Description

This position will be responsible for wildlife management activities in the in the greater Conrad area (including but not limited to part or all of Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Chouteau, Pondera and Teton Counties). Designs and implements projects which enhance and maintain wildlife habitat on private, public and FWP owned lands, including: developing contracts to protect and enhance habitat using programs such as the FWP Upland Game Bird Enhancement and Migratory Bird Programs, Habitat Montana, and private funding sources; provide technical assistance to public land management agencies for habitat improvements and reviews resource management plans, grazing allotments and other environmental documents; oversee public use management and habitat development/management on the FWP owned Blackleaf and Marias River WMA’s. Designs and conducts field investigations to determine the characteristics and dynamics of wildlife populations and their habitats and uses this information to make recommendations for hunting season proposals, quotas, and habitat and access projects, includes surveying big game, upland game bird and nongame populations; compiling, analyzing and interpreting data; and designing and implementing special investigations and research studies.  Increases opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife resources by: improving hunter access to private and public lands by developing solid working relationships with private landowners, implementing the Block Management and Upland Game Bird Enhancement Programs and through potential conservation leases, conservation easements and fee title acquisition; collaborate with USFS, BLM, DNRC and Tribal (Blackfeet Reservation) personnel; expand distribution of selected species by trapping and/or transplanting into suitable unoccupied habitats. Responds to game damage complaints and takes or recommends appropriate actions to alleviate problems. In conjunction with FWP health lab plays a critical role in disease management (CWD) in the Region as well with adjoining FWP Regions, Canada and Tribal partners.

This position requires a creative and energetic person who is a life-long-learner, and capable of pioneering new approaches to wildlife conservation that address issues of the day, and issues of the future.  A demonstrated interest in - and working knowledge of - the natural history of a broad array of wildlife species is essential.  The position also requires proven “people skills” (interpersonal relationships, communications, networking, team building, coaching, facilitation), an ability to maintain good working relationships with the breadth of stakeholders in wildlife issues (agricultural interests, conservation community, industry, state and federal agencies, and Tribes) and a demonstrated record of accomplishment in conflict management and collaborative problem solving.  Patience and persistence are necessary traits.  Leadership, and collaborative skills and ability to pioneer data management systems are just as important to this position as an aptitude and ability to conduct fieldwork.  Good organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently are essential to this position.

Requirements

For more information and to apply, click here.

You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.  Please apply before closing date of November 16, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Range Management, Zoology or Biology, including completion of a field research project presented in a successfully defended thesis. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Equivalent experience is defined as five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a wildlife biologist or senior wildlife technician that includes the examples of:

       -Literature review and development of a problem statement and/or hypothesis for a particular issue.
       -Development of a detailed study plan or sampling protocol for a field-oriented project based on the above-noted hypothesis.
       -Data collection and the effective management of data with an appropriate application.
       -Interpretation and analysis of data, including a quantitative assessment of that information.
       -Completion of a final report in a peer-reviewed publication or a publication comparable to a refereed journal.
       -If appropriate to the project, formulation of any recommended changes in management prescriptions and/or actions.
       -Oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff or public audience.

If you feel you meet the equivalent experience, please provide a supplemental document in your application that indicates your experience level relative to each point listed above.