Swift Fox Technician 3
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- 25141401 Requisition #
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- 4 days ago Post Date
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 July 6, 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, 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:
These positions are based in north-central and south-central Montana. Field work and housing will be located across the north-central and south-central (FWP administrative Regions 4 & 5) area of the state as necessary for surveys. Region 4 spans a vast and ecologically diverse landscape in north-central Montana, encompassing the Rocky Mountain Front, prairie grasslands, river valleys, and agricultural lands. The Rocky Mountain East Front is one of the richest wildlife areas in the U.S. This region also offers the most diverse flora and fauna in Montana. The region is currently managing populations of all ten of the state's common big game animals. In addition, Region 4 offers many recreational opportunities such as Fishing Access Sites, Wildlife Management Areas, Block Management Areas, and operates a few State Parks. Region 4 also borders Glacier National Park which provides all kinds of fun and exciting recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, floating, and so much more. Region 5 spans south-central Montana, encompassing the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, several island mountain ranges, prairie grasslands, river valleys, and agricultural lands. Region 5 is home to Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana, located in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, and the driest desert in Montana located south of the Pryor Mountains. There are a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as walking/biking trails, bird and wildlife watching and skiing, fishing, climbing, hiking, and hunting opportunities, and a variety of local, state, and national attractions. The Yellowstone River is a defining feature flowing through the region. It offers a wealth of opportunity for camping, floating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and more.
This job is primarily working long days in north-central and south-central Montana during fall/winter/early spring. Work will be conducted in remote locations during inclement weather with varying road conditions and extreme temperatures (-40 degrees F with wind chill can occur at times). Field work will be physically demanding, and technicians may be asked to carry up to 40lbs. Technicians will be based in several different areas throughout Region 4 & 5 throughout the season.
Start Date: 9/2/2025 – End Date: 5/31/2026
Hours: 40hrs+/Week; Variable weekdays/weekends depending on weather.
Successful applicants will include a resume featuring relevant experience and education and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position, what makes you a qualified candidate, and what you hope to gain from this position.
Job Duties:
This is the third year of the first Swift Fox range wide survey conducted in Montana. The purpose of this survey is to determine distribution and occupancy across the Swift Fox range in Montana. This year’s effort will be in the north-central and south-central parts of the state, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks administrative Region 4 & 5.
Technicians will be expected to primarily work alone, but also as a team when needed. They will primarily be installing and checking trail camera scent stations in remote locations throughout Region 4 & 5. In addition to setting and checking trail cameras within specific time periods, technicians will also be required to locate access roads and trails, determine land ownership, and contact private landowners for permission to access.
Technicians will be responsible for cataloging trail camera photos when weather conditions prevent field work and after the sampling period is over (April-May). Technicians will also be responsible for recording and entering data via handwritten log and computer in addition to submitting weekly summary reports.
Given the harsh climate and predominately unsupervised position we are looking for candidates who are self-sufficient, diligent, and safety conscious.
Housing will be provided. Technicians will be based in several different locations throughout region 4 & 5 depending on fieldwork needs throughout the season.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to at least one year of college in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and some related work experience. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
