Habitat Specialist – (26141183)

The Habitat Specialist position at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks involves large-scale habitat conservation efforts in Eastern Montana, requiring extensive travel to meet landowners and conduct site visits. The role includes developing Habitat Conservation Leases, monitoring compliance, and collaborating with various stakeholders. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience is required. The position is based in Helena, MT and is not remote.
The Habitat Specialist is a unique opportunity to work on large scale habitat conservation of grasslands and sagebrush grasslands across Eastern Montana. The position covers large geographical areas consisting of a mix of public and private lands tied to agriculture (farming/ranching). The position requires extensive travel with the area of responsibility to meet with landowners and complete site visits during all times of year and at times in adverse weather conditions. The incumbent must be willing to initiate contact with landowners and partnering agencies and organizations on a daily basis. The incumbent must be willing to spend time away from home or duty station. In addition to working outdoors, this position requires considerable office work, developing proposals and contracts and associated information as well as coordinating activities with department staff, landowners, and partners.


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), complete review and approval process for proposed HCLs, and will monitor HCLs and other conservation properties for compliance with agreement terms. This position 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. The employee may also do compliance monitoring of other FWP conservation properties such as annual compliance checks of conservation easements.The Habitat Specialist will serve as a point of contact, representing the department when working with other agencies and conservation organizations, for promoting program objectives. Employee will be responsible for initiating personal contacts and making formal presentations. Ability to effectively work with private landowners, sportspersons, state and federal agencies, NGO’s, and other members of the public is essential to the job


Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):


The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination ofeducation and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, range science, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and related work experience or at least 5 years of work experience that is specifically related to skill sets and abilities needed for these positions. Combinations of education and experience will beconsidered on a case-by-case basis.






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You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. Please apply before closing date of May 29, 2026.