"Alerted.org

Working Title: Temporary Wildlife Research Biologist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Intermediate - Wildlife Research

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 89054

+ **Location** : Grand Rapids

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes

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

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Temporary

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

+ **Date Posted** : 09/20/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 10/10/2025

+ **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

+ **Salary Range:** $26.43 - $38.55 / hourly; $55,185 - $80,492 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Unclassified

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

+ **Anticipated Start Date** : 11/03/2025

+ **End Date** : 11/02/2028

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Wildlife Research Biologist to be based in Grand Rapids, MN, with fieldwork throughout norther MN and occasionally in adjacent areas of Canada. This position exists to perform professional wildlife research work under the direction of the Bear and Ungulate research scientists in the Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group to plan, organize, conduct, and report findings from original research related to the management of bear, elk, and moose populations and habitats. This position may also assist staff to organize, maintain, and operate laboratories under the responsibility of the Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group. This position is anticipated to start in November of 2025 and will end in November of 2028.

Responsibilities include:

+ To design, organize, plan, and coordinate original research on wildlife populations in collaboration with the Research Scientists so that the ecology and population dynamics of bears, elk, and moose can be better understood, and the management of the resource can be improved.

+ To assist Research Scientists and other personnel in the field to capture bear, elk, and moose; collect observational data; and obtain biological samples and data for wildlife research and surveys. Occasional travel to Canada for field work may be needed if collared animals move into Canada and give birth or die there.

+ To collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data as directed by Research Scientists so that hypotheses related to the populations and habitats of bears, elk, and moose can be tested and conclusions can be drawn.

+ To report on research findings by authoring and/or co-authoring scientific articles, annual research summaries, and progress reports with the Research Scientists and by giving oral presentations so that findings can be utilized, within Minnesota and internationally, by researchers, wildlife managers, administrators, the media, and the public.

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.

Occasionally lifting articles such as 50-pound bags of feed, anesthetized mammals (as part of a team), and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls. This job will require carrying backpacks weighing up to 50lbs while snowshoeing long distances (1-2 miles), and/or dragging carcasses of deceased elk or moose calves (50-200 lbs.) on a sled. This job will require listening to a VHF receiver to locate animals and transmitters with radiotelemetry without disturbing them.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Master's Degree (thesis) in wildlife ecology or management, or closely related area.

+ Working knowledge of the ecology and management or conservation of terrestrial vertebrates.

+ Demonstrated ability to organize and conduct management-oriented wildlife research and data analysis.

+ Experience conducting many phases of field work, including capturing and handling of live animals, collecting and archiving biological samples, aerial and terrestrial radio telemetry, and wildlife surveys.

+ Knowledge of vegetation and habitat sampling methods and the identification of plants, shrubs, and trees that occur in Minnesota.

+ Proficiency in computing and data management, such as knowledge of databases, GIS, spreadsheets, and statistical programs (such as R) sufficient to manage data input, retrieval and compilation, design simple computer programs, maintain databases and train others to use these systems.

+ Skill at building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders and navigating controversial topics in a professional and respectful manner.

+ Experience leading the work of others.

+ Demonstrated ability to safely operate a variety of equipment, including, 4-wheel-drive pickups, snowmobiles, ATVs/UTVs and trailers, in challenging field conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Demonstrated research and/or management experience with bear, elk, deer, and/or moose.

+ Experience with radiotelemetry or GPS projects involving bear, elk, deer, and/or moose, including radio-collar testing, developing capture and monitoring protocols, bear den location and responding to mortality events.

+ Experience developing and following protocols for surveying bear, elk, deer, and/or moose in forest and transition habitats both by ground (vehicle) and the air (helicopter or airplane).

+ Demonstrated proficiency with Program R and ArcGIS Pro.

+ Experience leading field crews for 2+ seasons in remote areas and/or difficult field conditions.

+ Demonstrated ability to think critically and develop research questions from field data.

+ Demonstrated record of publication of research results in the peer-reviewed literature, as lead author of at least 1 publication in a wildlife management-oriented journal (e.g., Journal of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Society Bulletin).

+ Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in written form with diverse audiences, including both lay and peer groups, sufficient to document and disseminate completed research results.

Additional Requirements

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

This position requires the ability to cross the border into Canada to conduct Elk-related research, therefore a passport is required.

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.