Wildlife Refuge Manager.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Madison (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in South Dakota is seeking a Wildlife Refuge Manager to lead the Eastern South Dakota Wetland Management District Complex, directing operations and conservation programs.

The role emphasizes science-based resource management, partnerships with tribes and communities, budget and staff oversight, and public-use programs to support wildlife and habitats in eastern SD.

Qualifications

• Degree in Zoology, wildlife management, or biology with coursework in zoology and wildlife-related subjects.
• Combination of education and experience may apply per the agency guidelines.
• For current Federal employees, time-in-grade requirements apply and references to SF-50 documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage refuge operations with a focus on science-based resource management.
• Oversee biological and habitat management programs including projects, research, and monitoring.
• Develop long-range plans, land management strategies, and conservation initiatives.
• Build partnerships with tribes, communities, agencies and conservation groups.
• Manage budgets, staffing, and administrative operations for the district.
• Oversee facilities and infrastructure projects supporting refuge operations and access.
• Direct visitor services programs including education, interpretation, and volunteer engagement.
• Supervise a multidisciplinary team to achieve mission objectives.

Skills

Wildlife management

Habitat restoration

Policy development

Education

Degree in Zoology or wildlife management

Job description

Duties

The Wildlife Refuge Manager will help lead the Eastern South Dakota Wetland Management District Complex including the oversight of operations. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and manage overall refuge operations, setting direction for staff and ensuring high-quality, science-based resource management with a focus on administering a network of conservation easements and fee-title waterfowl production areas and national wildlife refuges across eastern South Dakota.
• Oversee biological and habitat management programs, including conservation projects, restoration efforts, research, and monitoring to support wildlife populations and healthy ecosystems.
• Guide the development and implementation of long-range plans, including land management strategies, conservation plans, and resource protection initiatives.
• Build partnerships with tribes, local communities, agencies, and conservation organizations to advance shared resource goals and address complex natural resource issues.
• Manage budgets, staffing needs, and administrative operations, ensuring effective use of resources and sound business practices.
• Oversee facilities and equipment maintenance and guide development of infrastructure projects that support refuge operations and public access.
• Direct visitor services programs, including public use activities, education, interpretation, and volunteer engagement to support safe, meaningful outdoor experiences.
• Supervise and lead a multidisciplinary team, overseeing program performance, budget and resource management, workforce development, and operational excellence to achieve mission objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Education Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Education Requirement

In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at most one of the following:

• Degree: Zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. You must submit transcripts.
• OR-
• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• AND -

Specialized Experience

To qualify, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: carrying out wildlife and habitat management activities, including implementing conservation projects on public lands and the administration of conservation easements; leading natural resource planning or compliance processes, such as drafting or coordinating parts of conservation plans, habitat