Dnr Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a Senior Fisheries Biologist in the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to plan and implement a professional, diverse fish contaminants program to assess legacy and emerging contaminants on lakes, streams, flowages and rivers statewide.
This position is headquartered in Madison, WI with statewide responsibility.
Wisconsin's Fisheries Management program is responsible for protecting, maintaining, and developing Wisconsin's fisheries and aquatic resources. The program annually employs 200+ positions and spends over $30 million to manage fisheries in Wisconsin's 15,000+ lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 2 Great Lakes and 1,000 miles of their shoreline and 260 miles of the Mississippi River.
Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.
Position Summary
This PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) Fisheries Biologist is responsible for the operational component of the fish contaminant monitoring program statewide and for providing direction, administration, advice and integration with other state, federal, tribal and non-profit fish contamination programs and projects. This position will also implement a public outreach program to provide services and information on fish health consumption advisories .
For more information, please see the Position Description.
Salary Information
Starting pay for this position is between $33.12 to $38.42 per hour (or $68,889.60 to $79,913.60 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. The maximum pay for this position has been adjusted to reflect the 2% General Wage Adjustment anticipated June 28, 2026. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.
This position is included in the classification Fisheries Biologist - Sr within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.
The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $45/month for single and $111/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program , offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
• For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

Job Details
Future Opportunities: This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions .
Probation: A 12-month probationary period may be required.
Travel: Travel within the State is substantial, with additional travel for training or presentations on a more limited basis. Statewide travel is anticipated 60-70% of the time; expectation to be away from home 2-3 nights per week during heavy seasonal (open water) sampling schedule.
Fleet Vehicle Policy: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUI violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles.
Physical/ Environmental Factors: This position requires the ability to work safely on water and ice, potentially during periods of adverse weather. It also requires the ability to wear personal protective equipment such as waders, personal floatation devices, hearing and eye protection while on the job. This position will spend approximately 60% of the time outdoors, and at times in inclement (e.g., cold, hot, windy, rainy) weather. For other physical and environmental requirements of the job, please see the position description linked in the Position Summary.
Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to 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.
Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.
Eligibility to work in United States: 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 Form I-9 upon hire.
Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.
Qualifications
Your letter of qualifications and resume 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 .
Please describe the below qualifications in your resume and letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:
Qualified candidates must have ALL of the following:

• Education, training or experience in Fisheries Science, Contaminants/Toxicology Science, Fish Ecology, Biology, Environmental Biology or a closely related field(including paid or unpaid experiences, courses taken, and/or degrees earned.)
• Experience communicating, both in writing & verbally through various form of media(ex. presentations, video's, social media, outreach brochures), on scientific topics to a variety of stakeholders such as fisheries, lake, river and stream user groups; local units of government; federal, state and tribal government; non-profit environmental and other special interest groups ; and the general public.
• Experience planning and conducting biological or fisheries surveys.

In addition, preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:

• Master's degree or higher in Fisheries Science, Contaminants/Toxicology Science, Fish Ecology, Environmental Biology, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience planning, coordinating and implementing fisheries/aquatic surveys on all waterbody types including lakes, rivers and streams (including design development).
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and reporting fisheries and/or contaminants survey data.

How To Apply
The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.
If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 20930 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.
For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Vicki Treml in Human Resources at vickil.treml@wisconsin.gov.
Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Please apply online (as stated above) with your letter of qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position and attach your DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) . NOTIFY the HR contact listed in this announcement that you are applying under this provision. Current permanent State employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.
The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Deadline to Apply
All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Thursday, May 28th, 2026.