We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring an LTE (Limited Term Employee) – Associate Public Lands Specialist/ Program and Policy Analyst at our offices, in Madison, WI.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies. 

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

Under the direction of the Public Lands Specialist and supervision of the Land and Habitat Conservation Section supervisor, administer the statewide Wildlife Management volunteer programs including the Adopt-a-Wildlife Area program and Friends Groups in support of habitat and infrastructure initiatives and to build a cohesive conservation community around Wildlife Areas.

• 30% Assist in the development and administration of new agreements and renewals (department contracts), annual goals, and reporting requirements, Friends Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant applications and funding allocation, and habitat management training opportunities that align with department policy and habitat priorities.

• 25% Assist in the development of annual work plans by attending Friends Group meetings once annually and Adopt group habitat workdays (rotating through 1/3 groups per year). Provide policy and habitat trainings and assist in volunteer recruitment events to ensure a cohesive, standardized conservation community for Wildlife Areas in compliance with program policy.

• 20% Monitor, summarize and analyze financial and habitat improvement data submitted by volunteer groups and property managers and prepare annual reports demonstrating statewide and local achievements related to agreement goals and showcasing partnerships.

• 15% Assist section specialists and supervisor in developing and recommending policy and procedure changes for section projects including, but not limited to, volunteer programs, farming agreements, farmland easements, and special projects.

• 10% Create content for quarterly newsletters, monthly social media posts and create promotional materials.

This position pays $20.65 per hour and is in pay schedule and range 07-04. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan. 

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees. 

More about LTE positions:

1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.

2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job. 

3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. 

4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Special Requirements:

1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin resident is a person who:

a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier; 

b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years; 

c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or 

d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.

2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a 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.

3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. 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 I-9 form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the required qualifications below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
• Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
• Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year

Required qualifications

• Experience coordinating and tracking volunteer groups, partners, events and trainings.
• Experience communicating with a wide range of staff and the general public as well as presenting in large group meetings virtually and in person.
• Experience creating promotional materials like maps, brochures, posters and presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote, Teams)

Preferred qualifications

• Experience creating promotional products with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience creating, distributing, and evaluating program success and effectiveness.
• Experience leading and/or facilitating natural resources and/or recreational programming.

Click the “Apply for Job” button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.

For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact Timothy.Lizotte@wisconsin.gov.

For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions.

Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on May 1st, 2025 in order to be considered.