Job Description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the DNR Division of Nature Preserves: 

The Division of Nature Preserves identifies, protects, and manages an array of nature preserves and natural areas in sufficient numbers and sizes to maintain viable examples of all of Indiana's natural communities. We seek to manage and maintain viable populations of endangered, threatened, and extirpated species. We currently support more than 290 dedicated nature preserves that comprise over 53,000 acres.

This position is a Nature Preserve Steward. Nature Preserve Stewards assist the Regional Ecologist fulfill the mission of the Division of Nature Preserves by executing ecological habitat restoration and maintenance work on state dedicated nature preserves and other natural areas of significance. This position involves almost exclusively outdoor work in remote preserves throughout the East Central Region centered around the Limberlost Conservation Area near Geneva.The work consists primarily of the selective chemical and/or mechanical control of invasive plant species which threaten our native habitats and trail maintenance. This requires the knowledge or ability to learn to distinguish invasive plants from the wide diversity of co-occurring native plants and tractor operation. Nature Preserve Stewards also assist on the preparation for and execution of prescribed burns, conditions permitting. Year-round there are other tasks to be performed as needed including trash abatement, property boundary signage, nature preserve inspections, equipment maintenance, and assistance with biological inventories or monitoring efforts.

Salary Statement: 

The hourly wage for this seasonal position starts at $14.50/hour. 

A Day in the Life:

The Seasonal Natural Resources Workers perform duties related to the survey, biological monitoring, and/or control of property natural resources. Seasonal Natural Resources Worker positions and their essential functions are as follows:

• Resource Management Techs: Assists with the control of invasive plant species natural area restoration trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking and/or timber stand improvement based on the property.
• Laborers: Work to maintain and repair property buildings, grounds, and facilities. Laborers perform various duties based on property needs. Possible duties may include landscaping, mowing, firewood processing, structure maintenance, sign creation, trail upkeep, carpentry, and plumbing, based on property needs.
• Clerks: Perform a wide variety of tasks to support property staff. Duties may include inventory, stocking, reporting, budgeting, and assisting with other administrative duties.
• Office Assistants:  Answer inquiries about the property and provide quality customer service to the park visitors. This position also assists property management with operations and administrative functions. 
• Nature Preserves Steward: Assists Regional Ecologists to implement habitat restoration and management plans for native plant and animal communities, including endangered, threatened, or rare species. Duties may include physical or chemical removal of invasive plant species, natural area restoration, controlled/prescribed burns, trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking and/or timber stand improvement. 
• Biological Naturalist Aides:  Assist District Biologists with future succession control, food plot plans, fish, wildlife, and vegetation surveys. Duties may include data collection, species monitoring, mowing, planting, and managing habitats for wildlife.
  • Creel Clerk: interview anglers, collect biological information and tissues from various fish species, and enter data on relevant forms and/or systems.
• Wildlife Science Tech: Assist Wildlife Science Biologists with research and management activities focused on a species or group of species. Duties may include developing and conducting surveys, building, and maintaining traps, equipment maintenance, coordinating volunteers, entering data, staffing check stations, and processing carcasses.
• Disease Surveillance Coordinators:  Assists State Health Biologists in conducting fish & wildlife response and surveillance activities. These duties can include a significant amount of in-state travel, working with potentially diseased and/or dead animals, data entry, database management, and volunteer management.
• Shooting Range Officers:  Monitor the activities of visitors using the shooting range while providing quality customer service and education on safe gun handling. This role will enforce shooting range standard operating procedures and provide basic maintenance to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience. 
• May be expected to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• May be required to wear a DNR-provided uniform. 
• May be required to travel to different properties. 
• May be required to have a valid driver’s license. 
• May experience working with DOC work release crews.
• May perform duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.). 
• May work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Some positions may require: 
• Completion of some college coursework in wildlife management, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry and/or related areas of study is required. 
• Ability to understand and apply through on the job training and using previous, relevant experience basic biological principals, ecological variables and interactions, plant identification, herbicide application, invasive plant management techniques (of conservation biology, the management of forests, wetlands, and prairie habitats), and life histories of invasive plants.
• Ability to lift equipment, tools, or materials up to 50lbs.
• Ability to sustain periods of strenuous physical activity.
• Ability to carry out assignments with general instruction and limited supervision.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .

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