Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking professional applicants for the position of Mississippi River Habitat Coordinator. Managing habitat restoration projects on the Mississippi River requires substantial coordination both internally and externally due to the numerous partners, agencies and programs involved with this important resource. Additionally, several major habitat restoration initiatives are expanding or being rolled out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will substantially increase the Bureau’s workload on the Mississippi River.
This position provides leadership and represents the Department and Iowa's constituencies in inter agency coordination and planning for management of the Mississippi River with an emphasis on the habitats of fisheries and wildlife populations, their management, and associated recreation. Primary duties include: Mississippi River agency liaison and coordination, environmental evaluation and inspection, technical assistance, biological monitoring, and public outreach.
Mississippi River Agency Liaison & Coordination: Represent the Department and Iowa constituencies in inter-agency coordination and planning for the management of the Upper Mississippi River. This will include attending meetings and working groups to represent environmental values and human uses of the river resource. The Habitat Coordinator will review and cooperate in the programs of the following agencies and groups: Fish & Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, other Upper Mississippi River States, UMRR, UMRBA, UMRCC, NESP, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Habitat Coordinator will assist Supervisor in coordinating UMR inter-agency activities among Iowa DNR Mississippi River Management Stations.
Environmental Evaluation and Inspection: The Habitat Coordinator inspects and evaluates Mississippi River environments in consideration of all program authorities of various agencies. The Habitat Coordinator represents the Mississippi River resource and seeks out opportunities to match resource needs and problems, with various program authorities. A thorough knowledge of river resources is required to provide recommendations for fish and wildlife habitat improvements, sound river management, and for proactive resource representation.
Technical Assistance: The Habitat Coordinator will serve as Iowa’s OSIT field chair, coordinating DNR representation at on-site inspections/meetings relative to dredge spoil or other issues, and compiling recommendations. The Habitat Coordinator may provide fish and wildlife expertise to other river agencies relative to their populations, habitat or public use. When requested, the Habitat Coordinator completes permit reviews and may serve as ad-hoc coordinator for emergency response relative permits and other environmental concerns.
Biological Monitoring: The Habitat Coordinator may assist or direct projects monitoring the effects of implemented management actions on fisheries and wildlife populations such as pre- and post-HREP evaluations. Specific examples may include: fisheries, water quality, vegetation sampling, waterfowl counts or analysis, invertebrate monitoring, rookery surveys, and sediment monitoring.
Public Outreach: The Habitat Coordinator will work to improve public knowledge of river ecology and the importance and status of river resources. Applicable techniques include print and social media, group presentations, and contact/exposure with river resource groups.
Finally, the Habitat Coordinator completes administrative duties typical of a State of Iowa employee, including attending training and Department meetings, preparing reports and records, completing project and time reports, managing equipment records, email correspondence, and review team participation.
Essential Functions
Provides leadership and coordination of habitat restoration projects on the Mississippi River
Analyzes fisheries, habitat, and geographic data using advanced level PC skills and uses this information to provide technical advice during habitat project planning and design
Interprets and presents technical information to conservation professionals as well as nontechnical audiences
Inspects and evaluates habitat restoration and modification projects throughout the planning and construction process using motor vehicles and large river boats
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with constituents, DNR staff, management personnel and other state and federal agencies
Functions independently and with other inter- intra-agency organizations while representing the Department during Mississippi River habitat restoration planning and coordination meetings
Continuously demonstrates initiative, a customer service and team orientation, and high standards of ethical conduct
Special requirements?
Critical Job Competencies
Accountability, Customer Focus, High Productivity, Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Team Player, Communication Skills (oral and written), Computer Skills (data analysis), Technical Competence?
What You Get From Us
- Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
- A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
(Premiums can start as low as $56/month for single and $187/month for family coverage).
- Nine paid holidays/year.
- Flexible schedules (as approved by supervisor).
- Family friendly and professional work environment.
- Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel,
- Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
- Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
- Professional training opportunities.
counseling).
For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their DAS on-line application.
The starting salary for a new state (Executive Branch) employee is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additionally, salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
The DNR seeks to hire individuals who wish to support our mission, which is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organization, to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
Selectives
900
Fisheries Biology 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, including at least twelve semester hours (or the academic equivalent) in fisheries biology, or nine semester hours in wildlife biology, and the equivalent of two years of full-time work experience in professional fisheries work or two years of full-time work experience in professional wildlife work;
OR
a master's degree in fisheries biology, wildlife biology, or fisheries management or wildlife management;
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to thirty-six months of full-time work as a Natural Resources Technician 1 or 2 shall be qualified.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Qualification Requirements
- Certain designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required Commercial Drivers License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
- Certain designated positions require the employee to be certified by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority.
