Employment

Do you care about the environment and want to make a difference in the world? Do you like to work in an action-oriented, exciting, diverse, high-energy and challenging workplace? If you are a team player, highly productive, accountable with an eye for customer service, then the DNR is the right place for you.

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Learn about careers in Fisheries while working alongside biologists and technicians with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Seasonal Workers in the Fisheries Bureau perform a variety of duties related to fisheries research, management, culture, or aquatic invasive species. Successful candidates for these positions may be required to work weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings, but exact schedules will vary by location. Most positions require being outdoors in all types of weather and may require travel overnight.

Closing Date: January 10, 2025 11:59 PM

Posting: Fisheries Seasonal Worker/Internship

The Wildlife Diversity Program of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking to hire two temporary technicians who are enthusiastic about non-game wildlife. Technicians will earn an hourly rate of $15.00. The positions will be stationed in different locations and have different duties: Prairie Skink and Regal Fritillary Butterfly research and management in Kellerton, IA and a more general office-based position in Boone, IA. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in some of Iowa’s most beautiful wetland and grassland landscapes and with many fascinating species of wildlife.

Full information: Job Title: Wildlife Research Technician, Full-time Temporary

Full information: Job Title: Wildlife Research and Management Technician, Full-time Temporary

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for a motivated natural resource professional interested in being a Park Manager. If you would love to work in one of Iowa's most beautiful outdoor spaces, to have the ability to work independently with a lot of variety, and to be able to see visible results from your efforts, this may be the position for you. The position is at Wildcat Den State Park and Fairport Recreation Area located in Muscatine, Iowa. State Park Managers are charged with overseeing the daily operations of the park, ensuring the safety of park users, and promoting Iowa’s natural resources.

Closing Date: December 27, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: State Park Manager – Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau

The Iowa DNR’s Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau is currently seeking a dedicated and passionate State Park Technician to join our team at Lake of Three Fires Park. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about natural resource management, committed to maintaining the beauty and safety of our park, and eager to engage with the public to promote our Bureau mission.

Closing Date: December 18, 2025 11:59 PM

Posting: Natural Resources Technician 1 (State Park Technician) - Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau

The Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Research Section is looking to hire one Temporary Worker to complete field work associated with implementing a pilot camera trap survey in northeast Iowa primarily targeting gray fox and fishers. This will be the first year conducting this type of survey. The objective of this survey is to utilize trail cameras to determine gray fox and fisher distribution (presence/absence) in a defined survey area of northeast Iowa. This pilot trail camera survey will take place over a 2 – 4 county area on both private and public land during late winter, February - April. Under the direction of Iowa DNR furbearer program staff, the incumbent will be tasked with carrying out the job duties with minimal daily supervision.

Full information: Wildlife Research – Camera Trap Survey Temporary Worker

The temporary, summer employees of the Iowa DNR LE Bureau are positions of high responsibility. Diverse duties include checking for compliance with Iowa's navigation and fishing regulations and helping to ensure a safe recreational environment for the public. Water Patrol Officers also provide public assistance and safety education through personal contacts and by participating in DNR's educational programs. Water Patrol Officers are often the first to respond to the scene of emergencies such as accidents, missing persons or other calls for assistance.

Water Patrol Information Sheet

For specific job duties, requirements, and application information: Position: Seasonal Water Patrol Officer-Law Enforcement Bureau

Locations: The following are POTENTIAL positions that MAY be available. Only indicate on your application those that you are willing and able to work; i.e. only those areas that you would accept employment if offered. Housing is not available with these positions.

Water Patrol:

• IOWA LAKES/DICKINSON COUNTY (NW IOWA)
• STORM LAKE (in Buena Vista County) (NW IOWA)
• BLACK HAWK LAKE (in Sac County) (NW IOWA)
• NORTH TWIN LAKE (in Calhoun County) (NW IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER Pool 10 @ MARQUETTE/MACGREGOR (Clayton County) (NE IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER Pool 9 @ HARPER'S FERRY (Allamakee County) (NE IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER Pool 11 @ DUBUQUE (Dubuque County) (NE IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER Pool 12 @ BELLEVUE (Jackson County) (NE IOWA)
• CLEAR LAKE @ (in Cerro Gordo County) (NC IOWA)
• MISSOURI RIVER/LAKE MANAWA (in Pottawattamie County) (SW IOWA)
• MISSOURI RIVER/CARTER LAKE (in Pottawattamie County) (SW IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ MONTROSE (in Des Moines and Lee Counties) (SE IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ PRINCETON/CLINTON (Scott and Clinton Counties) (SE IOWA)
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER @ FAIRPORT (Muscatine and Louisa Counties) (SE IOWA)
• CORALVILLE RESERVOIR (in Johnson County) (SE IOWA)
• LAKE RATHBUN (in Appanoose County) (SC IOWA)
• LAKE REDROCK (in Marion County) (SC IOWA)
• SAYLORVILLE LAKE (Polk County) (C IOWA)

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking a highly motivated Geologist 3 in our Water Quality Bureau. Do you want to make an impact on Iowa life and it's drinking water? We have an incredible opportunity for you! This position is vital to protecting our aquifers by being a SME in water well placement, using their expertise to avoid spreading plumes of contamination, working one-on-one with well drillers and contractors, and building a groundwater program. The successful candidate will ensure the safety of drinking water and protection of groundwater quality through the correct design and construction of private wells, well pump installation and geothermal heat transfer installation.

Closing Date: December 10, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Geologist 3 (Hydrogeologist) - Water Quality Bureau

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for someone to join its Engineering Design team as a Facilities Engineer Associate. This position will work under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer to assist with maintaining and improving public facilities across the state, ensuring that the health, safety and welfare of the general public and state employees are protected and the facilities are constructed to all code requirements.

Closing Date: December 9, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Facilities Engineer Associate – Land, Waters and Engineering Bureau

The DNR is a diverse organization with 75 different job classifications.

The number following each job title represents the total number of full-time positions in that classification:

Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Vision:
Leading Iowans in caring for our natural resources.

Hiring Motto:
Hire the right person for the right job at the right time!

DNR recognizes and strives to capitalize on the fact that employees are our most valuable resource. DNR seeks to recruit, hire, train, develop and retain the very best employees.

Guiding Principles:
Customer Focus, Long-Term Thinking, Results/Outcome Orientation, Data-Based Decisions, Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Empowerment, Valuing Employees, Mutual Respect, Collaboration, and Integrity

Core Competencies:
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Team Player, Customer Focus, and Technical Skills.

Application Preferences:
DNR highly encourages interested applicants to upload a resume and cover letter when applying for all DNR positions through the DAS NEOGOV application system.