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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Search online for Iowa DNR job opportunities!

Strengthen existing skills and build new ones working alongside conservation and/or law enforcement professionals in one or more of Iowa’s most beautiful natural areas. Iowa State Park Seasonal Workers perform a variety of hands-on duties related to park management, natural resource management, visitor engagement, and some select locations, patrolling. Successful candidates may be required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings, but exact schedules will vary by location. Most positions require being outdoors in all types of weather.

Full information: Job Title: Iowa State Park Seasonal Worker

Full information: Job Title: Seasonal Patrol Officer at Off-Highway Vehicle Parks

Full information: Job Title: Iowa State Park Seasonal Patrol Officer

Do you thrive on the idea of conducting meaningful research that directly impacts the health of our stream fisheries and helps anglers “shorten the time between bites?” If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Stream Fisheries Research Technician. In this role, you'll play a crucial part in identifying and solving problems affecting our stream fisheries resources, contributing directly to designing and conducting research projects to solve problems, assist fisheries managers to implement research findings, and provide the public with information about research and management of stream fisheries.

Closing Date: January 16, 2025 11:59 PM

Position: Natural Resources Technician 1 (Fisheries Research Technician) - Fisheries Bureau

Environmental Monitoring Field Technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Improvement Section to assist with water quality and biological sampling. The position is based in Des Moines, IA, with travel statewide.

Full information: Job Title: Environmental Monitoring Field Technicians (2 positions available)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking Environmental Monitoring Field Technicians with the Water Monitoring and Assessment Section (WMAS) to assist with water quality and biological sampling. The positions are based in Des Moines, IA, with travel statewide. Up to 7 positions are available, both full time and part time.

Full information: Job Title: Environmental Monitoring Field Technicians (7 positions available)

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 Anita State Park. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about natural resources management, committed to maintaining the beauty and safety of our park, and eager to engage with the public to promote our Bureau mission. Lake Anita is a recreational park located in the rolling hills of Southwest Iowa. Lake Anita provides ample opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. There is a 162 acre lake providing ample fishing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. The park has a busy campground located just a few miles off of I-80 providing opportunity to meet travelers from around the world. The park has a 4.5 mile paved trail that connects to the city of Anita. There is a public hunting area that borders the park, and the area is bountiful with wildlife.

Closing Date: January 3, 2025 11:59 PM

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

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking dedicated individuals committed to protecting Iowa's natural resources and providing citizens with recreational opportunities. We currently have three openings for a Wildlife Technician - one at each of these units: Red Rock Wildlife Unit, Black Hawk Wildlife Unit, and Grand River Wildlife Unit.

Closing Date: January 2, 2025 11:59 PM

Posting: Natural Resources Technician 1 (3) - Wildlife Bureau

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 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.