Weekend Ranch Hand Jobs in Montana (NOW HIRING)

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

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 April 26, 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.

Employees must be able to work outdoors under adverse weather conditions year-round.  Employees must be able to perform hard physical labor including heavy lifting, digging, and repetitive motions.

The season runs from May 11, 2026, to September 11, 2026.  The work shift is 40 hrs/wk primarily daytime Monday through Friday, but some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. We will be hiring two groundskeepers. One position will be working out of Kalispell HQ and the other out at Thompson Chain of Lakes with a host site available during the season.

Kalispell, MT, is a city of approximately 33,000 residents located in the heart of Flathead County in Northwest Montana.  Kalispell residents have access to quality schools, healthcare, shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment as well as a variety of outdoor activities.  Nearby attractions include Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, and Whitefish Mountain Resort.  Other cities and towns within hour drive from Kalispell include Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Creston, Kila, and Somers.

Specific Job Information:

The Groundskeeper position is part of the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division and a member of the regional maintenance team that includes the Regional Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Team Supervisor, Maintenance Workers 1 & 2, and Groundskeepers.  The position reports to the Maintenance Team Supervisor and will perform a wide variety of routine maintenance and groundskeeping in an assigned geographic area by maintaining buildings, improving existing vegetation in habitat areas and riparian areas, and grounds and facilities at state parks, fishing access sites (FAS), wildlife management areas (WMA), and administrative facilities.  The Groundskeeper may be assigned to multiple geographic units or be called upon to assist with, collaborate on, or share maintenance functions of another geographic unit as circumstances require.

The groundskeeping work ensures that all FWP sites are maintained for public use and safety to extend the usable life of facilities and habitat for program efficiency. In addition, the groundskeeper, as part of an on-site employee team assists the public by answering questions and occasionally providing information about the use of FASs, Parks, WMAs, and administrative facilities.  

Employees may act as Maintenance Worker 1 in that worker's absence or serve as lead crew member and regularly demonstrate independent decision-making and problem solving. Regional and site-specific variance may exist, and other duties may be assigned.

Minor Routine Maintenance and Grounds Keeping:

• Minor routine maintenance to facilities by preparing surfaces for painting or staining, changing light bulbs, cleaning gutters and downspouts.  This work involves the use of hand tools, wood scrapers, wire brushes, sanders, paintbrushes; primers, paint, and cleanup chemicals; and step ladders.

• Employees will assist others in maintaining FWP grounds with maintenance of fire rings and campsites and by mowing, weed cutting, hand-pulling weeds, irrigation, raking, shoveling, fertilizing, planting, and pruning to provide the site with safe and appropriate vegetation. This work includes the use of rakes, shovels, pruners, lawn mowers, weed trimmers and leaf blowers.

• Assists the public by answering questions, providing area and agency information.  This work involves the use of employee training manuals, maps, and other printed materials in communicating information to the public.

• Follows established procedures and contacts the proper authorities when encountering emergency or law enforcement situations. Collects information and evidence of violations or accidents occurring at the FWP site and documents using standard report forms, establishes communication with local 911/EMS, law enforcement officials, wardens, and supervisors.

• Employees will keep detailed records on assigned duties, equipment and supply needs, and time worked and submit them to work unit office in a timely manner.

• Participates in annual and scheduled training including Standard First Aid and CPR, and safety meetings. Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment on all job duties.

• May collect fees and occasionally educate visitors where applicable.

• Always conscientious of equipment use and demonstrates good leadership to other staff by paying extra attention to visitor use areas and cultural and environmental resources while performing job duties.

Site Cleaning & Inspection: 

• Cleaning and sanitizing restroom and latrine facilities, picnic tables, barbeque grills, and replacing paper products in restroom facilities. Cleaning other FWP facilities including sidewalks, boat/swimming docks, picnic shelters, storage structures, bulletin boards, interpretive displays, and other signs. Work involves use of manual cleaning equipment, chemical cleaners, sanitizing agents, stepladders, and leaf blowers.

• Daily inspection and reporting of hazards, maintenance, or repair needs.

• Minor repairs or responses to facility problems by unclogging drains and toilets, installing toilet seats and closing/locking facilities and redirecting public use.

• Collecting trash from facilities, area garbage cans, beaches, grounds, trail areas and adjacent highway rights-of-way. Place collected trash in transfer bins for shipment off-site.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Physical demands include frequent exertion, often for extended periods, including lifting, carrying, digging and pounding. This position frequently requires field work under adverse weather and environmental conditions that may include: 

• Temperature extremes, snow and rain, dust and mosquito infested areas.

• On or near wastewater and sewage disposal systems with potential for contact with disease, viruses and bacteria.

• Areas frequented by rodents with the potential for contact with disease such as Hantavirus.

• Hazardous chemicals, including various pesticides, solvents, paints, and fuels.

• Working weekends and some holidays and occasional time away during evenings, overnight or away from permanent workstation.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a high school diploma or equivalency. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.