Location: Williston, ND
Salary Range: $4,976 - $5,359 hiring range
Closing Date: August 30, 2026
Status: Full-time
Recruitment: Internal/External
Wildlife Opportunity
This position offers an exciting and deeply rewarding opportunity to work directly with landowners to create high-quality wildlife habitat and expand public hunting access on private lands. You will join a motivated, growing, and mission-driven Private Lands Section within the Department's Wildlife Division, where your work directly contributes to the success of the Private Land Initiative and the long-term conservation of North Dakota's wildlife resources.
ND Game and Fish provides a challenging, fulfilling career with meaningful fieldwork, strong partnerships, and the chance to make a visible impact on the landscape. The Department also offers an exceptional benefits package, including 100% employer-paid family health insurance, a comprehensive retirement plan, vacation and sick leave (including family sick leave), holiday pay, and other outstanding benefits. More information is available through Team ND Benefits.
The Community
Williston is a booming community located on the scenic Missouri River in Northwest North Dakota. Situated at the crossroads of agriculture and energy development, the Williston area today is a regional center for business and play, history and development, fun and adventure. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound just a few minutes outside of town, including world class hunting and fishing, hiking, golf and boating.
To learn more about living in North Dakota, visit https://findthegoodlife.com
For more details about Williston, visit https://visitwilliston.com
Summary of Work
The District Private Lands Biologist plays a key role in delivering, developing, and implementing the Private Lands Initiative, including the Department's Habitat and Access Programs. Primary responsibilities include working one-on-one with private landowners to develop conservation agreements, specifically Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) and habitat-enhancement projects.
The position requires close coordination with federal and state agricultural and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and other partners. Occasional operation of habitat-management equipment is part of the role, along with conducting wildlife surveys, performing habitat assessments, and providing public outreach and information.
This is a hands-on, field-forward position where your work directly improves wildlife habitat, strengthens partnerships, and expands public hunting opportunities across North Dakota.
This is a salaried position and may require the individual to work long or extra hours, exceeding 40 hours per week, to complete tasks during specific periods throughout the year.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology or wildlife management or closely related natural resource science degree and one year of professional work experience with a fish and wildlife agency or other conservation organization. A Master's degree in a closely related field can substitute for one year of work experience.
The individual must possess well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, be highly responsible, be well organized and have attention to detail. Must have the ability to work with private landowners, farmers/ranchers, other wildlife management professionals, wildlife groups, and the general public in a professional manner as a representative of the agency. Must be self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment with the ability to multi-task and balance many work responsibilities at once. Must have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word and Excel).
The applicant must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver's license. Must be able to travel; occasional overnight travel is required.
Requires successful completion of a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with:
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Experience using mapping software and/or interpreting maps and legal descriptions
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Experience working with private landowners, farmers/ranchers
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Experience developing or managing habitat projects
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Experience delivering or administering conservation programs
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Experience conducting wildlife surveys and/or habitat assessments
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Experience responding to or managing wildlife depredation issues
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Active participation in hunting
About Team ND
"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt
More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.
Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.
Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.
Application Procedures
- Applicants must complete the online application. Applicants will be scored by their responses to the questionnaire questions.
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Applicants must also upload a Cover Letter describing how the applicant's ability and experience relates to the Summary of Work.
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Applicants must upload a current Resume that includes information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted.
- Applicants must attach a document listing at least 3 professional references.
Applicants should save their applications frequently to avoid any loss of information. The online application system will time you out after 40 minutes and you will lose any information that is not saved.
All required documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the posted closing date. Incomplete applications or application materials that do not sufficiently demonstrate qualifications may not receive further consideration.
For questions about the position or to request accommodation during the application or interview process, contact Melissa Long, HR Services Manager, at 701-328-6318. For technical assistance with the online application system, contact [email protected].
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants requesting accommodation should notify the department of their needs. ND Relay: 1-800-366-6888.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.
