Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: October 30, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: November 2, 2026

Agency Information:

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is an executive branch agency in charge of operating and regulating the use of state parks, state lakes, recreational grounds, wildlife areas and sanctuaries, fish hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites and other lands, waters, and facilities for the promotion of public health, safety, and for the use and pleasure of visitors. The agency is also charged with the development and conservation of wildlife and the natural resources within the state. The agency oversees 29 state parks, 500 miles of trails, approximately 460,301 acres of leased or owned public lands, management of four hatcheries, and four nature centers.

To meet our mission, projects, and goals, KDWP employs approximately 466 full time employees and up to 350 temporary employees, throughout the state, with diverse and varying skillsets. The largest agency office is the Operations Offices in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are four Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, Hays, and Dodge City; six District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, Colby, Fort Scott, Garden City, and Mound City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone of at least 21 years of age

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Cheyenne Bottoms, Great Bend, Barton, Public Lands, Law Enforcement

Compensation: $25.73/hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Immediate comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Kansas Police and Fire Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

**Position Summary:**This permanent, full-time unclassified position is located at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, in the Public Lands Division, Region 4; and is directly supervised by Jason Wagner, Public Lands Manager III.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Key Responsibilities:

• Involved in the management of waterfowl, wildlife, wetlands, mixed grass uplands, and moist-soil impoundments at 19,998-acre Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.
• Oversees habitat development work including vegetation control, regulation of water levels in wetland units, planting and cultivation of crops, grasses, and legumes to provide food & shelter for wildlife.
• Supervises and participates in the construction, maintenance and repair of area, buildings, equipment, levees, water control structures and pumps, roads, ditches, dikes, and utilities; plans, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff responsible for public safety, construction, maintenance, habitat management development, law enforcement assistance and public relations.
• Promotes wildlife conservation through public speaking, writing and general contact.
• Cooperates with Conservation Officers to enforce laws, rules and regulations; conducts waterfowl check stations which involves direct contact with vast numbers of sportsmen; and assists in scientific field studies and experiments relating to wildlife and recreational use.
• Administers and participates in law enforcement activities on assigned areas; detects violations, makes arrests, collects evidence, prepares cases and testifies, as required-must be a credible witness in court, cooperates/coordinates with all KDWP Law Enforcement Officers and local law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations for the protection of resources, visitors and facilities.

Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or GED equivalent

Licensing & Certification: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.

Minimum Qualifications: High School diploma or GED equivalent. One year of experience in directing a field office with operations relevant to the agency’s operations. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in wildlife science/management or fisheries science/management preferred.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

**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.

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 position 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.
• 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.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Laverne Taylor

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 620-672-0704

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

The following are the required items to apply:

1) a letter of interest

2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address

3) transcript material, if you wish to include them

4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system

Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.

Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

**Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE):**Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.