Explore a Career with the South Dakota State Government
Outdoor Recreation Engagement Specialist
Pierre, SD
PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Job ID: 31166
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $64,101.60-$80,116.56 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: K
Closing Date: 05/02/2025
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Game Fish & Parks. For more information on the Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/ .
This position is located at the Game, Fish and Parks Central Headquarters in Pierre, but we would consider other GFP office locations for the right candidate.
Why the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks?
Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) is not just a job. It is a life passion. It is about working together as a team with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state's rich outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities for people to enjoy is one of the best jobs in state government. Our atmosphere empowers professional success, team building, and facilitating relationships with organizations to ensure the highest level of customer service, satisfaction, and internal productivity.
All we need is you to join Team GFP!
Sound like a good fit so far? As a member of Team GFP, here is what you will experience:
Who We're Looking For?
We are seeking a creative, motivated, and engaging relationship-builder to drive statewide efforts in reaching diverse audiences, removing barriers to participation for outdoor recreationists, and developing recruitment, retention, and reactivation strategies for hunters, anglers, shooting sports participants, trappers, and outdoor recreationists.
A person who has strong analytic skills is highly desired. The right candidate will also have an enthusiastic, organized, and task-oriented personality with the ability to develop meaningful community and department-wide relationships. This person will have comfort in educating audiences of various sizes and be intimately familiar with R3 efforts to effectively engage broader audiences in outdoor recreation. Strong reading, writing, speaking, time management and critical thinking skills are essential. This individual must possess the ability to collaboratively develop creative solutions to address long-standing challenges.
In addition to R3 background and awareness, knowledge of hunting, fishing, conservation science, and outdoor skills is necessary due to the importance and value of seeking diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and talents within the communities we serve. Lastly, this person must have the ability to implement interpersonal communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
The candidate must have impeccable computer skills: the ability to perform data analysis, Microsoft teams, Microsoft suite, Outlook, and Excel data tables, and events and volunteer management software.
Additionally, the ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in education, communications/marketing, biology, business, consumer affairs, natural resource/conservation management, environmental science, or 2-5 years of similar professional experience is required.
Qualified candidates must have strong written and oral communication skills, be self-motivated and punctual, deploy high-quality organizational skills, and are passionate about serving the public while carrying out the Game, Fish, and Park's mission. Supervisory experience is preferred but not required. Professional experience in leading and shaping teams is ideal. Candidates must also apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to each area of the position and be able to communicate well.
What You Will Do
More specifically, you will perform these duties:
Regular hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some evening and weekend work or travel required.
What South Dakota has to Offer
South Dakota is centrally located in the U.S. and boasts the beautiful Missouri River and the Black Hills. Our state has a rich frontier history and is a premier outdoor destination, offering some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the nation. Fishing, hunting, and photography are all popular activities that offer year-round opportunities for residents. Multiple state parks are ideal getaways for camping, hiking, and biking. Many towns offer the amenities of a larger city but with a small-town feel. If you enjoy a career that is both exciting and challenging, possess good organizational and communication skills, and want to make a difference in public service, we'd like to hear from you!
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Knowledge of:
Skill to:
Ability to:
Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1HI
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
#LI-Onsite
Job ID: 31166
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $64,101.60-$80,116.56 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: K
Closing Date: 05/02/2025
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Game Fish & Parks. For more information on the Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/ .
This position is located at the Game, Fish and Parks Central Headquarters in Pierre, but we would consider other GFP office locations for the right candidate.
Why the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks?
Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) is not just a job. It is a life passion. It is about working together as a team with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state's rich outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities for people to enjoy is one of the best jobs in state government. Our atmosphere empowers professional success, team building, and facilitating relationships with organizations to ensure the highest level of customer service, satisfaction, and internal productivity.
All we need is you to join Team GFP!
Sound like a good fit so far? As a member of Team GFP, here is what you will experience:
- Innovation - Team GFP is consistently revolutionizing enhancements to outdoor recreation in terms of technology and the total customer experience. This management position is responsible for the development and oversight of the implementation of public policy focused on recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) strategies to support the agency and other nationwide programs and services.
- Collaboration and Communication - This position provides support, feedback, planning strategies, and insights on all statewide programming and efforts while working with a variety of staff to ensure effective and consistent implementation.
- Professional Development - We provide training and support for you to become an expert in the field and obtain the skills necessary to be successful in your position.
- Task Diversity - The work duties are never boring. Your duties may include meetings with coworkers, collaborating with other government representatives, representing the Department at Commission meetings and national conferences, visiting one of our state parks and recreation areas, or working to enhance habitat on a game production area.
