Wildlife Management (Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie: job openings, living, cost of living)

[jmmcnally]

I am a wildlife management student and plan on working for the government. What are good ideas as far as relocation, pay, cost of living, etc?

Also, I plan on furthering my education by getting a masters in wildlife biology. I think that should affect where I accept a job at.

[Froggie Legs]

Have you tried looking on the US Fish and Wildlife website or the Department of Natural Resources website for employment opportunities? I would start there, since those are the two main gov't agencies for wildlife management employment.

[jmmcnally]

Honestly, I really want to know more about like, what I need to do to prepare. Say, I except a job in Wyoming, but know nothing of the state, where the best places to live are, etc. I would be screwing myself over. I want information like living before I take a job.

Thanks

[Froggie Legs]

Well I would suppose that really depends on where in Wyoming the job is located. Again, are either of those agencies listing jobs in your field within Wyoming? Otherwise, to know more about Wyoming you could read through some of the posts on this board as there are very knowledgeable Wyoming-ites here.

Wyoming Game and Fish - Job Openings - 79 Wyoming fish and game has some listed.

there was also a job listed in Rock Springs Fish and Wildlife Biologist Job

Those I just found from doing a search of "Wildlife Conservation Jobs Wyoming"... there are bound to be more... but without a specific area in mind I'm not sure what to tell you about "where the best places to live are" et al. Do you want mountains or valleys? rocky landscapes or grassy? where is it that you are living currently, and have you ever been to Wyoming?

[jmmcnally]

I have driven through Wyoming and that's it. I am adventurous so I am interested in moving away. I live in Texas currently and am really wanting to get away from here.

I understand if I work for the national government, I have better chances of getting a job in states like Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, South and North Dakota, Utah, Alaska, etc. Texas is not included.

I love the mountains, the landscape, the air quality, and the weather. I don't have to be right in them, but near would be great.

[WyoNewk]

Are you wanting suggestions on nice places to live in Wyoming? Usually the job opening comes first, then you decide if you like the area, but if you want the prime locations, I'd put Lander, Buffalo, Sheridan and Cody at the top of my favorite, most livable towns list. Jackson, of course, would rate right up there too, except for its high cost of living and the fact that it's pretty remote to any larger cities.

Even Gillette, where I live, is pretty decent. It's a little more than an hour away from either the Bighorn Mountains or Black Hills, but it's a nice, progressive smaller city with lots of amenities. Wyoming's biggest "cities" are Casper, Cheyenne and Laramie. They're not bad either -- just depends on what you like.

[NVDave]

Don't count out Nevada.

NDOW's main offices are in Reno, but their projects are out in the field, they do a lot of data collection and management efforts in remote locations. There is an office out of Elko too.