Careers & Internships

DNR Employee with Bird Join the WRD team! The Wildlife Resources Division of Georgia DNR offers internship and career positions.

DNR Career Academy

The Georgia DNR Career Academy gives students the opportunity to explore future career options, receive training and education, and make connections with current DNR employees. Attendees will work alongside field professionals and receive hands-on training from game wardens, park managers, and wildlife, fisheries, and marine technicians while traveling across the state visiting wildlife management areas, state parks, fish hatcheries, historic sites, and Georgia’s coast. This opportunity is only available for high-school students. Read more about the career academy and how to apply by visiting gadnr.org/CareerAcademy.

Job Class Definitions

The Wildlife Resources Division has technician & biologist positions, which require different qualifications, degrees, and levels of experience.

Technicians

Wildlife

The Wildlife Technician job series touches on all field aspects of managing DNR lands. Duties vary from maintaining roads to managing habitat through prescribed fire, helping citizens with nuisance wildlife issues, collecting wildlife research data, and responding to local and state emergencies. Skills such as carpentry and electrical, plus experience using farm and heavy equipment and collecting data, are useful.

Fisheries

In the field, a technician is generally someone who helps with data collection through a wide variety of sampling techniques (trapping, tagging, setting nets, electrofishing, etc.). Technicians also perform direct on-the-ground management activities such as raising fish in hatcheries, fertilizing lakes, and many other ongoing management activities. Operating and maintaining equipment and facilities is also a very important task for these positions.

Biologists

Wildlife

The Wildlife Biologist job series involves field and administrative responsibilities. Duties include monitoring wildlife habitats and populations; planning habitat management on DNR-managed lands and waters; serving on committees guiding management of species or species groups; and, using public comment, data and sound management for regulatory and research needs. Biologists work closely with wildlife technicians on habitat management plans and field work. They help citizens with habitat and wildlife issues. Experience in research, data analysis, habitat management, GIS mapping, databases, and people skills are useful.

Fisheries

From the desk and in the field, a biologist is generally someone who studies and/or manages fish and their habitats. They develop and oversee management plans and activities carried out by technicians, provide technical expertise through environmental reviews, and share knowledge about fish populations through written articles or presentations.

Other

Other positions available in the following job classes include administrative, communications/outreach, education and forestry.

Available Positions

Careers

Job openings are posted at https://gadnr.org/careers.

Seasonal/Part-Time

Seasonal Botany Technician Position Available

The Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section (WCS) office in Social Circle announces a 40 hr/week botany field technician position available summer-winter 2024. This individual will work with Wildlife Biologists and Technicians as a member of the Botany Team on various projects relating to ecology and conservation of rare species and habitats. Primary duties include rare plant and vegetation monitoring throughout Georgia, especially in the coastal plain and sandhills region, followed by a wide range of opportunities in applied conservation and restoration work. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to manual removal of vegetation for habitat management, mapping of individual rare plants and/or natural communities and coordinating with conservation partners. Must be comfortable working independently and as part of a team. The position is based out of our Social Circle office, 45 minutes from Athens and Atlanta. Housing options may be available. Travel is state-wide with overnight stays; transportation and field lodging are provided. Field workdays can be >10 hrs. in physically challenging conditions.

Internships

There are no internship offerings at this time.

FAQ

What degree do I need?

Technician: Associates degree or higher in fisheries or wildlife management, or a related field.

Biologist: Bachelor's degree in fisheries or wildlife management, wildlife or fisheries biology, wildlife or fisheries sciences, or closely related field.

What courses do I need to take?

While many science degree programs may provide a solid background, students seeking a career as a wildlife biologist or technician should focus on management-related degrees or courses that provide the necessary training needed to successfully manage fish and wildlife populations and fish and wildlife habitats. Specialized degrees in wildlife or fisheries science typically provide more job-related training than general biology degrees.

If I don’t have a degree, what about experience?

For a technician position, completion of equivalent coursework (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours) in fisheries or wildlife management or a high school diploma and two years of experience with WRD as a Technician 1.

*Technician 1 qualifications: high school diploma or GED and one year of biology

How do I apply for a full-time position?

DNR Vacancy Announcements are posted here every week: https://gadnr.org/careers.

How do I apply for a part-time position?

Though some positions may be posted here, the best option is to contact your local region office and speak with the region supervisor about opportunities. You can provide a resume which we’ll keep on file for future consideration. Find your local office at https://georgiawildlife.com/about/contact.