Volunteer Wildlife Trapper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State's career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.
DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
RECREATION SAFETY COORDINATOR
-ANTICIPATED VACANCY-
Opening Date: September 02, 2026
Closing Date: End of the day September 25, 2026
Location: Bangor
Position Number: 01841-2313
Position Type: Full Time/Year-Round
Class Code: 9522
Grade: 18 (Professional/Technical Unit)
Salary: $19.02 - $26.48 Per Hour
Interested candidates need to submit a Direct Hire Application, Cover Letter, detailed Resume* and Answers to the Supplemental Questions (submitted as a separate document where you will drop your Resume).
*For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This is a full-time position and serves as the Regional Safety Coordinator for north central Maine, based out of Bangor, focusing on Penobscot, Piscataquis, and portions of Somerset, Franklin, Hancock, and southern Aroostook Counties. Other duties statewide as necessary and approved by the supervisor.
Responsibilities include developing, coordinating, and leading programs, and supporting volunteer instructors in leading public education programs for the Department to increase the safe and responsible participation in hunting, trapping, firearms use and handling, recreational shooting, boating, and ATV/ snowmobile riding.
This includes lessons in navigation, first aid, wilderness survival, wildlife conservation, land-owner relations, outdoor ethics, and related topics. The Recreation Safety Coordinator in this classification leads or assigns suitable instructors to lead programs throughout the region and works with partnering organizations to coordinate venues and distribution of courses. Additionally, this position is responsible for managing volunteer hours and student information, and assisting with outreach, R3 initiatives, and educational programs associated with hunting, shooting sports, and conservation education. This position will be responsible for maintaining firearms and related equipment used in hunter education programs.
TYPICAL DUTIES in this job classification include:

• Recruit and train new volunteer instructors, including verifying qualifications.
• Manage inventory and use of training aids, equipment, and other related supplies.
• Communicate information between the Recreation Safety Office and volunteer instructors, as well as partners and organizations.
• Promote hunting, trapping, archery hunting, ATV, snowmobile, and boating safety activities in assigned areas.
• Represent the department in a professional manner with clubs, groups, organizations, and outreach events.
• Lead/ teach programs and mentor new instructors as necessary
• Review, evaluate, and suggest recommendations and improvements to supervisor regarding programs, processes, and volunteer management.
• Provide professional guidance and input when requested that supports the mission of the department.
• Support current initiatives and programs as deemed relevant by the department.
• Deliver, supply, inventory, and maintain equipment and materials for volunteer and staff use.
• Serve as Range Safety Officer and train new Range Safety Officers
• Transport for use, ATV/Snowmobiles and equipment trailers for courses and workshops, events, and outreach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education, training, and/or experience in outdoor recreation and safety, public speaking, and managing volunteers, demonstrating competency in mentoring, collecting, presenting and assessing information.
REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid Maine Driver's License and be willing to travel as an integral part of this position.
• Must possess certification or be willing to acquire certification in the disciplines currently overseen by the unit (Hunter safety, Archery Hunter Education, Trapper Education, ATV/Snowmobile, Boater Education).

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Experience and knowledge in related disciplines such as hunting, trapping, or outdoor recreation.
• Teaching or providing related training and mentorship with similar focus
• Relative program coordination and volunteer coordination and management.
• Experience and knowledge, use, and maintenance of firearms and archery equipment.
• Knowledge and experience of recreational shooting sports activities including rifle, shotgun, and archery.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: In addition to the standard Direct Hire Application form, you MUST address each of the following items to be scored properly. These should be attached as a separate document where you attach your Resume:
1. Describe your education and experience(s) which provides you with knowledge of the safe use of firearms, hunting, trapping, recreational vehicles, and the laws pertaining thereto.
2. Describe any experience(s) you have in teaching or mentorship, providing training, developing and/or implementing a curriculum or program.
3. Describe your program coordination experience, especially relating to public or volunteer programs.
4. Describe any experience(s) you have in recruiting, training, motivating, coordinating, and/or managing volunteers.
Applicants must pass a background check and be free of criminal and fish and wildlife related violations.
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage- The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit - Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance- The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan- The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement- Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts- Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness- The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program - Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child-including fathers and adoptive parents-receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation- Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you're looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we'd love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you're currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.
If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.