Bear Management Technician

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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

• Resume
• Cover Letter – Please include your relevant experience with the following:
  • Human-wildlife conflict prevention
  • Customer service
  • Agriculture
  • Providing education to the public
  • Interacting with rural agriculture communities

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 June 1, 2025. 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, 2025, and 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.

Specific Job Information:

An understanding of the social, economic, recreational and agricultural components of the work area of responsibility is vital. Demonstrated ability to communicate and negotiate with disparate interest groups and individuals; interpersonal skill set that is demonstrable.

Candidate applications should demonstrate experience in construction of bear conflict prevention infrastructure, i.e., building electric fences and welding bear resistant receptacles. The candidates should also demonstrate experience with implementing wildlife education programs and bear attractant removal.

Much of this work will be done in the field, traversing steep terrain for long distances daily, oftentimes in inclement weather with biting insects. Heavy work, such as lifting and moving large, heavy objects is likely to occur. The incumbent will be expected to provide his/her own transportation to Conrad. Incumbent must be able to work well with other people and agencies while representing FWP in a professional manner. The employee will need to work comfortably and safely around dangerous animals such as grizzly bears and rattlesnakes. Grizzly bears are a controversial species; the incumbent must be able to keep cool under intense social situations (i.e. irate people) and successfully provide quality customer service.

The bear management technician position will be a full-time (40 hours/week) seasonal 9-month position, approximately March 1 - Dec 1 annually. The schedule will mostly be set Monday-Friday, although weekends and holidays may be required based on conflict needs.

Funding for this position is available through a BNSF agreement and is available for no more than seven years, unless extended. In the event that the funding ends or is not sufficient to continue your employment, your employment may be terminated without cause.

Job Duties:

• Work with the bear management specialists to prevent conflicts between grizzly bears and people.
• Initiate contacts with landowners, ranchers, farmers, and other residents to identify potential grizzly bear prevention techniques.
• Remove attractants to prevent conflicts (carcasses, grain, etc.).
• Construction of high-power electric fences, use of propane operated scare guns as noise deterrents, and the testing and use of other innovative prevention techniques.
• Welding bear resistant grain bin doors and trash cans.
• Conducting educational presentations to schools, community groups, clubs and conservation organizations to inform people about wildlife ecology, management and ways to coexist and avoid conflicts with large predators.
• Locate radio-collared bears.
• Data input, analysis, and report preparation.
• Meet regularly with individual landowners to inform them of wildlife interaction management issues, determine their concerns regarding department programs, discuss alternative solutions that mutually benefit the landowner and address program goals, and identify opportunities for long term wildlife management.
• As directed by the Bear Specialist, conduct and/or participate in public involvement meetings and presentations on a local basis by method of "citizen participation" to receive comment on proposed wildlife conflict management programs and make modifications prior to implementation.
• Employ and evaluate repellent and deterrent techniques by conducting experimental testing to establish effective methods for preventing wildlife/people interaction and livestock depredations. This will include applying hazing and aversive conditioning to individual animals to modify their behavior.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Minimize the potential for wildlife/people interaction by informing and working cooperatively with private landowners and local communities and implementing proactive management programs to reduce or remove potential bear and other wildlife attractants. This includes developing and applying techniques such as removal and containment of garbage at priority sites, improving sanitation guidelines and livestock carcass removal.