Fisheries Biologist 2 - 20058734 & 20060999

Fisheries Biologist 2 - 20058734 & 20060999 (District/Research) (2600048E)

Organization

: Natural Resources

Agency Contact Name and Information: Stephanie Sweazy, 614-265-6918 or stephanie.sweazy@dnr.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

: Jul 14, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

: 

DNR Licking 

10517 Canal Road Southeast 

 Hebron 43025

Primary Location

: United States of America-OHIO-Licking County-Hebron

Other Locations

: United States of America-OHIO-Athens County-Athens

 Compensation: $28.76/hr.

Schedule

: Full-time

Work Hours: 8am-5pm Subject to Change

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

: Wildlife

Technical Skills: Natural Resources

Professional Skills: Analyzation, Attention to Detail

 Agency Overview

Who we are:
Did you know Ohio operates 76 state parks, manages over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife land and more than 2 million acres of water? That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we do at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as we seek to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all!
Across our 12 divisions and support services, we employ office staff, law enforcement officers, geologists, biologists, engineers, attorneys, communicators, managers, and so much more. Whatever your passion, we likely have a position to fit it and pathways for advancement!
Working at ODNR is a special experience. Our employees are afforded opportunities to participate in public events at parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, and annually at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair! We routinely have Lunch and Learn events at our Assembly Center which are streamed on Teams Live as are monthly updates with our Director.
 

Job Description

What we need:
We are seeking energetic, passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to play a key role for two (2) Fisheries Biologist 2 positions within the Division of Wildlife. 

• One position (PN 20058734) will be headquartered in Licking County at the Inland Fisheries Research Unit. The address is 101517 Canal Road, Hebron, Ohio 43025.

One position (PN 20060999) will be headquartered in Athens County at the District 4 Headquarters. The address is 360 East State Street Athens, Ohio 45701.

To learn more about the Division of Wildlife please visit Division of Wildlife | Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

What you will do… 

• Evaluates existing fish management programs and develops new research and management projects, serving as principal investigator on studies involving fish age & growth, population dynamics, recruitment, mortality, exploitation, stocking strategies, and regulatory impacts.
• Conducts and oversees field surveys of fisheries and aquatic communities (e.g., fish, angler, plankton, aquatic plants, limnological conditions) using appropriate sampling gear.
• Designs, coordinates, and oversees fisheries and angler access projects, determining project requirements, sampling designs, staffing needs, procedures, schedules, budgets, and equipment purchases to support unit and statewide objectives.
• Uses appropriate statistical methods to collate, analyze, model, and interpret biological and environmental data, manages databases and analytical programs, drafts technical reports and peer-reviewed publications, and presents technical information at scientific meetings.
• Communicates technical and scientific information to the public and stakeholders, prepares news releases and articles, provides presentations and media responses, represents the division on professional committees. 
• Starting hourly pay of $28.76/hr. with multiple pay increases over your first 5.5 years of service, with an end salary of $38.01/hr.
• There may also be cost of living adjustments (COLA) applied. Longevity pay supplements begin after five (5) years of state service. For more details, refer to the OCSEA pay range schedule & longevity rates. OCSEA Employees | Department of Administrative Services
  
   

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science AND 24 mos. training or 24 mos. exp. in management & coordination of fisheries projects. 

-Or completion of graduate core program in biological sciences to include 6 courses in fisheries science & 2 courses in statistics; (e.g., fisheries management, fishery techniques, limnology, ichthyology, fish biology, fish ecology, aquatic entomology), 6 mos. training or 6 mos. exp. in management & coordination of fisheries projects. 

-Or completion of graduate core program in fisheries science AND 6 mos. training or 6 mos. exp. in management & coordination of fisheries projects.

 -24 mos. training or 24 mos. exp. as Fisheries Biologist 1, 22271. 

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above. 

Job Skills: Wildlife, Natural Resources, Attention to Detail, Analyzation 

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:
Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs).  Transcripts are required for all coursework, degrees or educational accomplishments claimed on the application.  Applicants must submit a transcript (can be unofficial until point of selection) by the posting deadline (attach in the Additional Attachments section of the application submission Step 6).  Should you have issues attaching, please email to: hr@dnr.ohio.gov.  “See resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application.  Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. 
To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 or mohammad.yakubu@dnr.ohio.gov.
Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 
STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] user profile at careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile". 
NOTES: 
Bargaining unit applicants will be given consideration for applicable positions, pursuant to collective bargaining agreement. 
Selection devices, proficiency testing and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position.  If you are applying for the same classification within a six month period, your previous score from the selection instrument (interview, proficiency test and/or assessment) may be carried forward for consideration.
Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.
 

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.