Fisheries Division Chief

North Dakota Game and Fish Department; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 88,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

North Dakota Game and Fish Department seeks a senior leader to oversee the Fisheries Division, guiding policy, programs, and regulatory activities to meet departmental objectives.

The role requires extensive budget management and the ability to liaison with the public, media, and stakeholders. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for success in a dynamic, regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in fisheries or wildlife management, biology, natural or earth science, or another related field, and eight years of professional experience; or a master's degree with six years, including supervisory/management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and administrative oversight for the Fisheries Division.
• Direct development, implementation, and evaluation of fisheries policies, programs, and regulatory activities.
• Advise Director on fisheries issues, legislation, and program needs; coordinate proclamations and regulatory changes.

Skills

Fisheries management

Staff supervision

Budget planning

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in fisheries or wildlife management, biology, natural or earth science

Master's degree in one of the fields listed above

Tools

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Location: Bismarck, ND

Salary Range: $7,885 - $13,140/mo.; pay depending on experience

Closing Date: October 18, 2026

Status: Full-time

Type of Recruitment: Internal/External

Summary Of Work

Provides leadership, direction, and administrative oversight for the Department's Fisheries Division. Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of fisheries policies, programs, strategic initiatives, and regulatory activities to achieve Department and Division objectives. Advises the Director and Department leadership on fisheries-related issues, legislation, administrative rules, regulations, and program needs, and coordinates the development and implementation of fishing proclamations and related regulatory changes.

Serves as a primary representative and spokesperson for fisheries-related matters, maintaining effective communication with the public, media, fishing organizations, and other stakeholders. Develops and implements communication and outreach strategies, responds to public inquiries, and ensures fisheries information and issues are effectively communicated both internally and externally.

Provides fiscal and budgetary leadership for the Fisheries Division, including development and administration of the biennial budget, monitoring expenditures, allocating resources, evaluating funding requests, and preparing budget adjustments and enhancement requests. Advises the Director and Management Team regarding financial needs, priorities, and resource allocation.

Provides supervision and personnel management for Fisheries Division staff, including establishing and evaluating position accountabilities and performance measures, reviewing job descriptions, conducting performance appraisals, supporting employee development and career planning, and ensuring staff compliance with Department policies and procedures.

Monitors progress toward program objectives and performance measures and identifies opportunities to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and delivery of fisheries programs. Promotes collaboration among divisions and with external partners and ensures Fisheries Division activities are consistent with applicable state law, administrative rules, Department policies, and strategic priorities. Provides leadership, direction, and administrative oversight for the Department's Fisheries Division. Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of fisheries policies, programs, strategic initiatives, and regulatory activities to achieve Department and Division objectives. Advises the Director and Department leadership on fisheries-related issues, legislation, administrative rules, regulations, and program needs, and coordinates the development and implementation of fishing proclamations and related regulatory changes.

Serves as a primary representative and spokesperson for fisheries-related matters, maintaining effective communication with the public, media, fishing organizations, and other stakeholders. Develops and implements communication and outreach strategies, responds to public inquiries, and ensures fisheries information and issues are effectively communicated both internally and externally.

Provides fiscal and budgetary leadership for the Fisheries Division, including development and administration of the biennial budget, monitoring expenditures, allocating resources, evaluating funding requests, and preparing budget adjustments and enhancement requests. Advises the Director and Management Team regarding financial needs, priorities, and resource allocation.

Provides supervision and personnel management for Fisheries Division staff, including establishing and evaluating position accountabilities and performance measures, reviewing job descriptions, conducting performance appraisals, supporting employee development and career planning, and ensuring staff compliance with Department policies and procedures.

Monitors progress toward program objectives and performance measures and identifies opportunities to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and delivery of fisheries programs. Promotes collaboration among divisions and with external partners and ensures Fisheries Division activities are consistent with applicable state law, administrative rules, Department policies, and strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in fisheries or wildlife management, biology, natural or earth science, or another field related to the program area, and eight years of related professional experience, including at least four years of supervisory or management experience; or a master's degree in one of the fields listed above and six years of related professional experience, including at least three years of supervisory or management experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The successful candidate must have:

• Demonstrated experience applying fisheries management concepts and principles.
• Experience supervising professional and support staff.
• Experience with planning, preparation, administration, and monitoring of detailed budgets.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and a high level of responsibility.
• The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, private landowners, natural resource professionals, government officials, organizations, and other stakeholders.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with wildlife and fisheries management professionals and other Department staff.
• The ability to work independently, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and adapt effectively to a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing to travel as required.

Requires satisfactory completion of a background check.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

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For information about the position or for persons needing accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Melissa Long, HR Services Manager at 701-328-6318.

For troubles or questions about applying on the online system, contact [e-mail].

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant's ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or with an employee's ability to perform essential duties of the job. It is the applicant's responsibility to make known any needs for accommodation. ND Relay Number 1-800-366-6888

As employers, the State of North Dakota and political subdivisions prohibit smoking in all places of state and political subdivision employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.