Public Lands Manager III

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

This position is a professional management position in wildlife conservation and management for Milford Wildlife Area, Geary State Fishing Lake, and Washington State Fishing Lake. The primary duty station for this position will be Milford Wildlife Area office.  Daily activities consist of developing and maintaining wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational facilities and providing public safety and assistance on assigned properties. 

Responsibilities include:  direct supervision of the full-time employees located at Milford Wildlife Area; budget preparation, coordination, and management for Milford Wildlife Area; purchasing supplies and equipment; directing and supervising land and habitat management work with an emphasis on moist soil management at Milford Wildlife Area, that includes managing inflows, wetland complex dynamics, pump monitoring and maintenance, wetland enhancement, and water rights issues; supervising and participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of area buildings, equipment, dikes, water-control structures, roads, and all infrastructure; supervises, coordinates, and monitors agricultural permits to ensure positive benefits for all wildlife; provides public information and education; participates in scientific field studies and surveys; and actively participates in interviews, hiring, training and evaluation of permanent and seasonal employees.

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 Natural Resource 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, $30.53/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. Four years of experience in directing a field office with operations relevant to the agency’s operations. Education may be substituted for experience 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, must attain and maintain professional licenses and certificates as determined by project demands, and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This class requires the employee 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.

This class requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position in this class, 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 positions in this class 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.