Wildlife Habitat Conservation Steward

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 29th, 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/ 

Job location:

Kalispell is in a premier real estate market, and applicants are encouraged to research the local area before applying.

Kalispell is a dynamic community located within a thirty-minute drive of Flathead Lake, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Glacier National Park, several National and State forests and parks, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. Kalispell is the retail, professional, medical, and governmental center of the Flathead Valley serving approximately 150,000+ people in northwest Montana. The office for this position is located within the Regional Headquarters building, located at 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell. The regional headquarters is a well-maintained office building which houses all the regional divisions including Parks, Fisheries, Enforcement, Wildlife, Communication and Education, Technology Services, and Administration.

Job Duties:

The Wildlife Stewardship Technician works within Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' (FWP) Wildlife Mitigation Program in Region 1. The program preserves, enhances, restores, and protects fish and wildlife habitats impacted by the construction and operation of Libby and Hungry Horse Dams. A major component is the long-term stewardship of more than 400,000 acres of department-held conservation easements on private lands throughout northwest Montana, providing valuable wildlife habitat and year-round public recreational access.

The Technician supports conservation easement monitoring, landowner and stakeholder engagement, public access management, and coordination of regional stewardship activities. Working with private landowners, FWP staff, conservation partners, and recreational users, the Technician ensures FWP and landowners fulfill easement obligations and comply with Multi-Resource Management Plans, advance habitat conservation objectives, and maintain positive relationships.

A primary responsibility is coordinating easement monitoring and maintaining a consistent field presence on easement properties. The Technician must demonstrate the ability to understand, interpret, and apply conservation easement agreements and management plans when evaluating land use activities and departmental responsibilities. They are responsible for monitoring habitat conditions, public access, and permitted land uses such as timber operations, livestock grazing, and infrastructure development. Additional duties include conducting property visits, documenting observations, identifying potential compliance concerns, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating appropriate follow-up with supervisors, the wildlife mitigation team, and other FWP personnel.

The Technician serves as a key point of contact for landowners and stakeholders, maintaining regular communication, organizing annual liaison meetings, responding to concerns, and working with FWP staff and partners to develop practical solutions. Proactive outreach, professionalism, and timely follow-through are essential to maintaining landowner trust and successful partnerships.

The position helps coordinate public recreational access on easement properties by monitoring use and access conditions, communicating rules, identifying conflicts, and working with regional Access, Enforcement, Wildlife, and Communication and Education staff on signage, outreach, and other responses. This work supports responsible recreation while respecting conservation objectives and landowner rights.

Working with the supervisor, the Technician plans and prioritizes field activities, landowner outreach, and program projects. Responsibilities include recordkeeping, data management, mapping, reporting, meeting coordination, and tracking outstanding concerns through resolution. The Technician independently manages competing priorities, communicates progress, and demonstrates initiative while operating within established policies and supervisory direction. As needed, the position assists with other Wildlife Mitigation Program activities, including biological fieldwork and data collection. The Technician will collect, enter, record, manage and summarize data using standard software and assist in the preparation and review of draft reports.

Applicants should understand, or demonstrate the ability to learn, conservation easement principles, land management practices, and applicable natural resources and public access regulations. Knowledge of Montana's hunting heritage, recreational opportunities, agriculture, and working lands is advantageous. Strong interpersonal, written communication, and customer service skills are essential, including the ability to work tactfully with landowners, ranchers, farmers, biologists, game wardens, hunters, and other recreational users. The Technician must communicate complex requirements clearly, work independently in office and remote field settings, navigate using maps and GPS, recognize safety risks, and maintain accurate documentation. A professional, adaptable, and solutions-oriented approach is expected.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

This position involves a combination of office-based administrative work, field activities, and frequent interaction with FWP staff and team members, private landowners, agency personnel, and members of the public. The position requires strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills to navigate situations involving multiple stakeholders, competing interests, and complex land management considerations. The Technician must be able to communicate effectively, address concerns professionally, and work collaboratively to identify practical solutions.

Field activities may require travel throughout northwest Montana, including remote locations with limited communication services. Work may involve hiking over uneven terrain, navigating private and public lands, operating four-wheel-drive vehicles, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. The Technician must be capable of independently planning and completing field assignments while exercising sound judgment regarding personal safety, landowner concerns, environmental conditions, and established department procedures.