our agency will send the successful applicant to the required training as listed below.  Applicants do not have to be law enforcement certified to apply.  Upon notice of conditional offer of employment, successful candidate will be screened, tested, and assessed for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

BENEFITS: Beginning hourly wage, $27.68/hour; immediate group health and life insurance coverage; Kansas Police and Fire Retirement; optional deferred compensation, dental and vision options; holidays; and sick, vacation, and parental leave.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management, but other degrees relating to this field may be considered as determined relevant by the agency. Applicants with experience in managerial work over a wildlife area or other public lands, assisting with the responsibilities of conservation, operations, construction, maintenance, and public services will be given preference. The successful candidate must pass a background check and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The employee is required to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.

The position requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C.§ 992 (g) (8) and (9).To be eligible for certification in the state of Kansas, one must also be free of any diversions from a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.

Candidates for these positions must have the following: be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison; and be required to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency.

This class requires that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services, a pre-employment physical, a standard battery of psychological tests, and a Polygraph Examination are required for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Course.

Because this position requires the employee to be certified as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission, certain past and present personal behaviors can impact employee eligibility.