Statewide Fisheries Programs Leader

State-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a passionate leader to oversee Statewide Fisheries Programs, including Fisheries Research, AIS, and Aquatic Vegetation Management. You will direct scientific operations, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with key regulations while driving innovations in aquatic conservation.

As a core member of the Bureau Management Team, you will supervise 18 permanent staff plus seasonal teams, guide PDQ updates, and coordinate cross-agency and university

Responsibilities

• Direct a large, decentralized workforce of 18 permanent biological staff (including a Biometrician, Biologists, and Technicians) alongside a supplemental team of seasonal workers, temporary staff, and administrative interns across the Fisheries Research, Aquatic Invasive Species, and Aquatic Vegetation Management programs.
• Manage the complete employment lifecycle, administering personnel actions, formal annual performance appraisals, staff performance plans, and complex grievance resolutions at the first step.
• Ensure all personnel practices strictly comply with EEO/AA, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA guidelines.
• Cultivate an innovative, highly productive team environment while rewriting Position Description Questionnaires (PDQs) as needed to reflect the changing competencies and organizational structures of the supervised programs.
• Direct the scientific operations, experimental designs, and field activities for six fisheries research teams, the AIS program, and the Aquatic Vegetation Management program.
• Apply advanced biological principles to evaluate complex ecological data, collaborating with internal DNR staff and university partners to identify and solve major issues impacting Iowa's water quality, habitat, and fisheries.

Job description

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a passionate leader to oversee Statewide Fisheries Programs, including Fisheries Research, AIS, and Aquatic Vegetation Management. You will direct scientific operations, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with key regulations while driving innovations in aquatic conservation.

As a core member of the Bureau Management Team, you will supervise 18 permanent staff plus seasonal teams, guide PDQ updates, and coordinate cross-agency and university