Fisheries Mgmt - Brook Trout Coordinator (Project Position)

Introduction

The Wisconsin DNR is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Department of Natural Resources is hiring a Brook Trout Reserves Coordinator, project position, within the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. This position can be headquartered in Peshtigo or Florence and provides support to northern Wisconsin. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to large-scale conservation efforts and make a measurable impact on coldwater fish habitat in Wisconsin’s northern waters. This position will travel substantially to field offices and sites within the region.

This is an excellent opportunity to start a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR. Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package, that includes paid time off so you can truly have a work/life balance! If you have student loans and work full-time in a public service job (like this one!) you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To learn more about the state’s complete compensation package, please visit Employee Trust Fund’s Total Rewards Calculator!

Position Summary

• Build and lead a work team while effectively leveraging skills and completing projects efficiently
• Coordinate and facilitate communication among federal partners, tribal entities, state agencies, local governments, and non-profit conservation organizations
• Lead the development of fish passage policy focused on northern Wisconsin, particularly within the state’s largest Brook Trout Reserve—Brook Trout Reserve Area #41, encompassing the headwaters of the Oconto and Peshtigo Rivers
• Work closely with staff from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), county highway departments, and township governments to identify and prioritize stream crossing barriers
• Plan and lead habitat restoration and enhancement projects, with an emphasis on improving aquatic connectivity in priority Brook Trout Reserve areas
• Manage grant deliverables and reporting requirements for U.S. EPA-funded GLRI projects

Review the full job description for additional information about the position’s duties and responsibilities.

Salary Information

Starting wage is between $27.00 - $32.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits. 

The classification title for this position is Program and Policy Analyst - Advanced (schedule 07, range 03). This position is not represented in a collective bargaining unit and is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment. Starting pay may vary for current state employees.

Job Details

Travel: This position will travel substantially to field offices and sites within the region.

Driver's License Requirement: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles.

Project Position Info:  Per s. 230.27(1m), Wis. Stats., individuals appointed to project positions must be Wisconsin residents. Project positions are temporary positions that provide benefits, typically last up to two years, and may be renewed depending on business needs. Individuals appointed to a project position are not placed on a probationary period. State employees who leave a permanent civil service position to move to a project position may have rights back to a position at a comparable level to the permanent position they left when the term of their project position has ended.  This project position is expected to last through December of 2026, but may be extended based on business needs. 

Remote work:  This position may be allowed to work remotely approximately 60% of the time but will need to report in person when required, sometimes on short notice. High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. Remote work options are subject to change.

Criminal histories: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Qualifications

Please make sure to describe the following qualifications within your resume and/or letter of qualifications. 

You need to have all of the following:

• Experience in project management and/or project coordination (e.g., organizing and leading workgroups, developing and implementing programs, developing timetables and monitoring program for progress, providing technical assistance/training, or similar)
• Experience, education and/or training of fisheries management principles related to protection of aquatic resources (e.g., habitat assessment and enhancement techniques, aquatic connectivity, habitat protection and enhancement)
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively establish and maintain partnerships with internal staff and stakeholders

Any of the following would be nice to have:

• Experience, education and/or training in assessment of fluvial geomorphology, fluvial erosion and deposition, and sediment dynamics of streams and rivers.
• Experience, education and/or training in conducting stream road crossing surveys and assessments
• Experience writing federal grant funding proposals
• Experience using GIS to generate complex visualizations and analyze potential impacts/benefits from proposed projects to terrestrial and aquatic habitats