Forest Policy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana's forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other. 
• We create collaborative work environments. 
• We build and maintain strong relationships. 
• We practice accountability. 
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work

Work Unit Overview:
The mission of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC or Department) is to ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The Forestry/Trust Lands Division (FTLD) plans and implements forestry and fire management programs through an extensive network of staff in field offices across the state. Division functions include fire protection, forestry assistance, Good Neighbor Authority, business management, policy, planning, and outreach. The Division also administers and manages state trust timber, surface, and mineral resources for the benefit of the common schools and other endowed institutions in Montana, including program areas such as Agriculture and Grazing Management, Forest Management, Minerals Management, and Real Estate Management.

Position Summary:
These positions are responsible for program administration and advanced professional forestry functions necessary to generate revenue for school trust funds, perpetuate natural resources within the office's jurisdictional area, and developing techniques and methods to meet the Trust Land Management Division's multiple forestry objectives.  The incumbents applies the theories, concepts, principles, and practices of a wide variety of natural resource disciplines; strong organizational methods, and effective oral and written communication and public speaking to represent the Department with the general public, environmental groups, other agencies, specialists, the media, cooperators, and others.  The incumbents work with a diverse group of people and direct and coordinate the efforts of others working on concurrent projects in the forestry program.  These positions normally report to a Unit or Area Manager.

Essential Functions (Major Duties and Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Program Leadership, Planning, Development 
The position is responsible for program administration, supervision and advanced professional forestry functions necessary to generate revenue for school trust funds, perpetuating natural resources within the office's jurisdictional area, and developing techniques and methods to meet the Trust Land Management Division's multiple forestry objectives. 

Wildland Fire Management 
Provide direct wildland fire suppression and assistance to county and rural fire departments as needed to protect lives, property, and natural resources in the unit/area.
 

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

• Online State of Montana application

• Resume 

• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ to learn more and see if you may qualify!

  *If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Lysandra.Badilla@mt.gov  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field.

• 4 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management. 

• At least 1 year of demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of: 

• Effective supervisory practices and conflict resolution methods

• Forest management principles and practices

• Equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations

• Forest practices and reduction laws, administrative rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities

• Considerable knowledge of the MT Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management.

Skills In:

• Use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles use in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations. 

• Operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATV's/UTV's 

• Use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-email and smart devices) and specialized resource management software.

Ability to:

• Manage projects, including developing and evaluating projects

• Prepare reports and make recommendations

• Making oral presentations and providing technical assistance and program information to management, clients, or public groups

• Preform financial analyses to determine cost/benefit of project proposals\

• Interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to natural resource management activities and writing technical reports.

• Effective supervisory practices and conflict resolution methods.

• Pass an arduous pack test

SPECIAL INFORMATION: 
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: 
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"
Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.