Naturalist

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 32407
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location:Lake Andes, SD or Wagner, SDSalary: $22.98-$34.46/hr, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 08/25/2025

The candidate will develop outdoor recreation, hunting, trapping and angling programs, including instructing and training department staff, teachers and volunteers to lead or assist in programming. This candidate must be creative to develop new programming, develop material to support programming, promote and advertise activities to members of the public and groups, and track activity attendance. Candidate will be responsible for developing a trapping and furbearer education program, for implementing HuntSAFE field days in central South Dakota and assisting with HuntSAFE volunteer instructor trainings. This position will work with partner organizations such as 4-H, SDSU Extension, schools, local businesses and cultural groups and must have good relationship building skills. This position will also work with computer programs such as Microsoft Office Products, Canva and the South Dakota GoOutdoors Event Registration System on a regular basis. The candidate will document education courses using photography, social media and the GoOutdoors event registration system. Must have excellent oral communication skills, like working with people of all age and skill levels, have good time management skills, and the ability to work within a team to meet statewide R3 initiatives. The candidate will be required to inspect, repair and maintain education program equipment (e.g. live traps, firearms, archery equipment). Hours will vary slightly from week to week due to programming, meetings and events, with some evenings and weekends required. Programs will be scheduled when public/groups can attend which may be after regular hours or on weekends. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. while some overnight travel within the state may be required to assist with events outside of the South Central South Dakota region. This position will work in a typical office environment and outdoors during all seasons of the year for conducting classes and workshops.

Questionnaire: Applicants will be required to answer a series of job related questions when submitting an application for this job.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• basic principles and practices of hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor skills;
• safe firearm handling;
• furbearer ecology, trapping laws, and trapping ethics and principles;
• computer systems and experience in Microsoft Office programs;
• R3 efforts as they relate to hunting and angling.

Skills:

• well-developed organizational and time management skills;
• strong interpersonal skills - problem solving, team building , strong written and verbal communication skills;
• fur handling skills including hide tanning;
• strong writing skills and proven ability to write and edit materials for public audiences;
• provide great customer service and training;
• interest in teaching all ages about hunting, trapping, angling and outdoor skills;
• have a high level of experience in hunting, trapping, shooting, angling, or other outdoor skills.

Ability to:

• build and present new and innovative programs that are in line with GFPs' mission;
• incorporate new and emerging technology into classrooms;
• communicate information clearly and concisely to educate youth and adults;
• recruit, train and lead volunteers;
• design and use media materials (social media, print fliers, websites);
• build relationships with partner organizations including: local governments, civic organizations, schools, youth groups, tribal nations and sportsmen's groups;
• maintain, use and show others how to use outdoor recreation equipment;
• work outdoors in all seasons of the year;
• work both independently and across a state-wide team.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=25R
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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