Wildlife Management Specialist
Kellerton · On-site
About this role
Work Location:
Iowa DNR Grand River Wildlife Unit (Ringgold County)
2991 State Highway 2
Kellerton, IA 50133
Application deadline: July 12, 2026
Salary: $17.00 per hour
Typical Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – 40 hours per week
Anticipated Start Date: 2-4 weeks post successful job offer
End Date: One year from start date
JOB DESCRIPTION: This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The PF Wildlife Management Specialist is expected to promote and implement the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) in addition to performing a variety of maintenance and technical tasks at the wildlife management unit. The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. The employee in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. The job duties of this position include general wildlife management activities on State owned wildlife areas within the assigned unit counties. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties. Click here to view a video of what typical job duties may include.
Examples of typical job duties may include:
Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package. Employee Benefit Package information can be found here: Employee Benefit Summary pdf
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess or be able to acquire a pesticide applicator’s license and S130-190 basic firefighter training certification, special requirements shall be met within 90 days of hire if not currently possessed. Successful applicant will also be encouraged to obtain a commercial driver’s license, Iowa DNR chainsaw safety certification, and first aid & bloodborne pathogen training.
If you have additional questions, please contact Brian Hickman, SW District Supervisor, at 712-250-0518, or [email protected].
Iowa DNR Grand River Wildlife Unit (Ringgold County)
2991 State Highway 2
Kellerton, IA 50133
Application deadline: July 12, 2026
Salary: $17.00 per hour
Typical Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – 40 hours per week
Anticipated Start Date: 2-4 weeks post successful job offer
End Date: One year from start date
JOB DESCRIPTION: This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The PF Wildlife Management Specialist is expected to promote and implement the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) in addition to performing a variety of maintenance and technical tasks at the wildlife management unit. The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. The employee in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. The job duties of this position include general wildlife management activities on State owned wildlife areas within the assigned unit counties. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties. Click here to view a video of what typical job duties may include.
Examples of typical job duties may include:
- 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.
- Prescribed fire implementation for ecological purposes. This duty will require fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities. Performance of these tasks will require the employee to periodically work under physically stressful and adverse conditions. Proficiency in the use of basic wildland firefighting equipment will be needed.
- Follow up on enrolled IHAP sites, contracting and ensuring that planned work has been completed.
- Contact targeted landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and follow up with interested landowners.
- Wildlife Surveys & Monitoring including: waterfowl banding, deer spotlight routes, August roadside surveys, spring bird point counts, fall quail covey counts, chronic wasting disease sampling, etc. Collecting of biological data occasionally will require early or late in the day work scheduling.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package. Employee Benefit Package information can be found here: Employee Benefit Summary pdf
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess or be able to acquire a pesticide applicator’s license and S130-190 basic firefighter training certification, special requirements shall be met within 90 days of hire if not currently possessed. Successful applicant will also be encouraged to obtain a commercial driver’s license, Iowa DNR chainsaw safety certification, and first aid & bloodborne pathogen training.
If you have additional questions, please contact Brian Hickman, SW District Supervisor, at 712-250-0518, or [email protected].
Pheasants Forever, Inc is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.
Company at a glance
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, “The Habitat Organization” has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 28.8 million acres.
At the heart of Pheasants Forever is the unique grassroots system of fundraising and project development that allows members to see the direct result of their contributions. Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever, empower county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent - the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.
Founded1982
Team Size201-500 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryEnvironmental Services
Location
Kellerton, Iowa, United States
Websitepheasantsforever.org
LinkedInLinkedIn
Top Benefits
- Competitive Benefits Package
- Career Advancement Pathway
- Professional Networking
- Hands-on Technical Training
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