• Job Description

  Req#: 21575
  Introduction
  
  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring several Water Resources Management Specialists in the Division of Environmental Management.
  
  Are you a problem-solver who enjoys working independently and with teams? These positions offer fulfilling work protecting and restoring Wisconsin's amazing inland and Great Lakes water resources and offer the opportunity to collaborate with other programs and partners across the region to achieve this mission. The work is interesting and engaging, involving both field and office work.
  
  This is a Statewide recruitment. Current vacancies and headquarter locations dependent on business needs and location of the selected candidate are as follows:
  
  Water Quality Standards & Designated Use Coordinator (Water Resources Management Specialist-Adv) - Madison, Fitchburg, Milwaukee or Waukesha
  
  Lake & Reservoir Ecologist/Limnologist (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior ) - Statewide
  
  Lower Green Bay Fox River Area of Concern Coordinator (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior) - Green Bay
  
  Greater Milwaukee Area Great Lakes Project Manager (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior) - Milwaukee
  
  AOC Project Management Specialist (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior) - Green Bay. This is a project position, with an anticipated end date of 6/30/2028.
  
  Lake Superior Project Manager (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior) - Superior or Ashland
  
  Water Resource Biologist (Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior) - Wisconsin Rapids
  
  Lake Superior Monitoring & Sediment Coordinator (Water Resources Management Specialist-Adv) - Superior or Ashland
  
  Lake Superior Program Coordinator (Water Resources Management Specialist-Adv) - Superior or Ashland
  
  Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period. The exact amount is based on program needs and current agency policy.
  
  This recruitment may be used to fill similar vacancies that become available in the near future in the locations listed above, or other Wisconsin locations. Therefore, when you apply, please select the counties in which you are interested in working.
  
  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.
  
  Salary Information
  
  Starting pay for the Senior level positions is between $32.00 to $37.74 per hour (or $66,560 to $78,499.20 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. These positions are included in the classification Water Resources Management Specialist-Senior within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03.
  
  Starting pay for the Advanced level positions is between $37.74 to $40.80 per hour (or $78,499.20 to $84,864 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. These positions are included in the classification Water Resources Management Specialist-Advanced within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03.
  
  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
  • 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.
  This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.
  
  Job Details
  
  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.
  
  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.
  
  Probation: All positions with the exception of the AOC Project Management specialist may require a 12-month probationary period. The AOC Project Management Specialist is a project position and probation is not required.
  
  Project Position: Per s. 230.27(1m), Wis. Stats., individuals appointed to project positions must be Wisconsin residents. Project positions are temporary positions that provide benefits, typically last up to two years, and may be renewed depending on business needs. Individuals appointed to a project position are not placed on a probationary period. State employees who leave a permanent civil service position to move to a project position may have rights back to a position at a comparable level to the permanent position they left when the term of their project position has ended.
  
  Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.
  
  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.
  
  Driver License Requirement: For any positions that require the use of a State Fleet vehicle, 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/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles. Please see the linked Position Descriptions above for indications of the requirement to operate a Fleet vehicle.
  
  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:
  
  Required qualifications include training, experience and/or education in ALL the following criteria:
  • Environmental Science, natural resources management, water resources management, surface water quality monitoring, urban and regional planning or similar fields
  • Collecting, analyzing, interpreting and applying scientific information for and/or from water quality reports, lake or aquatic plant management plans, urban/regional plans or similar
  • Developing, communicating, and/or presenting technical information for a variety of audiences and/or working with partners collaboratively towards a common goal
  • Project management and/or oversight in one of the following:
  - Development and/or implementation of ecosystem plans, program workplans, policies, strategies and/or guidance
  
  - Scoping, designing, and/or implementing monitoring projects
  
  - Scoping, designing, and/or implementing protection/restoration projects
  
  In addition, preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:
  • Master's Degree or greater in environmental or water resources science, aquatic ecology, plant/animal taxonomy, aquatic invasive species, limnology, urban and regional planning, natural resource conservation, or related field
  • Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and partners on lake, river, watershed, habitat restoration, urban/regional planning and/or similar projects
  • Experience developing local, state and/or federal environmental regulations and policies
  • Training or experience complying with WI Department of Natural Resources policies and regulations related to WI Surface Waters and Great Lakes including procedures, permits, grants, assessments, planning and/or management
  • Experience writing and/or contributing to environmental related management protection or restoration plans (Water Quality, AIS, Watershed, Urban/Regional, Habitat, etc.) monitoring reports, and/or reviewing and administering grant applications
  • Experience with proper methodologies and procedures for collection and analysis of samples and data to determine water quality such as nutrients, biological indicators, and habitats
  
  How To Apply
  
  If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 21575 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.
  
  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.
  
  For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patricia Buchholz in Human Resources at patricia.buchholz@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-2133.
  
  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 send your letter of qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position listed above in the job announcement along with your DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) to the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply 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 Monday, August 10th, 2026.

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