Forestry Manager 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 and Trust Land Management Divisions plan and implement programs through an extensive network of staff in field offices across the state. 

Area and Unit offices are responsible for integrating and implementing programs for both the Forestry and Trust Land Management Divisions. The Forestry Division functions include fire & aviation management, forestry assistance, business management, policy, planning and outreach. The Trust Land Management Division administers and manages the state trust timber, surface, and mineral resources for the benefit of the common schools and the other endowed institutions in Montana. Division functions include 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 develop 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

Project Management Planning and 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.

• Participate in the staff selection process by interviewing and making hiring decisions and recommendations; authorized to approve all temporary hiring.

• Set priorities and employee objectives, creates work plans and direct activities to ensure all necessary work is completed.

• Create employee development plans to accomplish department and employee goals, evaluate employee performance, provide feedback and coaching

• Facilitate the planning, coordination and evaluation of program activities to meet department goals and resource concerns including annual sustainable yields; identify land use opportunities and maximize resource manager efficiency.

• Establish direction and set priorities by reviewing the development and implementation of management plans such as: forest improvement project plans, timber sale plans, timber sale notices, public trust program plans and lease plans.

• Represent the state's interest in federal or local forest management planning and policy process, including cooperative agreements.

• Ensure access to endowment lands by prioritizing needs and acquiring rights-of-way.

• Review and provide technical assistance and guidance to staff and collaborating agencies on land resource issues such as: silvicultural plans, statistical analyses to determine sales volumes, road engineering, logging engineering, contract and lease administration, hazard management plans, Forest Practices regulation compliance, determining proper carrying capacity, and identify trends of land, streams and riparian vegetation communities.

• Responsible for the budgeting of annual program operating expenses, temporary personnel costs, maintenance and various projects.

Wildland Fire Management:
Provide direct wild land fire suppressions and assistance to county and rural fire department as needed to protect lives, property and natural resources in the unit/area.

• Participate in initial attack and other fire-suppression efforts including constructing fire lines, operating fire suppression tools and equipment and performing other wildland fire duties commensurate with department needs and individual qualifications.

• Serve as Duty Officer on a rotating basis with other Unit/Area personnel during fire season and during off-duty hours.  The Duty Officer acts for the Unit or Area Manager and is responsible for all aspects of decision-making regarding implementation of the fire program during scheduled shifts.  This involves determining the level of response in any fire situation.

• Participate in fire prevention duties to meet specific objectives of the wildland fire prevention plan. 

• Assist fire program personnel in record keeping, purchasing, equipment management, fire training, and other technical and administrative fire management activities and operations.

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 Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov 

• 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.

• Office-based with occasional travel for inspections, field work, or stakeholder meetings.
• Will involve interaction with other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Physical activity in all types of weather
• Work alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass.

•  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.

•  Terminology, principles, methods, and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology.

• Plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques.

• Road design and layout

• Fire behavior

• Fire suppression techniques

•  Land surveying and timber appraisal procedures

• DNRC and state personnel policies, procedures, precedents, org structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements

• 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.

• 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

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups, and representatives from other organizations

• Coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously, work well with others and maintain a positive working environment.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods in office settings.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment, files, and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Sufficient visual acuity to read maps, legal documents, and measurement instruments.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, and field measuring devices.
• Capacity to drive a vehicle for field inspections and statewide travel.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, dust, precipitation).

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.