Recreation Manager

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 September 13, 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:

Flathead Lake is the largest natural body of freshwater (by surface area) in the wester U.S. and is also one of the cleanest lakes in the world. Flathead Lake State Park (FLSP) has five mainland units circling the lake’s 188 miles of shoreline. The distribution of park units around the lake gives each site a unique feel and view of the valley and surrounding mountains. The Wild Horse Island unit is the largest of several islands on Flathead Lake at 2,160 acres. FHLSP provides a total of 140 campsites and an abundance of recreational opportunities. Swimming, hiking, wildlife watching, boating, and fishing are popular.

Job Duties:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), through its employees and citizen commission and board, provides for the stewardship of Montana's fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational resources while contributing to the quality of life for present and future generations.

The Parks and Outdoor Recreation (POR) Division manages visitor use and recreation at state parks, fishing access sites, and wildlife management areas; river recreation; access for hunting, fishing, and other recreation on public and private lands; shooting range development; and trail and shooting range grant programs. The recreation manager is part of the POR Division and reports to the regional recreation manager. This role oversees staff and operations at state parks, fishing access sites and other FWP sites in the Flathead Lake District to provide a high level of visitor service. The recreation manager works closely with internal colleagues and external partners, including local communities, sovereign Indian nations, user groups, and adjacent landowners.

The Flathead Lake District Recreation Manager oversees recreation occurring in state parks, fishing access sites and wildlife management areas in and around Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake State Park consists of six park units: Big Arm, Finley Point, Wayfarers, Wild Horse Island, and Yellow Bay. Additionally, there are five fishing access sites, and seven wildlife management areas, including 4 islands. The recreation sites in this district are heavily visited, especially during the summer months, averaging over 400,000 visits annually. The Flathead Lake Ranger Station, located in the Wayfarers Unit, houses the office of this position.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize and manage recreational use to meet visitor needs and to help prevent or resolve user conflicts and resource degradation.

• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises and evaluates staff, including two permanent full-time, 10 seasonal, and 24 volunteers.

• Monitor impacts to site infrastructure and resources and develop solutions with relevant staff and regional leadership to correct or mitigate problematic impacts.

• Oversee fee collection, remittance and reporting.

• Review, issue, and manage concession contracts, commercial use and special use permits, balancing this with public use of recreation sites.

• Collaborate with maintenance staff to ensure recreation sites are safe and well maintained.

• Lead public meetings and presentations as it relates to development and management of the site, planning processes, and adjacent landowner issues.

• Coordinate collection and reporting of visitation data and visitor surveys.

• Address and resolve visitor conflicts and complaints.

• Collaborate with local FWP wardens and local law enforcement agencies in enforcement of laws, rules and regulations.

• Ensure the safety of staff and visitors through training, use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence of safety training in accordance with FWP Policy.

• Prepare, implement and train staff on emergency response plans.

• Manage and participate in day-to-day and special events interpretive and educational programs.

• Operate, maintain, and train staff on the safe operation of the motorboat used to access the islands within the district.