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Working Title: Wildlife Health Specialist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist - Wildlife

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 86257

+ **Location** : Forest Lake

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Limited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 05/15/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 06/04/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit** : Fish and Wildlife

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes - Up to 25% of the time

+ **Salary Range:** $24.42 - $35.43 / hourly; $50,988 - $73,977 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Unclassified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE

+ **Anticipated Start Date** : 06/24/2025

+ **End Date** : 06/24/2028

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

The DNR is currently seeking a Wildlife Health Specialist in Forest Lake, MN. This position exists to support the Wildlife Health Program throughout Minnesota by assisting with planning, executing, and reporting wildlife health-related surveillance, management, and original research on game species of Minnesota. The incumbent will assist the Wildlife Health staff in developing and evaluating new techniques to monitor wildlife health, respond to disease outbreaks, disseminating advanced technical expertise to resource professionals and the public, and representing the department at meetings

The anticipated dates for this temporary unclassified position are approximately June 2025 through June 2028.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

Responsibilities include:

+ Coordinate and conduct the collection of tissue samples from hunter-killed, opportunistic, and targeted white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and other wildlife species; organize statewide databases; coordinate the samples for chronic wasting disease and other disease and pathogen testing; and provide staff training.

+ Organize, analyze, and interpret disease sampling-data, to ensure accuracy and completeness, so that hypotheses can be tested and conclusions can be drawn to inform our disease management work.

+ Report on wildlife disease program findings by co-authoring scientific articles and research summaries and by oral presentations so that results can be utilized, within Minnesota and internationally, by research scientists, wildlife managers, administrators, the media, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

Transcript Evaluation:

+ A minimum of three (3) courses directly related to wildlife management/biology.

+ One (1) course in each: chemistry or physics; statistics; communication; and ecology.

+ At least four (4) additional wildlife or ecology, or related courses, such as animal or plant taxonomy, comparative anatomy or physiology, soils or geology, mammalogy, ornithology, parasitology, etc.

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis.

Knowledge of biology and ecology sufficient to interpret and analyze data and serve as technical assistant on projects.

Knowledge of wildlife disease sampling techniques.

Knowledge of statistics sufficient to summarize data and conduct preliminary analyses of data properly.

Ability to work in a variety of field situations and at times in a variety of adverse weather and environmental conditions.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in written form sufficient to document and disseminate completed research results to peers and the public.

Interpersonal skills sufficient to collaborate with research partners.

Ability to interpret wildlife and other data sufficient to draw reasonable conclusions.

Experience using Excel and Access to enter, proof, query, and summarize wildlife research data.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Ability to navigate on roads and in remote areas on foot using maps, a compass, and a GPS.

+ Ability to operate and maintain equipment such as ATVs, snowmobiles, and trailers.

+ Experience using Access and Excel for database management.

+ Experience with using ArcGIS.

+ Experience with using telemetry to locate radio-collared animals.

+ Ability to work independently without direct supervision.

+ Experience with chronic wasting disease surveillance and management, including (but not limited to) extracting samples, managing partner sampling and hunter mail-in kit programs, organizing necessary supplies and equipment required at check stations, and shipping samples to diagnostic laboratories following protocols.

+ Experience with conducting field necropsies of ungulates and ungulate anatomy.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

+ Conflict of Interest Review

+ Criminal History Check

+ Education Verification

+ Employment Reference / Records Check

License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.