"Alerted.org

Working Title: Large Lake Specialist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Senior - Fisheries

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 88959

+ **Location** : Walker

+ **Telework Eligible** : No

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

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

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

+ **Date Posted** : 09/30/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 10/20/2025

+ **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:** $29.25 - $42.94 / hourly; $61,074 - $89,658 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

+ **FLSA Status** : Exempt - Professional

+ 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.

This position exists to plan, direct, implement and evaluate the Large Lake Monitoring Program on Leech Lake, and assist with other fish management activities in the Walker area, with direction from the Area Fisheries Supervisor. This position serves as the program leader for the Large Lake Program on Leech Lake and, in the absence of the Area Supervisor, may assume leadership of other programs as needed. Leech Lake is a significant statewide resource. It is the third largest lake within the State of Minnesota and supports the most diverse fishery of the eleven lakes monitored by the Large Lake Program.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in biology, fisheries, or closely associated area required. Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review **after the posting close date** .

Transcript requirements:

A. Fisheries and aquatic sciences courses. A minimum of 4 courses, for a total of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours. Of the 4courses, at least 2 must be directly related to fisheries science, and at least 1 must cover principles of fisheries science and management.

B. Other biological sciences courses that, when added to the preceding courses, total 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

C. Physical sciences courses. Fifteen semester or 23 quarter hours.

D. Mathematics and statistics courses. Six semester or 9 quarter hours, including 1 college algebra and 1statistics course or 2statistics courses.

E. Communications courses. Nine semester or 13 quarter hours (3 semester or 5 quarter hours may be taken in communications intensive courses if officially designated as such by the university or college).

*To receive credit for coursework, letter grades awarded must be 'C-' or higher.

**Certification by the American Fisheries Society as an Associate Fisheries Professional or a Certified Fisheries Professional will be accepted in lieu of the required coursework.

Three (3) years of experience in leading fisheries management programs or fisheries research applying the principles and techniques of fisheries science.

Direct field experience working on lakes, large rivers, or large reservoirs including fish sampling from a boat and shoreline using standard sampling techniques.

Experience with standard fisheries survey techniques including fish sampling, fish aging, water quality/limnological sampling, completing fisheries data management and analysis, fish identification and statistics.

Knowledge of creel survey theory and methodology.

Communication and public relations skills to effectively lead a team in the field as well as explain a technical information to both lay and technical audiences.

Ability to maintain and operate equipment, such as boats, motors, trailers, etc.

Conflict resolution skills and interpersonal skills sufficient to work as a productive team member on difficult environmental or fisheries management issues including acting as a fisheries representative at interagency meetings.

Ability to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.

Computer literacy, including knowledge of database management, data analysis, spreadsheets, and word processing.

Preferred Qualifications

Exceptional interpersonal skills are necessary to effectively deal with a wide range of controversial and non-controversial issues involving Tribal governments, lake/resort owner groups, tourism boards, watershed districts, local government units and the public.

Ability and skill to communicate technical decisions and recommendations to peers, department managers, and the public as well as give presentations to a large audience of subject experts and non-subject experts.

Experience with design, implementation, analysis, and reporting for creel surveys and large lake fish surveying techniques and analysis.

Experience with maintenance and operation of watercraft exceeding 20 feet in length and outboard motors exceeding 100 hp.

High level of technical experience in fish management and/or fish research programs including experience independently designing, implementing, managing, and reporting fisheries investigations and/or monitoring programs.

Advanced data collection management, and analysis skills including expertise in GIS, GPS, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, and R.

Strong technical writing skills demonstrating the ability to prepare work summaries, technical reports, news releases, brochures, and factsheets for a variety of audiences from technical to the general public.

Experience writing fish survey reports, fisheries management plans, and/or scientific publications.

Ability to supervise the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of appropriate implementation strategies to ensure protection of fish, wildlife, native plant resources, and habitats.

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. All job offers are contingent upon passing 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.