Biologist II – Wisconsin

Ducks Unlimited; New Richmond (WI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. is seeking a motivated Biologist to join the Great Lakes Initiative Team in Wisconsin.

You will collaborate with biologists, engineers, and land protection professionals to identify, develop, fund and implement coastal and inland wetland restoration projects to support waterfowl and wetlands conservation across Northeast Wisconsin. The role requires field and office work, grants experience, and strong GIS skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience developing and managing wetland protection/restoration projects.
• Experience writing funding proposals and managing grants.
• Strong wetland ecology background with restoration techniques and monitoring.
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projects and budgets.
• Excellent collaboration and leadership skills with staff and partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and implement wetland projects on public and private lands.
• Lead wetland restoration planning and project development including partners and landowners.
• Identify funding opportunities, map, assess sites, and assist with restoration design and permitting.
• Coordinate with agency partners, staff, consultants, and regulators for timely delivery.
• Develop relationships with municipalities, agencies, NGOs, and landowners.
• Prepare and manage grants and funding proposals for habitat work.
• Collaborate to develop habitat programs and conservation strategies.
• Support the conservation program with staff to achieve mission goals.
• Engage with Ecosystem Services team to advance nature-based solutions.
• Represent DU on working groups and support policy objectives.
• Coordinate with Communications, Administrative, and Development teams for outreach and budget needs.

Skills

Wetland restoration

Grant writing

Project management

GIS coordination

Collaboration & leadership

Education

B.S. in Wildlife Biology or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Online

ArcPro

Field Maps

Job description

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the world’s leading wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, seeks a highly motivated biologist to join our Great Lakes Initiative Team. As aDU Biologist, you will work with a team of biologists, engineers, and land protection professionals to identify, develop, fund and implement coastal and inland wetland restoration, enhancement and protection projects in Northeast Wisconsin to support DU’s waterfowl and wetlands conservation mission.

If you have a passion for wetlands, and the waterfowl and wildlife species that they support, and want to actively contribute to conservation that makes a lasting impact on the environment, then this is the job for you!

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will work closely with DU staff, conservation partners, landowners, and funding agencies to advance the conservation of wetland and associated upland habitats. This will require coordinating with both internal and external stakeholders to establish priorities and identify new wetland conservation projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, be a self-starter, that is highly motivated with a strong sense of initiative and adaptability that can work independently and as part of a team to fulfill DU’s waterfowl habitat conservation objectives within Wisconsin. This Biologist will work alongside the Green Bay Regional Biologist to plan and implement multi-program responsibilities, including private and public land programs with primary focus on coastal wetland restoration/enhancement in Green Bay. The successful candidate will be responsible for project development, funding, and management including the following duties:

• Develop, coordinate, and implement wetland projects on both public and private lands.
• Lead all aspects of wetland restoration planning, project development, and implementation, including identification and coordination with partners and landowners, identifying/applying for funding, mapping, site assessment, assisting our engineering team with restoration design, permitting, implementation oversite, contract management, project accounting, partner coordination and reporting.
• Collaborate and coordinate with agency partners and other stakeholder groups as well as DU biological and engineering staff, consultants, and regulatory agencies to ensure timely and on-budget delivery of projects.
• Develop/maintain relationships with conservation partners including municipalities, state and federal agencies, NGOs, and private landowners that promote and lead to the successful implementation of wetland conservation efforts.
• Write, submit and administer grants and funding proposals to various agencies, foundations, corporations, and other sources to secure project funds for habitat conservation work, including development of project cost estimates.
• Collaborate with DU’s science and development teams and conservation partners to develop and manage habitat conservation programs including, but not limited to, strategic conservation plans, landowner outreach and education, conservation easement projects, facilitated land acquisitions, and the development and implementation of additional conservation strategies and opportunities.
• Work with the relevant staff to build and implement an effective, sustainable conservation program and develop a coordinated conservation strategy that supports the mission of Ducks Unlimited.
• Collaborate with DU’s Ecosystem Services team to identify and advance nature-based solutions for wetland and community resilience.
• Represent DU on various working groups, committees, partnerships, and task forces. Support state and regional public policy objectives.
• Coordinate with DU staff including Communications staff regarding public outreach and media needs; Administrative staff regarding the smooth operation of programs and budget management; and Development staff to incorporate fundraising strategies into the Wisconsin conservation program.
• Other duties as assigned that advance the mission of Ducks Unlimited.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, salaried position. Working hours will be a balance of office and field work, with the approximate allocation dependent on scheduling, seasonal priorities, and other factors. The position is predominantly office-based but does require periods of travel including overnight and out-of-state trips.

This position will report to the Green Bay Regional Biologist for the Great Lakes Initiative. This position is remote work eligible with a preferred co-location in a partner office (TBD). As a remote employee, you may be required to come in at any time, with reasonable notice, into a DU office (or other designated location) for meetings and other business needs.

To maintain project timelines, we have a preferred start date on or before November 1, 2026.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related natural resources field with 3-5+ years of directly related experience developing and managing wetland protection, restoration and enhancement projects.
• Experience writing funding proposals and managing grants.
• Strong background in wetland ecology and management with an emphasis on restoration, waterfowl, and other wetland dependent birds with knowledge of and experience with restoration techniques, modeling, hydrology and restoration monitoring.
• Detail oriented and well organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and budgets.
• Excellent collaboration and leadership skills, grounded in a commitment to collaboration with and support of staff.
• Confidence to create strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and community members and the written and verbal communication skills to work with a wide range of people.
• Proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, and Field Maps) and familiarity of state and Federal wetland conservation programs, policies, and laws is preferred.

Benefits/Pay

• Salary will be based on experience and education.
• DU offers an exceptional benefit package, including comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and ten paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.