Biologist – Bengel Wildlife Center

Hiring Organization: Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Bath, MI
Application Due Date: September 17, 2026

Michigan Wildlife Conservancy is hiring a Biologist

The MWC is a nonprofit organization based at the Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath, MI. Founded in 1982, our mission is to “restore and conserve fish, wildlife, and habitat throughout the state of Michigan and teach others to do the same.” We are hiring a Director of Wildlife Programs to oversee statewide research and local education and restoration efforts. The position is full-time and is based at the Bengel Wildlife Center on 6380 Drumheller Rd, Bath, MI 48808.

Responsibilities:

OVERALL OBJECTIVE – Continue MWC research on rare species, invasive species management, and develop demonstration areas for learning and teaching opportunities along with guided educational events and activities to benefit “The Club” membership at the 259-acre Bengel Wildlife Center (BWC).

This will include development of a formal program to train citizen scientists to assist with

habitat management and field studies.

STATEWIDE RESEARCH ON RARE SPECIES:

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy conducts studies on cougars, pine martens, fishers, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, and other rare species along with collaborators, volunteers and citizen scientists as a part of our Institute for Rare Mammal Studies in Michigan (IRMS). This requires MWC’s Director of Wildlife to recruit and train citizens for work with both plants and animals and lead training sessions and workshops. This individual would also maintain our statewide social media presence focused on rare species education.

BENGEL WILDLIFE CENTER ON-SITE PROGRAMS:

DEVELOPING ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, AND AMENITIES TO GROW MEMBERSHIP OF “THE CLUB”
MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES AND DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL DEMONSTRATION AREAS AT THE BWC

This individual will assist with and promote projects that benefit our current “The Club” members and serve as a recruiting tool for new membership. They will engage with members as they are our greatest resource for volunteer help to maintain the BWC grounds and support our mission work. Previous events have included guided nature hikes, plant sales, and lectures on rare wildlife and MWC research.

They will work to improve and restore habitats within the 259-acre BWC while training citizen scientists by hosting volunteer events. The BWC has invasive plant species on much of the property and facilities to allow a blend of indoor/outdoor education activities. This position must reestablish and develop additional habitat restoration and demonstration plots for both training opportunities and education. In 2026, the BWC completed a 10-year forest management plan for its property outlining recommendations for restoration over the next decade. This individual will carry out these recommendations while working with partners to fund restoration activities through EQIP (the Environmental Quality Incentives Program) as specified in our conservation contract. This individual would be required to obtain Michigan Pesticide Certification within six months or starting the position.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS: BOSS (“BECOMING OUTDOORS SMART IN SUMMER”)

The individual would lead MWC’s BOSS program, which is focused on outdoor education for elementary schoolers. This includes promoting and organizing our current BOSS Summer Day Camps hosted on-site. Meanwhile, they will promote our BOSS curriculum and guidebook statewide and work with Mid-Michigan educators to offer field trips and outdoor experiences to students from kindergarten through college.

WRITING AND EDITING THE WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER

This individual would be in charge of producing all content for our quarterly magazine: the Wildlife Volunteer, distributed statewide to over 300 subscribers. The newsletter focuses on MWC research, projects, and statewide wildlife management, environmental issues, and current events. Experience with the Microsoft Office suite is required.

AND MUCH MUCH MORE

MWC projects are ever changing and evolving as we consider new ones that would be of benefit for the overall good of wildlife and conservation. This individual would help determine the future direction of our research priorities.

Please email a resume and letter of interest to John Ropp to apply: JRopp@Miwildlife.org