Habitat Conservation Lease Specialist

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

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

Resume

Cover Letter

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 November 4^th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

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.

Effective June 22, 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. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ 

Specific Job Information:

The Habitat Specialist is an opportunity to work on large scale habitat conservation of grasslands and sagebrush grasslands in some of the most intact grasslands in the United States. For further information regarding FWP conservation leases please click the provided link. The position covers Northeast Montana, consisting of a mix of public and private lands that area largely tied to agriculture (farming/ranching).  Ability to effectively work with private landowners, sportspersons, state and federal agencies, NGOs, and other members of the public is essential to the job. 

 The position requires travel within the area of responsibility on a weekly basis to meet with landowners and partnering agencies/organizations and to complete site visits during all times of year and at times in adverse weather conditions.  In addition to working outdoors, this position requires considerable office work, developing proposals and contracts, GIS mapping; as well as coordinating activities with department staff, landowners, and partners.  Problem solving and communication are necessary skills

The position is located centrally in FWP Region 6, and the successful candidate will work in the Glasgow FWP office, with a potential to work from a home office in other Region 6 towns following training.  These are small rural towns (<5,000) in northern Montana with basic medical and shopping facilities, while Billings and Great Falls are within a 3–4-hour drive. Recreational opportunities abound with abundant public lands, the Missouri River Breaks, Nelson Reservoir and Fort Peck Reservoirs, offering a wide variety of recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing.

Job Duties:

FWP is implementing a landscape-scale Habitat Conservation Lease program with the goal of conserving up to 500,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat over the next 5 years.  The Habitat Specialist will help develop and deliver Habitat Conservation Leases (HCLs) in FWP Region 6, complete review and approval process for proposed HCLs, and will monitor HCLs and other conservation properties for compliance with agreement terms.  The Habitat Specialist will serve as a point of contact, representing the department when working with other agencies and conservation organizations.  The Specialist is responsible for interacting with landowners and answering landowner questions about the program, reviewing HCL applications, completing site visits of proposed HCLs, completing checklist EAs for proposals and conducting required public meetings, completing the lease agreement, generating project summaries, and monitoring HCLs on a regular basis for compliance.  The employee will be responsible for overseeing completion of projects, promoting the program to expand landowner interest and constituent support and, where appropriate, seeking opportunities to enhance program delivery or support habitat restoration work related to HCLs.