PUBLIC LANDS MANAGER II – Position# K0233853

This permanent, unclassified, full-time position is located in the Public Lands Division, Garden City District Office; and is directly supervised by Manuel Torres, Public Lands Regional Supervisor.

This is a professional management position in wildlife conservation and management for the Sandsage Bison Range, Hamilton State Fishing Lake, Greely State Fishing Lake, and Cottonwood Flats Wildlife Area. The primary duty station for this position will be at the Sandsage Bison Range in the Garden City Office.

Oversees the management of 4 properties, approximately 5,267, including state wildlife areas and fishing lakes, along with our bison responsibilities. Manages a wide range of facilities, including buildings, fences, a water system, roads, and equipment, ensuring they remain operational and maintained. Specific duties include daily checks on the bison herd and habitat, implementing grazing and feeding plans, conducting annual roundups, and coordinating bison herd management with other state agencies.

Manages habitat improvement projects that include controlled burns, exotic weed control, native grass seeding, and wildlife water pool development. Oversees fish stocking and constructing and maintaining facilities such as boat ramps, fishing piers, and restroom facilities during moist conditions. Responsible for budget management, including planning, securing funding through grants, and ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines for capital improvement projects. Administers law enforcement activities in assigned areas and assists/coordinates with Natural Resource Officers to enforce laws, rules, and regulations to protect Public Lands resources, visitors, and facilities.

Supervises staff, including hiring, training, and setting performance expectations. Coordinates with department personnel for wildlife studies and data collection. The manager will engage with the Bison Friends Group, local community groups, legislators, and the public, providing educational programs, media outreach, and responses to public hunting, fishing, and recreation inquiries.

If an applicant is not currently law enforcement certified, our agency will send the successful applicant to the required training as listed below.  Applicants do not have to be law enforcement certified to apply.  Upon notice of conditional offer of employment, successful candidate will be screened, tested, and assessed for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

BENEFITS: Beginning hourly wage, $27.68/hour; immediate group health and life insurance coverage; Kansas Police and Fire Retirement; optional deferred compensation, dental and vision options; holidays; and sick, vacation, and parental leave.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management, but other degrees relating to this field may be considered as determined relevant by the agency. Applicants with experience in managerial work over a wildlife area or other public lands, assisting with the responsibilities of conservation, operations, construction, maintenance, and public services will be given preference. The successful candidate must pass a background check and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The employee is required to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission. Certification must be obtained before the employee is given permanent status. The employee must complete a basic law enforcement training program recognized by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission and annual training as required by K.S.A. 74-5607a.

The position requires the use of a firearm for law enforcement duties; therefore, to be eligible for appointment to a position, candidates cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth in 18 U.S.C.§ 992 (g) (8) and (9).To be eligible for certification in the state of Kansas, one must also be free of any diversions from a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence crime as set forth by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.

Candidates for these positions must have the following: be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison; and be required to pass a physical exam administered by the hiring agency.

This class requires that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services, a pre-employment physical, a standard battery of psychological tests, and a Polygraph Examination are required for admission into the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Course.

Because this position requires the employee to be certified as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission, certain past and present personal behaviors can impact employee eligibility.