The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is an executive branch agency in charge of operating and regulating the use of state parks, state lakes, recreational grounds, wildlife areas and sanctuaries, fish hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites and other lands, waters, and facilities for the promotion of public health, safety, and for the use and pleasure of visitors. The agency is also charged with the development and conservation of wildlife and the natural resources within the state. The agency oversees 29 state parks, 500 miles of trails, approximately 460,301 acres of leased or owned public lands, management of four hatcheries, and four nature centers.
To meet our mission, projects, and goals, KDWP employs approximately 466 full time employees and up to 350 temporary employees, throughout the state, with diverse and varying skillsets. The largest agency office is the Operations Offices in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are four Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, Hays, and Dodge City; six District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, Colby, Fort Scott, Garden City, and Mound City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.
The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.
- Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Key Responsibilities:
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This position is a professional management position in wildlife conservation and management for the Neosho and Hollister Wildlife Areas and Bourbon and Neosho State Fishing Lakes totaling 6,274 acres.
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Daily activities include planning, organizing and directing activities and programs at complex and large state department-managed properties.
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Responsibilities include: oversight, operation, and development of permitting, application of controlled chemicals, minerals management, vegetation and habitat management, watershed and water level management, wildlife management and visual and air quality.
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Carries out complex field and office research or investigations and makes professional observations and judgments necessary to identify adverse pressures on animal, plant, and human life associated with the state’s natural resources.
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This position serves as the lead manager conducting activities on 4 properties totaling 6,274 acres. Annual expenditures average $160,000 but fluctuate due to variability in agricultural income.
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This position directs all capital improvement construction and maintenance projects including all necessary permitting before construction. Includes budgetary development and oversight responsibility for area operations, seasonal salaries and revenues from the sale of licenses, permits and other forms of revenue generated from the area property.
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Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised and plans, schedules, and assigns work to subordinates.
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Promotes awareness of programs, laws, regulations, flora and fauna in assigned areas to the visiting public and to the members of the Department’s constituent groups, members of local city and county boards and legislators in state government.
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Administers and participates in law enforcement activities on assigned areas; detects violations, makes arrests, collects evidence, prepares cases and testifies, as required-must be a credible witness in court; cooperates/coordinates with Natural Resource Officers and local law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations for the protection of resources, visitors and facilities.
Necessary Special Requirements:
The employee is required to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.
The position requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C.§ 992 (g) (8) and (9).To be eligible for certification in the state of Kansas, one must also be free of any diversions from a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.
Candidates for these positions must have the following: be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison; and be required to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency.
This position requires that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services.
Because this position requires the employee to be certified as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission, certain past and present personal behaviors can impact employee eligibility.
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
The following are the required items to apply:
1) a letter of interest
2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address
3) transcript material, if you wish to include them
4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system
5) an Authorization to Release Information form** (this can be found at the following website):
https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/about-kdwp/careers
**Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.
Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.
If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
