Wildlife Management Intern

At the DNR, we are committed to the conservation and management of the state's natural resources for outdoor recreation, economic development, and a sustainable quality of life.
Apply with us and find your path.
Job Details Working Title: Wildlife Management Intern Job Class: Intern Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers Date Posted: 01/02/2024 Closing Date: 01/31/2024 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; Travel required to field site.
Salary Range: $19 / hourly Classified Status: Non-Status Bargaining Unit/Union: 223 - Non-Employee/Unrep Anticipated Start Date: May 2024 Anticipated End Date: August 2024 FLSA Status: Nonexempt Telework Eligible: No Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.
The work you’ll do is more than just a job.
Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
Job Summary **To Ensure Consideration You Must Follow The Instructions In The How To Apply Section Below.
** The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life.
We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.
This posting will be used to fill up to 10 internships in the following locations: Roseau River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Thief Lake WMA (2 positions), Karlstad, Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, Aitkin, Marshall, Sibley, and Windom.
Housing is only available in the following locations: Karlstad, Roseau River WMA, Thief Lake WMA, and Windom.
These internships are intended for students majoring in the field of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or Conservation Biology.
The primary responsibility of the summer interns is to assist wildlife personnel in the implementation of wildlife habitat and facility management programs and activities on State Wildlife Management Areas.
Interns must be comfortable working alone, or conversely as part of a team, often in remote locations under less-than-ideal field conditions.
Certain tasks will include strenuous physical labor including heavy lifting and walking on soft or uneven ground.
Work often occurs in inclement weather, including hot summer days working without shade.
The use of various hand tools, small equipment, and herbicide application equipment will be required after proper training and certification.
Driving will be involved including the pulling and backing of trailers.
Some internships may require the intern to work four 10-hour days.
These positions may be required to work nights on occasion.
The anticipated dates for these positions are mid-May or early June through late August.
The primary emphases for the internships are: Habitat Management – restoration and enhancement of prairie, forest, and wetland habitats.
Specific tasks in the following habitats may include and not limited to: Prairie management – assist staff in seeding cropland to native vegetation; hand or mechanical collection of prairie seed; identify location of terrestrial invasive plant species; mechanical or chemical control of terrestrial invasive plant species; control of woody vegetation; fence maintenance to support conservation grazing.
Forest management – assist staff in seeding cropland to native vegetation; assist staff with identification and marking of forest habitat enhancement projects; identify locations of terrestrial invasive plant species; mechanical or chemical control of terrestrial invasive plant species.
Wetland Management – inspect and maintain water control structures, assist with shallow lake surveys, assist with topographic surveys related to wetland development projects or maintain waterfowl nest structures.
WMA Inventory and Data Management – Utilize tablet computers and GPS to conduct inventories of invasive species, WMA user facilities and habitat management units.
Enter and upload field data using specialized desktop computer applications and Geographic Information Systems.
Facility Management – boundary and parking lot posting; maintenance of wood routed signs; removal of old barbed wire fence; building site cleanup; assist with developing new user facilities; assist in keeping DNR buildings, grounds, and vehicles clean and organized.
Population Management – conduct wildlife surveys as directed, assist with waterfowl banding (one to two days per summer), and animal disease surveillance.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements: You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement.
The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.
AND Majoring in one of the following areas: Natural Resources, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or Conservation Biology.
Please contact us if you are unsure if your major qualifies.
Ability and willingness to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions (hot, wet, mud, bugs, etc.
).
Ability to lift and carry equipment.
Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.
Preferred Qualifications Coursework in wildlife management (e.
g.
, wildlife population dynamics, wildlife habitat, wildlife techniques), natural resource management, conservation biology, or related courses with a grade of C or better.
Experience identifying terrestrial and aquatic plants.
Coursework in Geographic Information System (GIS).
Safety, CPR, and/or First Aid training.
Experience with outdoor field work.
Additional Requirements This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
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.
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 Application Details How to Apply Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page.
If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.
mn.
us.
For additional information about the application process, go to https://www.
mn.
gov/careers.
Within your application, submit two attachments.
In the ‘Resume’ attachment, include a copy of your resume.
In the ‘Cover Letter’ attachment, include a copy of your academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
These two attachments must be in either .
doc or .
pdf format.
If you have questions about the position, contact David Trauba at david.
trauba@state.
mn.
us or 507-233-1229.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.
DNR@state.
mn.
us.
Why Work for Us Diverse Workforce We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve.
The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.
A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found: 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule Comprehensive Benefits Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony.
As an employee, your benefits may include: Public pension plan Training and professional development Paid vacation and sick leave 11 paid holidays each year Paid parental leave Low-cost medical and dental coverage Prescription drug coverage Vision coverage Wellness programs and resources Employer paid life insurance Short-term and long-term disability Health care spending and savings accounts Dependent care spending account Tax-deferred compensation Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Tuition reimbursement Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers.
The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.
mn.
us and indicate what assistance is needed.