- Part of the Big Picture - This is a leadership position that will align and implement department, state, and national engagement content marketing and communications strategies, special project assignments from local, other state and federal partners, public relations needs, and oversight of the implementation and evaluation of all awareness and programming efforts.
Who We're Looking For?
We are seeking a creative, motivated, and engaging relationship-builder to drive statewide efforts in reaching diverse audiences, removing barriers to participation for outdoor recreationists, and developing recruitment, retention, and reactivation strategies for hunters, anglers, shooting sports participants, trappers, and outdoor recreationists.
A person who has strong analytic skills is highly desired. The right candidate will also have an enthusiastic, organized, and task-oriented personality with the ability to develop meaningful community and department-wide relationships. This person will have comfort in educating audiences of various sizes and be intimately familiar with R3 efforts to effectively engage broader audiences in outdoor recreation. Strong reading, writing, speaking, time management and critical thinking skills are essential. This individual must possess the ability to collaboratively develop creative solutions to address long-standing challenges.
In addition to R3 background and awareness, knowledge of hunting, fishing, conservation science, and outdoor skills is necessary due to the importance and value of seeking diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and talents within the communities we serve. Lastly, this person must have the ability to implement interpersonal communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
The candidate must have impeccable computer skills: the ability to perform data analysis, Microsoft teams, Microsoft suite, Outlook, and Excel data tables, and events and volunteer management software.
Additionally, the ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in education, communications/marketing, biology, business, consumer affairs, natural resource/conservation management, environmental science, or 2-5 years of similar professional experience is required.
Qualified candidates must have strong written and oral communication skills, be self-motivated and punctual, deploy high-quality organizational skills, and are passionate about serving the public while carrying out the Game, Fish, and Park's mission. Supervisory experience is preferred but not required. Professional experience in leading and shaping teams is ideal. Candidates must also apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to each area of the position and be able to communicate well.
What You Will Do
- Conduct data and trend analysis
- Define metrics to measure effectiveness and success
- Collaborate with educators, managers, and biologists
- Customer engagement
- Provide professional development
- Supervise HuntSafe Coordinator
- Develop and manage budgets and grants
- Establish and build a foundation for long-term outdoor recreation participation
More specifically, you will perform these duties:
- Work closely with Wildlife and Parks education team members responsible for hunter education on program development and evaluation to facilitate education and R3 strategic planning efforts. Work with department staff to track and evaluate goals and objectives related to Education and R3.
- Collaborate with Wildlife and Parks education staff to develop, plan, administer, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the statewide angler, hunting, trapping, and shooting sport efforts.
- Analyze licensing and marketing data to determine overall program efficiency and effectiveness; with an emphasis on evaluating churn rates of hunters, anglers, and trappers. Communicate project results and recommendations to the senior management team.
- Attract and retain participation in angling, hunting, trapping, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation; identify target audiences and barriers to participation.
- Assess resources and develop strategies and budgets for effective implementation of engagement initiatives.
- Coordinate with communication and marketing staff to develop relevant, engaging, effective outreach content and customer engagement strategies. Responsible for developing hunter and angler marketing strategies that drive recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts.
- Expand capacity within new and current stakeholders for programs that fill gaps in R3 efforts; assist with various programs where applicable.
- Represent South Dakota on regional and national committees related to engaging people with the outdoors.
Regular hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some evening and weekend work or travel required.
What South Dakota has to Offer
South Dakota is centrally located in the U.S. and boasts the beautiful Missouri River and the Black Hills. Our state has a rich frontier history and is a premier outdoor destination, offering some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the nation. Fishing, hunting, and photography are all popular activities that offer year-round opportunities for residents. Multiple state parks are ideal getaways for camping, hiking, and biking. Many towns offer the amenities of a larger city but with a small-town feel. If you enjoy a career that is both exciting and challenging, possess good organizational and communication skills, and want to make a difference in public service, we'd like to hear from you!
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Knowledge of:
- principles used in education, in particular related to outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting sports;
- principles of effective human relations and dealing with the public;
- the challenges and opportunities related to the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of outdoor users.
Skill to:
- effectively communicate with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public; organize, analyze, and interpret large datasets;
- effectively lead teams;
- confidently provide recommendations to enhance and increase outdoor recreational opportunities.
Ability to:
- effectively plan and organize work activities and prioritize task completion to meet schedules and deadlines; present and promote department priorities and services;
- budget monetary, material, and equipment resources;
- supervise staff;
- collaborate with department staff and other stakeholders.
Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1HI
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
#LI-Onsite