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Thinking of entering the field of resource management and outdoor recreation?
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Are you interested in the field of resource conservation? The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) offers a variety of career opportunities. All are dedicated to, or support, the conservation of Mississippi's natural resources and the enhancement of outdoor recreation.  These jobs require varied levels of education and experience.

Current openings at MDWFP include:

  • Fisheries Biologist - NE Region

    About this Position: This is a fisheries biologist position in Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo, MS, Starkville, MS, Columbus, MS). Primary duties include assisting with fisheries management on public waters which involve population sampling, habitat surveys, analyzing and interpreting data, and managing aquatic vegetation. Other duties include providing technical guidance to private pond owners, assisting with youth fishing events, giving presentations, writing popular and scientific articles, and operating and maintaining equipment, such as boats and outboard motors.

    What You'll Need to be Successful: This position will require technical knowledge and experience in freshwater fisheries management. The applicant should have good organizational skills, good computer skills, good time management skills, and have good written and verbal communication skills.

    Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 2-4 years of experience.

    • Salary: $47,461.41 (Annually)
    • Open Date: 9/12/2025
    • Closing Date: 9/22/2025 11:59 PM
    • Apply Here 

 

  • Environmental/Natural Resources Biologist III (Herpetologist)

    About this Position: This position is responsible for the planning, coordination, and management of a state-wide program on the ecology, conservation, and management of amphibians, reptiles, and their communities. This includes conducting advanced levels of basic and applied scientific research and maintaining the state herpetology collection according to recognized professional standards.    

    What You'll Need to be Successful: This position will require extensive field work in various weather conditions and will regularly consist of 10-12 hour days. During field season, this position will require overnight trips on a semi-weekly basis with hotel and meals provided during those trips. This position requires knowledge of the techniques and equipment used for monitoring reptiles and amphibians, including venomous species. When not in the field, this position will focus on the curation of the museum’s herpetological collection. This position is based out of the Museum of Natural Science and may also include duties as assigned including but not limited to: participating in various events, assisting with exhibit take down and set up, and helping with summer camp and other educational outreach. 

    Minimum Qualifications: A Master's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in wildlife/fisheries ecology/biology or in wildlife/fisheries conservation/management or a field of study defined by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and Four (4) years of work experience directly related to the above-described duties.  Directly related education above the Master's Degree and directly related experience may be substituted on an equal basis.

    • Salary: $43,509.31 - $74,237.76 (Annually)
    • Open Date: 9/4/2025
    • Closing Date: 9/24/2025 11:59 PM
    • Apply Here


 

Explore Career Opportunities within MDWFP

Wildlife and Fisheries Management

Management and monitoring of Mississippi's wildlife and fisheries resources are important tasks in ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy our valuable natural resources. The men and women who work in this field conduct research and surveys and manage land and timber, construct and maintain boat launching ramps and fishing piers on public lakes and streams, and oversee hunting and fishing on public areas. Job opportunities in this area include research and management biologists, technicians, managers for the agency's wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state and park lakes, land and timber managers, and construction crews.

Parks and Recreation

Careers in this field are dedicated to providing safe, family-oriented outdoor recreational and educational experiences to Mississippi's residents and visitors to our beautiful state parks.

In this field, a person may find career opportunities in park management, construction, skilled crafts, maintenance, park security, food service, historical interpretation and housekeeping.

Law Enforcement

The men and women who work in this field are probably the most visible of all MDWFP employees. Conservation officers, of course, help ensure compliance with the state's game and fish laws, but that is just a part of their job. They also serve as public relations representatives and teachers in the field because they have direct contact with hunters, fishermen and other outdoor participants and field observers.

Included in this field are the MDWFP hunting and boating safety programs. Employees in the hunter safety program are responsible for educating people on the ethical use of the outdoors, game and fish laws, firearms safety and woodsmanship.

Employees in the boater education program instruct people on the safe handling of boats, laws and regulations pertaining to use of public waters and boating ethics.

Learn more

Museum of Natural Science

The Museum of Natural Science serves as an educational outreach for the department, reaching school children, their teachers and others throughout the state. The museum also serves as headquarters for the department's non-game and endangered species research.

The museum houses more than 250,000 specimen collections, including birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, mollusks and fish.

At the museum, a person may find such career opportunities as exhibits specialist, aquarium keeper, conservationist, biologist, educator and librarian.

Support Services

This field represents the nuts-and-bolts area of support operations in MDWFP. Employees in this field provide important logistical support for all the department's programs. This division enables employees in other areas to concentrate their efforts on their respective goals.

In support services, you will find accountants, personnel specialists, fleet managers, secretaries, licensing and boat registration personnel, clerks, property officers, planners, computer specialists, purchasing agents and warehouse personnel.

Marketing, Communications, and Media

People who pursue this field will find themselves serving as the communications link between the MDWFP and the public.

This field is dedicated to protecting the department's image, informing the public about department activities and keeping people up to date with events, programs, and more.

MDWFP marketing, communications, and media employees produce newsletters, magazines, videos, television programs, podcasts, outreach material, answer inquiries from the public, participate in promotional trade shows and create outreach initiatives to engage the public in learning more about the outdoors.

Career opportunities in this field include writers, editors, photographers, videographers, video producers, graphic artists, and marketing professionals.

Internship Opportunities

This is work performed by college/university undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' Internship Program. Interns may perform a variety of duties designed to provide skills and experience in one of the diverse career fields within the Agency. Work assignments are performed in a specific career field related to the student's major or minor course of study. Supervision is received from a bureau advisor who assigns projects, gives preliminary instructions, reviews work accomplishments, and correlates his/her supervisory work with the institution's internship facility advisor. Internships are available for spring, summer, and fall semesters.

Application

For Detailed Information

The qualifications for positions with the MDWFP are detailed in job descriptions available through the State Personnel Board and local state Employment Service offices.

Additionally, the MDWFP has publications outlining general qualifications for some wildlife and fisheries jobs. These may be obtained by Writing: 

MDWFP Personnel Office
P.O. Box 451
Jackson, MS  39205-0451.

The MDWFP is an equal opportunity employer and provider of programs and services. If anyone believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, national origin, marital status, sex, religion, creed, age or disability, they may file a complaint with either the Mississippi Department of Wildlife,  Fisheries, and Parks, Human Resources, P.O. Box 451, Jackson MS 39205-0451, or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20507.

Find a Career Today
Thinking of entering the field of resource management and outdoor recreation?
Apply today!