administrative assistant

architect

resource manager

wildlife rehabilitation technician

budget manager

Missouri Department of Conservation

I came into the MDC expecting to be a thinking, contributing member of a team, but in reality until you get a salary job, you are essentially manual labor. I've worked both public service jobs and profit driven jobs, and the MDC stands out to me because the management people aren't really managers, they're biologists. They have little people/talent management skill, and no understanding/desire to continously improve the organization because, as its not a profit driven organization, there's no incentive to do better. I tried continually to introduce changes and improvement to established processes, but the culture is that of a good ole boy public service, and all suggestions were seen as unnecessary, and a direct threat to the authority of the manager. It was pretty frustrating working day to day, with no guidance for the week, no priorities, and no investment to improve practices and processes that were clearly laid out by people with subject matter expertise in biological processes, not data/administrative management. There were days where I would sit in the office with zero preexisting task guidance, for up to six hours, just waiting for my biologist to finish a task and line something up for the resource technicians. This happened 2-3 days a week. When I tried to make improvements in this "spare time" I was told that as a veteran I should know how to "be quiet and wait to do what you're told". Bottom line, you will be over qualified and severely underpaid for years before you get a salary job, and be prepared to tolerate mediocrity in leadership and management. Expect to earn advancement based soley on who you know and how long you've been there. Expect minimal effort minimal drive, and manual labor. Avoid if possible, go federal and get a much better deal for your time.

The work is not properly defined in any of the job ads posted for positions. 

Leadership (aka: Management) isn't horrible for the most part but there is no effective communication department wide. Non-sense information is overly provided and the important information is not passed along to lower level employees like the important information is a secret. The leadership can be there if they wouldn't let compliancy get in the way. Not a single person from leadership ask their employees their career goals or how they can help the employee to achieve their goals. They do not want to be concerned with helping employees obtain certifications. 

The workplace culture is no different than any other state agency for Mo. They are all the same. There is peace for a while and then there is drama. The same cycle as everywhere in state government. At times the drama causes a hostile work environment. 

The hardest part of the job isn't the job itself (even if it is under paid). The hardest part of the job is the office politics. 

The most enjoyable part of the job is building relationships with the public during CWD weekend. As well as getting to know the agents that handle the K-9s at the department.

This is a job that will not last (unless your salaried) that have you making close to nothing. work hard to get absolutely no where. Hard work does not pay off. 

You most likely will never even make it to that point where you’re salaried. Over 20 applications 9+ interviews and made close to nothing. 

NO sort of compensation, had to drive my personal vehicle most of the time and they say their core mission and values are this that and the other but it’s actually whatever keeps the money going into their pockets without actually having to do any kind of actual work. The harder you work and better employee you are the less likely you’ll ever stay on. It’s disappointing that they do not want to retain or keep people on that want to work there, want to grow, and they throw them out the door with no notice. 

As an hourly employee, my position and it's hours are budget dependent. There are no benefits at all as an hourly employee including leave time for holidays or being sick. This has many hourly employees coming in on "days off" do find random things to do when the office is empty just to make money. However, I personally don't need a huge salary to live my life, and the work I do and the people I work around make my days very enjoyable and rewarding. I get opportunity to do all sorts of work around the region and take part in any training available to me. Great guidance from higher up salaried employees can be right around the corner from you if you seek out for it. Competition is high for the salaried positions and that's because there are a lot of good people within the department ready and qualified to move up, but they don't open up often unless you are ready to move anywhere in the state at all times. I love it here, but I know it will take some time to truly earn what I'm qualified for and I'm ok with that. 

A typical day of work at MDC consists of multiple-hour development meetings, a lunch break, and a few hours of working with someone else in programming a feature of an application.
I have learned at lot with MDC. My boss is always looking for new things to test me with and giving me tutorials to complete so that I can learn a new skill.
Management is very helpful if I have any questions and my coworkers are helpful as well.
The hardest part of the job, for me, is knowing exactly what my supervisor wants when they ask for a report or review (too little information, too much information, where do I stop? What information is the most important to comment on?).
With out a doubt, the most enjoyable thing is completing a task and seeing something work the way it is supposed to.

My typical day required sitting in my cubical. Coding and processing paperwork, and writing contracts with very limited communication with co-workers. Training included a very cumbersome procedures manual that continually needed updated.  
Expectations for project completion with attention to detail was unrealistically high for a new employee. 

I was given a "meets expectations" during my 6 month review, but felt continuously scrutinized on my performance.

A typical work day for me at MDC, I would prepare all out going mail, distribute all incoming mail, set up daily cash register, answer incoming calls, help visitors in the visitors center, assist with typing reports, and restocking gift shop items and brochures.  As an employee of the MDC i was able to take a workshop class about talking to the public on the phone in a professional way.  The people i worked with were wonderful from co-workers to management.  The hardest part of my job was people who were upset about things that were out of my control like permit prices or regulations and helping them understand why a change was better for them rather than just MDC.  the Most enjoyable part of my job was the kids who would come into the visitor center, they had so many questions about nature it was nice to be able to give back in a positive way to the community.   

Every day was the same yet the callers kept everything different. It CAN BE very hard on you because of the negativity you deal with from callers however it is what you make of it. Our section had our little joking way of blowing off steam so that it didn't overwhelm. Also, it was a very good place for cross-training & teamwork. If you saw a co-worker covered up in work, you could pitch in & help where you could to lighten their load. By doing so it kept the other duties on other desks fresh in your mind so if there was an absent co-worker, you could fill in.

The people in the field level, hands on positions are really great to work with. It's the management that needs work. Too many upper level positions, supervisors are out of touch or do not have the authority to change concerns, too many changes without direction, favoritism, etc. Honestly,  MDC turned me off of conservation because of how they manage their properties. They will tell a landowner they need to do something a certain way, then turn around and do the opposite on state property. Pay is better than it was, but not current with industry or Federal standards. And don't ask for a raise due to experience, they won't pay for experience even though most jobs require it. 

Working at the MO Department of Conservation comes with lots of benefits socially and professionally. The employees are passionate about their work, learning new things is always encouraged and supported, and the people you work with are kind with a great sense of community. There are good benefits working as a state employee as well. The only con about working at MDC might be the pay, but if you're doing what you love and can afford your needs and wants, I think it's totally worth it.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Administrative assistant 1 salary reported	$15.00 per hour
Architect 17 salaries reported	$103,074 per year
Resource manager 1 salary reported	$15.00 per hour
Wildlife rehabilitation technician 7 salaries reported	$20.56 per hour
Budget manager 9 salaries reported	$115,896 per year

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