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.

Subscribe for employment opportunities  

Ready to join the team?
Search online for Iowa DNR job opportunities!

Under the daily direction of Iowa DNR staff, the incumbent will conduct habitat management work on public wildlife areas. The DNR Temporary position is expected to perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks at a wildlife management unit. The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Employees in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist. The job duties of this position include general wildlife management activities on State owned wildlife areas within the assigned unit counties.

Full information: Job Title: Wildlife Seasonal

The Iowa DNR is looking to hire two (2) Turkey Project Temporary Workers to complete field work associated with an ongoing 10-year wild turkey study in southeast Iowa. Under the daily direction of Iowa DNR staff, the incumbent will assist with turkey trapping work during the winter months. The incumbent will also be expected to conduct habitat management work on public wildlife areas and wildlife disease monitoring work such as tissue collection. This DNR Wildlife Temporary Worker position is expected to perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks at a wildlife management unit. The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Employees in this position will work with other wildlife unit personnel and be under the general direction of the Wildlife Biologist.

Full information: Job Title: Wildlife Seasonal, Turkey Project

The DNR is seeking a senior-level architect to join our team. As the DNR architect, you will be responsible for lead design work on a wide variety of building projects from concept through construction, with duties that include communicating with park managers and wildlife biologists, CAD drafting, researching and developing cost estimates and bid documents and conducting site visit inspections to verify that contracted work meets specified requirements. In this position, you will be exposed to a variety of architectural projects that include new construction and/or renovations of staff offices, shop buildings, storage buildings, restrooms and shower buildings, picnic shelters, and campground kiosks. Additionally, you will be responsible for evaluating the condition of various historic DNR-managed structures, including buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in order to develop maintenance and renovation plans.

Closing Date: December 2, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Senior Architect (Facilities Engineer 2) – Engineering, Land & Waters Bureau

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for someone to join its Construction Engineering team. This position will cover the Southeast Iowa District Engineer, covering 17 counties in Region. As the District Engineer, this position will perform lead engineering or architectural work, providing technical advice and assistance in the planning, managing and coordinating of construction, repair and preventative maintenance for all Department facilities within the district. This position will manage a wide variety of construction projects, ranging from minor culvert replacements to complete campground reconstructions, which include water, wastewater, electrical, and pavement infrastructure replacement. Also, this position will work closely with industry-leading biologists to design and construct facilities that benefit the environment, whether it be to stabilize the landscape, improve habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species, or to restore areas to a natural state.

Closing Date: December 2nd, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Facilities Engineer 2 (District Engineer) - Land, Waters, Engineering Bureau

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to fill our Natural Resources Technician 2 positions. This position plays a crucial role in supporting the Private Lands Coordinator and Forestry section staff, assisting private landowners with forest stewardship, promoting forestry-related education, and providing public land management services. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of forestry principles, excellent administrative skills, and the ability to work closely with landowners, forestry staff, and the public.

Closing Date: November 25, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Natural Resources Technician 2 - Wildlife Bureau

We are a leading organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and management. Our Wildlife Unit plays a pivotal role in ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources. We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to join our team as a Wildlife Unit Biologist. As the Wildlife Unit Biologist, you will be responsible for overseeing the administration and resource management of our Wildlife Unit. Your role will involve coordinating activities of Unit personnel, planning public area management, and annual project schedules. Additionally, you will monitor expenditures, work performance, and policy compliance.

Closing Date: November 22, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Natural Resources Biologist - Wildlife Bureau

The Department of Natural Resources has an exciting opportunity for a Land Management Specialist (Right of Way Agent 2) within the Land and Waters Bureau of the Department located in Des Moines, IA. The primary purpose of this position is to provide land management services for program areas located in the Conservation and Recreation Division of the DNR. Those services include: resolution of boundary conflicts, land survey contracting, preparation of departmental agreements and easements, administration of the Habitat Management Lease Program, coordinate building disposals, and negotiate the acquisition/disposal of sovereign land and easements. College or university students that are pending graduation in December 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science or biological science are eligible to apply for this position.

Closing Date: November 19, 2024 11:59 PM

Posting: Position: Right of Way Agent 2 (Land Management Specialist) - Land, Waters, Engineering Bureau

Are you passionate about improving water quality and making a lasting impact on Iowa’s land and aquatic resources? Do you want to work alongside dedicated professionals with a shared goal of enhancing opportunities through environmental conservation and protection? If so, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to apply for the position of Watershed Project Coordinator in the DNR Water Quality Bureau!

The position will be stationed primarily at the Greene County SWCD/NRCS.

This unique opportunity will allow you to lead water quality improvement projects that directly benefit water quality and soil health in assigned Iowa watersheds. By collaborating with conservation organizations, agricultural stakeholders, and other local partners, your work will play a crucial role in improving water quality, reducing pollution, and ultimately enhancing the health of Iowa’s water bodies.

Closing Date: November, 19, 2024 at 11:59PM CST

Posting: Position: Watershed Coordinator (Environmental Specialist) – Water Quality Bureau

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 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.