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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:

  • Law Enforcement Officer I - Cadet 

    This is a specialized trainee (Cadet) position for entry-level law enforcement, natural resources protection, and conservation work as a Conservation Officer I, for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Employment is contingent upon successful completion after the appointment of the basic curriculum approved by the Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training and an agency-defined specialized training regimen, as well as successful completion of pre-defined requalification standards.

 

  • Specialized Trades Worker II - Fisheries Bureau

    This is a construction and heavy equipment operator position in the Fisheries Bureau's Boating Access Program. The primary duties include building boat ramps and fishing piers across the state. Operating, maintaining, and hauling of heavy equipment will be required and frequent travel is to be expected. It will involve site preparation, forming and pouring concrete, and carpentry work.

 

  • Maintenance and Grounds Team Lead

    Work Involves performing general maintenance and repairs within a state operated institution or government complex; directing crews assigned to the construction and repair of state buildings or equipment; formulating initial cost estimates for labor and material used in the completion of projects; and inspecting work upon completion to ensure compliance.  

    • Salary: $34,287.55 (Annually)
    • Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM
    • Applications can be sent to Jobs@wfp.ms.gov

 

  • Maintenance and Grounds Team Lead

    Work Involves performing general maintenance and repairs within a state operated institution or government complex; directing crews assigned to the construction and repair of state buildings or equipment; formulating initial cost estimates for labor and material used in the completion of projects; and inspecting work upon completion to ensure compliance.  

    • Salary: $34,287.55 (Annually)
    • Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM
    • Applications can be sent to Jobs@wfp.ms.gov

 

  • Human Resources Generalist II (Payroll)

    The Payroll Coordinator at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) oversees all payroll operations, ensuring timely, accurate processing and compliance with state and federal regulations. This role manages payroll for both contract and permanent employees, reconciles payroll data, and collaborates with HR and budget teams to align compensation and expenditures. The coordinator serves as the primary contact for payroll inquiries, maintains records, monitors procedures for regulatory compliance, and ensures operations meet strict deadlines and high-volume demands.

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!