Employment Opportunities

Division Descriptions

The Department is organized into ten divisions: Administrative Services, Design & Development, Fisheries, Forestry, Human Resources, Outreach & Education, Private Land Services, Protection, Resource Science and Wildlife.

Administrative Services: The Administrative Services Division provides administrative support by way of two sections and four units: Financial Services Section, Information Technology Services Section, Permit Services Unit, Fleet and Property Services Unit, Flight Services Unit, and General Services Unit. The Division coordinates and administers all budget, revenue, and finance functions; provides technology planning, systems research and design, customer technical support and voice and data network operations; distributes and manages hunting, fishing, commercial and landowner permits; manages the equipment fleet and aviation services; maintains the publications distribution center; and oversees the products and media loan service.
Fisheries: The Fisheries Division professionally manages the fish and associated aquatic plants and animals of Missouri for the use and enjoyment of the people. Management efforts are supported by the Research, Assessment and Monitoring Section, five cold-water fish hatcheries, six warm/coolwater fish hatcheries, the Streams for the Future Team and Central Office staff. The Fisheries Division works to maintain aquatic ecosystem integrity and protect aquatic biodiversity; manage public fisheries resources, provide services to private landowners and provide public information and education.
Forestry: The Forestry Division works to ensure the well-being of the forest resources and addresses what people need from that resource. Forestry staff provides technical advice and assistance that includes monitoring of forest health, tree planting recommendations, advice and recommendations for forest improvement, forest ecology, forest inventory and analysis, forest products marketing and utilization, and overall management of the total forest related resources for its many benefits. (The Department has its own nursery located in Licking, MO.--George O. White.)
Human Resources: Human Resources Division provides services that help the Department to attract and retain qualified employees to accomplish its goals and objectives. Activities are divided into seven major functions: Recruitment and Selection, including Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action; Compensation and Classification Administration; Policy Administration, including law and regulation compliance; Training and Development; Employee Benefits Administration; Employee Relations and Services; and Employee Safety, including Workers' Compensation.
Outreach & Education: The Outreach & Education Division works to help Missourians of all ages understand the value of our plant and animal resources and how to keep them thriving for years to come. Outreach & Education staff also provides hands-on connections with the outdoors through skills classes, nature centers and special events. In addition, they keep people up-to-date about where they can hunt, fish, trap, hike, watch birds and more so they can make their own conservation connections throughout Missouri. Outreach and Education staff work in three main areas: outreach programs, conservation education and outdoor skills. The outreach programs staff produce a variety of information tools, including: the Missouri Conservationist magazine, the "Missouri Outdoors" TV show, books, brochures, videos, our website, exhibits, news, nature shops and more. The conservation education staff work through schools and nature centers to help Missourians learn more about putting conservation into practice. The outdoor skills staff provide school-based skills training as well as classes for youth and adults who want to hunt, fish, camp, hike or enjoy the outdoors through safe and ethical nature-based recreation.
Private Land Services: The Private Land Services Division helps Missouri landowners achieve their land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of Missouri's natural resources. Private Land Services staff promote the wise use of fish, forest, wildlife and natural communities through voluntary participation, information, financial assistance and partnerships. This includes prompt, professional assistance to landowners to evaluate natural resource and wildlife damage conditions, and recommend management and improvement techniques. They establish partnerships with other state and federal agencies, commodity groups, agri-businesses and conservation organizations to develop and achieve common natural resource goals. They strive to encourage a land management ethic among landowners, increase community involvement, build trust and heighten understanding of the Department's mission.
Protection: The Protection Division is responsible for enforcement of the Wildlife Code and related statutes on both private and public lands. While Protection Division is charged with the responsibility for resource law enforcement, conservation agents perform many other duties. Conservation agents are assigned to each county in Missouri, and represent the Department in a wide variety of programs. Agents administer the hunter education program in their local area. Agents provide conservation information and education through newspaper articles, adult and youth meetings, exhibits, clinics, and radio/television programs. Protection Division personnel provide basic information and materials for fish, wildlife and forest management to Missouri citizens. Conservation agents are actively involved in administering the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), the Landowners Assisting Wildlife Survival program (LAWS), and the Private Pond Inspection/Stocking Program. In addition, conservation agents routinely make contacts with landowners who have wildlife depredation or nuisance problems, poaching or trespass problems and a host of other needs. Protection Division cooperates with the Conservation Federation of Missouri in administering Operation Game Thief and Share The Harvest programs. Protection Division personnel must be well versed in all major Department programs at the local level.
Resource Science: Science Division ensures integration of population dynamics, habitat relationships, and constituent desires into science-based management and policy for grassland, agricultural, forest, wetland, and aquatic systems. An emphasis on biometrics, GIS/GPS technologies, and database management is required for sound study design, comprehensive analysis, and confident reporting of research and monitoring results. Science services in the form of diagnostics, genetics research, forest entomology, and water quality investigations provide specialized assistance for resource professionals as well as the Missouri public. Assisting resource managers with evaluation of their fish, wildlife, and habitat management efforts also is a priority for Science Division. Special emphasis on species and communities of concern through surveys, monitoring and comprehensive databases is dedicated to protecting endangered species, wildlife diversity and natural community conservation. Training of resource managers through specialized workshops provides skills in taxonomy, field sampling methods, and technical applications. Science Division also provides technical support for establishing harvest regulations, conservation planning, and public information through popular and professional publications.
Wildlife: The Wildlife Division is responsible for the management of Missouri's wildlife resources to best serve the long-term interests of the people of the state. Accomplishing this objective involves a wide range of programs and activities on public and private land. Administration of hunting seasons, uses and coordination with other agencies help ensure that wildlife and wildlife habitat receive full consideration in all land management activities. The Wildlife Division also provides a number of special services designed to aid people in many aspects of wildlife conservation. These include management advice to individuals and groups interested in wild animals, assistance to alleviate wildlife damage, personal appearances as speakers on wildlife topics and preparation of publications, reports, regional plans and replies to inquiries.

Careers in Conservation

The Department of Conservation provides both challenging and rewarding employment opportunities. Conservation positions allow employees to contribute something worthwhile to society and most employees truly enjoy what they do. The very nature of the work enables many employees to be involved in projects which help shape the future of Missouri's natural resources. Employees are enthusiastic due to the work environment, the people they work with and the fact they are doing something worthwhile.The Conservation Department has a wide variety of jobs. Conservation careers can be challenging and satisfying, but can also be very demanding. Work schedules can be irregular and require long hours. Some employees will work according to nature's schedule. Conservation positions may involve high levels of physical activity and being outdoors, while others divide time between being outdoors and in the office. Administrative and support positions may involve the majority of time in an office. Regardless of the type of work being performed, conservation employees understand their work assists in preserving resources.

Working with People

Most conservation positions require excellent communication skills because of frequent contact with the public. Often, employees are asked to speak to groups about conservation subjects. Public contact also occurs when employees gather information or enforce wildlife rules and regulations.

Diversification in the Work Force

Our natural resources contain many species of plants and animals. Management of these resources is enhanced when a diversified work force, representing all segments of the population, is involved. This includes males and females of various ages, races and ability levels. The Missouri Department of Conservation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Political Activities

Your political view is not a consideration in obtaining and holding your job with the Department. How you vote and whether you contribute to any political party is your own business. No employee of the Department may take any active part in politics or political campaigns, but all employees are urged to vote their convictions.