Habitat Specialist

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• References

Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on May 29^th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1, 2026.

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Specific Job Information:

The Habitat Specialist is a unique opportunity to work on large scale habitat conservation of grasslands and sagebrush grasslands across Eastern Montana.  The position covers large geographical areas consisting of a mix of public and private lands tied to agriculture (farming/ranching).  The position requires extensive travel with the area of responsibility to meet with landowners and complete site visits during all times of year and at times in adverse weather conditions.  The incumbent must be willing to initiate contact with landowners and partnering agencies and organizations on a daily basis.  The incumbent must be willing to spend time away from home or duty station. In addition to working outdoors, this position requires considerable office work, developing proposals and contracts and associated information as well as coordinating activities with department staff, landowners, and partners.

We are seeking to fill a position to be located in eastern Montana, specifically Miles City.  Below is the bio for the stationed location:

The Miles City position is located in the Region 7 Headquarters in Miles City, MT.  Miles City is in the heart of the “Old West” and is the urban hub for the areas vast ranching and farming communities.  The town is approximately 9,000 people and has a friendly, rural, atmosphere.  Miles City sits at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers, two prairie rivers that provide irrigation and municipal water, and countless opportunities for floating and fishing recreation.  The vast and dynamic grasslands and arid forests that constitute SE Montana provide some of the best hunting for birds, antelope, elk, and mule deer, while the riparian areas of the prairie rivers sustain turkeys and white-tailed deer.   Approximately three quarters of region 7 consist of private lands with much of this landscape tied to agricultural (farming/ranching).

Job Duties:

FWP is implementing a landscape-scale Habitat Conservation Lease program with the goal of conserving up to 500,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat over the next 5 years.  The Habitat Specialist will help develop and deliver Habitat Conservation Leases (HCLs), complete review and approval process for proposed HCLs, and will monitor HCLs and other conservation properties for compliance with agreement terms.  This position is responsible for interacting with landowners and answering landowner questions about the program, reviewing HCL applications, completing site visits of proposed HCLs, completing checklist EAs for proposals and conducting required public meetings, completing the lease agreement, generating project summaries, and monitoring HCLs on a regular basis for compliance.  The employee will be responsible for overseeing completion of projects, promoting the program to expand landowner interest and constituent support, and, where appropriate, seeking opportunities to enhance program delivery or support habitat restoration work related to HCLs.  The employee may also do compliance monitoring of other FWP conservation properties such as annual compliance checks of conservation easements.

The Habitat Specialist will serve as a point of contact, representing the department when working with other agencies and conservation organizations, for promoting program objectives.  Employee will be responsible for initiating personal contacts and making formal presentations. Ability to effectively work with private landowners, sportspersons, state and federal agencies, NGO’s, and other members of the public is essential to the job.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of

education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, range science, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and related work experience or at least 5 years of work experience that is specifically related to skill sets and abilities needed for these positions. Combinations of education and experience will be

considered on a case-by-case basis.

Salary : $56,056