Aquatic Plant Management Contract Worker

Wildlife Management; Boone (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Workers’ compensation

General liability protection

Unemployment insurance

Job summary

Wildlife Management Institute in Boone, IA seeks a full-time Aquatic Plant Management Contract Worker for a one-year term. You will lead field surveys, assist with herbicide applications, and support laboratory and SOP development for aquatic plant management across Iowa lakes.

The role requires a biological degree, a valid driver's license, and readiness to work outdoors and irregular hours. Benefits provided by WMI are included.

Qualifications

• Degree in Fisheries, Ecology, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license and 18+ years old.
• Ability to work weekends/nights/outdoors.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads.
• Ability to work independently and with the public.

Responsibilities

• Conduct aquatic plant surveys and AIS surveillance.
• Interpret BioBase mapping to guide management strategies.
• Supervise field operations and seasonal staff.
• Assist herbicide applications for curly leaf and brittle naiad.
• Coordinate lab processing of turion samples.
• Develop SOPs for BioBase and update BMPs.
• Monitor water quality during Alum projects.

Skills

Field work

Driver's license

Physical endurance

Independence

Education

Degree in Fisheries, Ecology, Natural Resource Management or related biological discipline

Tools

BioBase software

Field surveying equipment

Job description

# Aquatic Plant Management Contract Worker**Location:** Boone, IAThe Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wildlife Management Institute are seeking a dedicated professional for the full-time, permanent, one year term, position of Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Contract Worker. This role is essential for the long-term monitoring, surveillance, and strategic management of aquatic vegetation across Iowa's public lakes. The Contract Worker provides leadership and technical expertise for the APM program, ensuring the health and ecological balance of our aquatic environments through year-round field work and assistance with seasonal staff management.The successful applicant will be an employee of Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). WMI is a professional conservation organization that works to improve the foundation of wildlife management. Their mission is: “dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and professional management of North America’s wildlife and other natural resources.”## Leadership and Seasonal Team OversightAssist Aquatic Plant Management Biologist and Aquatic Plant Management specialist with directions for three temporary employees, including overseeing routine tasks and field operations to maintain safety standards and data accuracy.## Technical Operations & Research* Assist with comprehensive and presence/absence style aquatic plant surveys and perform extensive evaluations following the fall and winter seasons. Assist with interpretation of BioBase mapping to monitor vegetation patterns and guide management strategies.* Conduct presence and absence surveillance surveys for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) while collaborating with fisheries management teams to align summer aquatic plant comprehensive surveys based on their comprehensive fisheries sampling.* Assist with spring curly leaf management using herbicides* Assist with late summer brittle naiad management using herbicides* Supervise the gathering and lab processing of turion samples for long-term monitoring at established study sites and facilitate the expansion of these efforts into new project waters.* Assist with developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the use of BioBase software. Manage map adjustments for reprocessing refinements for reprocessing and head the modernization of aquatic plant sampling methodologies.* Assist with essential updates to the *Aquatic Plant Best Management Practices for Iowa’s Public Lakes*.* Assist with winter Sonar (A.S.) applications across 24 high-priority lakes, ensuring accurate FasTEST sampling, maintaining strict Chain of Custody records, and following up on all laboratory analytics.* Assist with water quality monitoring during fall Alum projects in selected lakesThis is a full-time position, one year term with Wildlife Management Institute benefits (i.e., 40 hours/week).## Qualifications* Possess a degree in Fisheries, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or another relevant biological discipline.* Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license* Must be a minimum of 18 years of age* Able to work alone, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.* Able to withstand physically demanding work, including lifting, bending, or hauling* Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers## BenefitsWMI offers health insurance for the employee and employee’s spouse and children, 401(k) retirement benefits, workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits.## To Apply:Send a cover letter, resume, and three references with contact information.**Email:** Send application materials to Jason Euchner, [e-mail] with the subject line \"Aquatic Plant Management Contract Worker” by the application deadline.**Application Deadline:** Preference will be given to applications submitted by November 3rd. Job posting will be removed when filled.Application period close dateWed, 11/04/2026 - 12:00