Introduction
Exciting opportunity!
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Environmental Management is recruiting to fill four (4) Water Resource Management Specialist positions. Selected candidates will be brought in at a level relative to their qualifications. We welcome applications from interested applicants at all levels of experience, training and education.
Water Resource Specialist – Lakes and Streams Emphasis (Senior) position will be headquartered in Green Bay Service Center, WI.
Lake Superior Project Manager (Senior) position can be headquartered in Superior or Ashland Service Centers in WI, depending on space availability and the location of the selected candidate.
Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator (Senior) position can be headquartered in Park Falls, Ashland, Hayward, Rhinelander, Spooner, Superior or Woodruff Service Centers depending on space availability and the location of the selected candidate.
Statewide Water Quality Management Plan Program Coordinator (Advanced) position can be headquartered at the Central Office (Gef 2) in Madison or Milwaukee Service Center in WI, depending on space availability and the location of the selected candidate.
This recruitment may be used for any similar vacancies that become available in the near future. Remote work will be available, after the initial onboarding period. The exact amount is based on program need and supervisor discretion.
Are you a problem-solver who enjoys working independently and with teams? These positions offer very satisfying work, and the regional teams are great to work with. The work is interesting and engaging, involving both some field and desk work. At Wisconsin DNR, it is common for employees to work from home or have flexible hours. Remote work will be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial training period. The exact amount is based on program need.
The DNR is a great place to work! We are a workplace focused on diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Current employees value work-hour flexibility, casual office atmosphere, healthy work-life balance, and working for an organization that provides training and growth opportunities.
The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry. We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. The staff works in partnership with individuals and organizations to manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air, and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:
- Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, 9 paid holidays, and 130 hours of sick time that roll over each year.
- Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits.
- An exceptional pension plan with employer match
- A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
To learn more about the State’s complete compensation package, please visit the Total Rewards Calculator! Also, working for Wisconsin State Government may make you eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Position Summary
Please review the
Water Resource Specialist – Lakes and Streams Emphasis
Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
Statewide Water Quality Management Plan Program Coordinator
for more details on these positions.
Salary Information
Starting pay for the Senior level position is between $31.50 to $36.00 per hour ($66,560.00 to $72,800.00 annually).
Starting pay for the Advanced level position is between $34.00 to $41.00 per hour ($70,720.00 to $85,280.00 annually).
These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.
These positions are in Water Resource Management Specialist Senior and Water Resource Management Specialist Advanced classifications included in Pay Schedule/Range 15/03 for the Senior and Advanced levels.
Job Details
Background Checks: 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 the United States (I9 Requirement): 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.
Probationary Period: A 12-month probation may be required.
Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR telework policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs.
Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Please send your letter of qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position listed above in the job announcement along with your DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) to the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply under this provision. Current State employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.
Travel: Travel is required throughout the assigned area, with some statewide travel required for meetings.
Special Requirements below will be required for some of the positions:
The selected candidate must be able to drive a state vehicle. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUI violation within the past year are barred from driving state vehicles.
This position will require employees to possess a Boating Safety Education Certificate (often referred to as “Wisconsin boating License” or “Wisconsin Boater Education Card”) as proof that you have successfully completed all state-mandated boater education requirements within first 3 months of the job.
Qualifications
Please make sure to address and describe ALL of the following qualifications in relation to your experience (by providing a detailed example) within your resume and/or letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:
Minimally qualified candidates will have training, experience and/or education with each of the following:
- Collecting, interpreting, and applying scientific information from water quality reports, aquatic invasive species, lake or aquatic plant management plans, urban/regional plans or similar.
- Environmental or water resource science, aquatic ecology, plant/animal taxonomy, aquatic invasive species, limnology, urban and regional planning, natural resource conservation, or a related field.
- Developing, communicating, and/or presenting technical information for a variety of audiences and/or working with partners collaboratively towards a common goal.
- Scoping, designing, and/or implementing monitoring, planning, or protection/restoration projects.
In addition, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:
- A graduate degree or higher in environmental or water resource science, aquatic ecology, plant/animal taxonomy, aquatic invasive species, limnology, urban and regional planning, natural resource conservation, or a related field.
- Experience writing and/or contributing to environmental related management protection or restoration plans (Water Quality, AIS, Watershed, Urban/Regional, Habitat, etc.), monitoring reports, and/or reviewing and administering grant applications.
- Training, experience and/or education of WI Department of Natural Resources policies and regulations related to Great Lakes and/or Inland Waters including procedures, permits, grants, assessments, planning and/or management.
- Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders on lake, river, watershed, habitat restoration, urban/regional planning and/or similar projects.
How To Apply
The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your application materials, including your resume and letter of qualifications, are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. Be advised that there will be no opportunity to change your application materials once you have clicked “Submit.”
If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 17640 to complete your application for this posting.
The State of Wisconsin is committed to fostering a fair, equitable, and consistent selection process that is based on merit and utilizes sound competitive selection procedures.
The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Ulas Karagoren at ulas.karagoren2@wisconsin.gov or 608 266-2197. For general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance, please see the Wisc.Jobs Frequently Asked Questions page.
Deadline to Apply
All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Monday, April 28, 2025.
