Wildlife Biologist II

Sowela; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

12 paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources seeks a Wildlife Biologist II in Altura, MN. The role focuses on habitat management, population oversight, and habitat restoration across grassland, savanna, wetlands, and forests with prescribed burning and program administration.

Responsibilities include coordinating with staff, leading land and habitat projects, and ensuring public access aligns with policy. A moderate fitness test is required within 6 months and annually.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced level degree in wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis.
• Transcript requirement: minimum three wildlife management courses and related subjects.
• Two years of professional wildlife/habitat management experience.
• Ability to become FFT2 within twelve months.
• Knowledge of wildlife identification, habitats, and plant life.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to develop proposals using available resources.
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and mapping software.
• GIS/GPS education or experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage habitat and wildlife areas to enhance resources and public use.
• Lead land acquisition, easements, and environmental reviews for habitat health.
• Implement Cooperative Farming Program in WWMA per policies.
• Lead wildlife population management aligned with Section goals.
• Communicate work and needs to garner public understanding and support.
• Perform fiscal and administrative duties for the Wildlife Area.

Skills

Wildlife knowledge

Habitat management

GIS/GPS

Writing skills

Communication

Project proposals

Computer software

Equipment operation

FFT2 readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife

Transcript required

Advanced wildlife degree (preferred)

Tools

GIS Software

Mapping software

Data management tools

Job description

Wildlife Biologist II
Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Intermediate - Wildlife
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 96892
• Location: Altura
• Telework Eligible: Yes - One day per pay period
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/18/2026
• Closing Date: 10/08/2026
• 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 - Intermittent Travel for meetings
• Salary Range: $26.89 - $39.22 /hourly; $56,146 - $81,891/annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE
• FLSA: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

Job Summary

The DNR is currently seeking a Wildlife Biologist II in Altura, MN. This position exists to manage, restore, enhance, and/or protect wildlife habitat and native plant communities found on the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area (WWMA); to evaluate, manage, enhance and/or protect wildlife populations; to protect, manage, enhance and/or restore rare and declining wildlife and plant species for their intrinsic values and long-term benefits to the people of Minnesota; and to maintain and/or develop wildlife management area facilities for public hunting, fishing and recreation. Primary emphasis will be on grassland, savanna, wetland and forest habitat management projects, prescribed burning, administration of Cooperative Farming Program, and to aid the Area Wildlife Supervisor.

Responsibilities include:

Perform all job responsibilities in a manner that supports a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees. Encourage a diverse workplace, treat others with respect, and contribute to work groups. Support the overall mission of the DNR

Assist with implementation of habitat management, facility development, and maintenance in the Wildlife Area so that wildlife resources and public use are enhanced.

Lead efforts to protect wildlife and habitat through land acquisition, easement acquisition, natural heritage reviews, and environmental reviews so that healthy and diverse wildlife habitats are maintained on the landscape.

Lead implementation of the Cooperative Farming Program on the WMA in a manner that is consistent with DNR and Legislative policies and directives and meets the Section of Wildlife goals and objectives.

Lead implementation of wildlife population management programs in a manner that is consistent with the Section of Wildlife goals and objectives.

Effectively communicate Area and Regional wildlife management work and needs in order to garner public understanding and support for wildlife management programs.

Perform fiscal and other administrative activities for the Wildlife Area so that priority habitat and facility management activities are completed according to policy/specifications and within desired time schedules. Assist with financial and other reporting. Demonstrate accountability to department personnel and interested stakeholders by adhering to department policies and guidelines.

This job requires the ability to pass a moderate fitness test based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Work Capacity within 6 months of your start date and then on an annual basis. The test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound pack within 30 minutes.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

• Bachelor's or advanced level degree in wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis.
• Transcript requirement:
  • A minimum of three (3) courses directly related to wildlife management/biology.
  • One (1) course in each: chemistry or physics; statistics; communication; and ecology.
  • At least four (4) additional wildlife or ecology, or related courses, such as animal or plant taxonomy, comparative anatomy or physiology, soils or geology, mammalogy, ornithology, parasitology, etc.
• Two (2) years of professional level (e.g., NR Specialist) wildlife or habitat management experience sufficient to implement wildlife and habitat management, facility development, and maintenance duties in a Wildlife Area.
• Ability to become National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualified through completing required coursework and field training within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Technical knowledge of wildlife species identification, habitat relationships, food habits, animal behavior, parasites and disease, life histories, and reproductive potential. Along with knowledge sufficient to identify common terrestrial and aquatic plants.
• Writing skills sufficient to communicate work programs, project proposals, accomplishment reports, survey results, hunting season data, and correspondence.
• Communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate and present complex information to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to develop and implement project proposals using available, staff, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to use various computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, data base, and mapping software.
• GIS/GPS education or experience.
• Knowledge of how to safely operate, transport, and conduct maintenance on equipment including hand and power tools. Must be able to demonstrate ability, pass all required training, and complete all position task books for (but not limited to) 4WD trucks, trailers, boats, snowmobile, ATV, UTV, tractors with attachments, chain saw, brush saw, and tracked vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Wildlife Biology or related field.
• Qualified as a:
  • Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)
  • MFIRB (Minnesota Firing Boss – Minnesota DNR standards) or State/NWCG equivalent.
  • MRXB3 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 3) or State/NWCG equivalent.
  • MRXB2 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 2) or State/NWCG equivalent
• Knowledge of citizen participation, conflict resolution, and negotiation techniques.
• Knowledge of census/survey techniques and their limitations.
• Knowledge of wildlife damage management, hunting and trapping traditions, methods, and regulations.
• Field experience with standard prairie, forest and wetland restoration/management practices and prescribed burning.
• Experience in writing contracts for wildlife habitat or facility projects.
• Experience in work planning, directing, and supervising contractors or work crews.
• Ability to multitask, lead, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Certified as a licensed applicator of pesticides for invasive species management.
• Ability to fly in small aircraft at low altitudes as an observer in aerial surveys.
• Experience with operating farm and other equipment, trucks, trailers, boats, and ATVs, along with basic equipment maintenance and repair.
• Experience with conservation grazing
• Experience with wildlife food plots.
• A working knowledge of other disciplines such as fisheries, forestry, engineering, soil conservation, and hydrology to guide the development of partnerships and projects.
• Knowledge of state and federal rare species and how it applies to habitat management.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

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. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Christine Johnson at [e-mail] or 507-796-3283.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Claudia Marquez-Aguirre at [e-mail].

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted