Job Description

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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

Resume

Cover Letter

Reference

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 September 7, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Please note: The union contract is currently under negotiation and the wage is subject to change.

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 releases 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.

Job Information:

We are seeking to fill an area wildlife biologist position to be located in southeastern Montana in Jordan. Jordan covers a large area of prime habitat that includes portions of the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana FWP Region 7. Jordan is a small town in Garfield County with a population of approximately 360 people. The area is part of the Hell Creek Formation which has been intensively studied with many fascinating archaeological discoveries. 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.

The Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the implementation of the Department's wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan in Jordan. This includes designing and conducting field investigations on wildlife populations and habitats, preparing wildlife management recommendations, communicating department programs and policies, informing the public of wildlife and habitat matters, maintaining, enhancing, and protecting wildlife habitat and hunting access on private and public lands and maintaining proficiency as a professional wildlife scientist.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Survey, capture, and handling methods frequently involve stressful and dangerous situations. Surveys require use of low-level fixed wing and helicopter flights in mountain valley, foothill and high mountain habitats. Capturing and handling big game animals involves the use of controlled substances and potentially lethal immobilization chemicals and handling big game animals such as deer, elk, bears, lions, moose, and sheep.

Wildlife surveys and inventories often require use of light aircraft and helicopter at low altitudes and in hazardous flying conditions, sitting in confined spaces with exposure to high noise levels.

Field work is often carried out alone in rugged terrain during unpredictable and inclement weather conditions. Hours of work are often long and irregular and include evening meetings and occasional weekend work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

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.

Must have a thorough knowledge and ability to integrate the arts and sciences of wildlife population biology, plant and animal ecology, soil science, research techniques and the principles of wildlife management. Must have the essential skills and knowledge to determine management parameters that must be inventoried. To fulfill the duties of a field biologist, an individual must have a thorough knowledge of the biology, behavior, and ecology of a diversity of wildlife including 10 species of big game, 7 upland game birds, 9 furbearers and numerous non-game species. Knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology is necessary for sex and condition analysis and investigation of cause of death.

The biologist must have a clear understanding of the habitat requirements of important endemic and introduced wildlife species and how those requirements vary across a broad range of ecotypes. The biologist must be familiar with and be able to implement a variety of habitat and vegetation survey techniques. Knowledge of plant identification and physiology and ecology is required.

A biologist must be capable of entering, analyzing, and summarizing data, as well as correlating complex data sets and analyzing and reconciling conflicting and often unclear relationships. Must have thorough knowledge of the laws, policies and regulations under which the agency operates. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate verbally and in writing with employees, other agencies, corporations and various public and private factions.

A biologist must be familiar with a variety of specialized wild animal capture and handling techniques including chemical immobilization, helicopter drive nets, net guns, rocket propelled nets, clover traps, corral traps and foot snares. Experience with radio telemetry equipment including aerial and ground relocation techniques is necessary.

Must have a demonstrated ability to conceptualize wildlife problems, design projects to test hypotheses, conduct field studies, compile and analyze wildlife data, interpret results, present conclusions and recommendations, communicate complex issues and ideas to diverse public; collectively in a way that effectively influences decision makers at the Federal, State, County and private landowner levels. Must have demonstrated ability in conflict resolution and negotiation skills. Must have demonstrated ability and desire to collaborate with others (researchers, managers, specialists) internal and external to the Department working in their area of responsibility. Ability to perform tasks independent of close supervision is essential.

Requires a thorough knowledge of FWP's habitat program including land conservation tools like conservation easements, grazing system design and management, upland game bird and waterfowl enhancement program, and approaches to evaluating habitat impacts by wildlife, livestock and human activities. Must have the skills and knowledge of appropriate and accepted wildlife survey techniques and the skills and abilities to select and utilize technical equipment essential for wildlife management operations in the Region.

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.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Casual work, Relocation, Afternoon shift,

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