Wildlife Management Specialist

Work Location:
Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Unit (Webster County)
2820 Brushy Creek Rd, Lehigh, IA 50557

Application deadline: May 11, 2026
Salary: $17.00 per hour
Typical Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 40 hours per week

Anticipated Start Date: 2-4 weeks post successful job offer with flexibility available
End Date: One year from start date

The position may be extended for an additional year pending funding and job performance.

JOB DESCRIPTION:  This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The primary responsibilities of the Wildlife Management Specialist at the Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Unit are to assist the team with the production of local ecotype native grass and wildflower seed for Iowa’s public lands, along with performing general wildlife management activities on State owned and managed wildlife areas within the assigned counties. The employee in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties. The person in this position must possess strong organization and communication skills and be able to express ideas orally and in writing.  The candidate must possess plant identification skills and lead others in the propagation, maintenance, and harvest of prairie species.  The person must be a leader capable of leading groups of volunteers and other employees.  Candidates must possess the ability to operate independently with indirect supervision under general coordination and program guidelines.

Examples of typical job duties may include:

• Assist with the planting, maintenance, and harvest of over 100 prairie species.
• Identification and harvest of specific prairie species from prairie remnants across the state.
• Perform general wildlife management activities including: Wetland management, prairie management, native prairie seeding, food plot development, edge feathering, tree/brush removal, spraying, disking, mowing, etc. using large farm machinery, chainsaws, and other hand tools.
• Assist with the training/direction of inmate workers, volunteers and other staff in the cleaning harvest and planting of native plant material.
• Prescribed fire implementation on native grass and wildflower fields for seed production and harvest.  This duty will require fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities.  Performance of these tasks will require the employee to follow the Iowa DNR Prescribed Fire Policy and periodically work under physically stressful and adverse conditions.  Proficiency in the use of basic wildland firefighting equipment will be needed.
• Assist with seed propagation and care of native plants in the greenhouse.
• General area maintenance involving mowing, sign posting, fence building, fence removal, tree/brush control, noxious weed control etc. These activities require the ability to use simple power equipment; drills, saws, hand tools, chain saws, trimmers, small mowers etc.
• Safe operation of unit equipment such as tractor, combine, native grass drill, and seed cleaning equipment.
• Special assignments may require some overnight travel as part of a crew, to accomplish large scale fence removal, fence building or tree removal projects outside of the assigned unit counties. These assignments will require the ability to work well with others, work out of doors under all types of weather conditions, and to withstand physically demanding work, i.e., lifting, bending and hauling.         

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• College graduate with a degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, or another closely related natural resource field.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to travel on overnight duties.
• Work with minimal supervision; demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Able to work alone or as part of a team, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.
• Exhibit honesty and integrity. Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT BENEFITS:

• Proven pathway to full-time careers — this position has a strong track record of placement into permanent roles with DNR, Pheasants Forever, and other conservation organizations.
• Build valuable, hands-on technical skills while working alongside experienced DNR professionals.
• Grow your professional network and form lasting connections across the conservation field.
• Gain real-world, outdoor experience doing meaningful, on-the-ground conservation work.
• Experience a unique dual-agency role, with opportunities to engage in trainings, collaboration, and annual staff meetings with both DNR and Pheasants Forever.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE:
Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package. Employee Benefit Package information can be found here: Employee Benefit Summary pdf