Range Conservation Scientist 1- Land Use Specialist

The State of Montana is hiring a Range Conservation Scientist 1 - Land Use Specialist in Helena, MT. This position focuses on natural resource management, supporting the Forestry and Trust Lands Division's goals. Responsibilities include administrative tasks and managing state land leasing and development in specific counties. The role emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and stewardship of Montana's resources. Benefits include paid leave, health coverage, and retirement plans.
Range Conservation Scientist 1- Land Use Specialist - (25140958)

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.
• We value and respect each other.
• We create collaborative work environments.
• We build and maintain strong relationships.
• We practice accountability.
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work.

The Central Land Office (CLO) carries out the programs for the Forestry and Trust Land Management Division in 14 counties and is divided into four Units: Bozeman, Conrad, Dillon and Helena. This position is for the CLO Central Zone Land Use Specialist. The Central Zone includes all of Jefferson, Broadwater, Meagher, Gallatin and Park counties, and portions of Lewis and Clark and Cascade counties. This position is primarily responsible for these areas within the Bozeman and Helena Units but may work in any area of the Central Land Office as directed.

Job Overview:

This is a natural resource management position that assists in accomplishing the Forestry and Trust Lands Division program goals and objectives within the Helena and Bozeman Unit Offices by following established policies and procedures and using knowledge of natural resource management and related federal, state and local laws. The Land Use Specialist performs field, professional, and administrative tasks in the management, leasing, development, and regulation of state land. This position deals with a variety of biologically complex and politically sensitive land management issues. This position is supervised by a Unit Manager but would maintain communication with Unit Managers in areas where work is being completed.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
• Administrative Duties and Responsibilities for All Programs
• Agriculture and Grazing Management Bureau (AGMB)
• Real Estate Management Bureau (REMB)
• Minerals Management Bureau (MMB)
• Recreation Use and Public Access

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:
• Online State of Montana application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!
• If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at Makayla.Mangold@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and experience):

The position requires education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a Natural Resource Management field (preferably Range Management, Range Science, Agronomy or Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology, Land Resources and Environmental Resources, Land Rehabilitation), and two years of progressively responsible administrative and professional experience, which involve similar program experience.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

This position must possess a thorough knowledge of interdisciplinary natural resource management principles, practices and procedures and applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, policies, and procedures. The position requires knowledge of public relations, communication, technical writing, conflict resolution methods and techniques, investigation and enforcement practices, program administration and budgeting, and records management.

Additional knowledge that is preferred includes: an understanding of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA); and extensive knowledge of Trust Land Management administrative and management rules, policies, and procedures (Montana Code Annotated and Administrative Rules of Montana).

This position requires skills in map reading, aerial photo interpretation, and Global Positioning Systems and associate software. Additional skills necessary include proficiency in operating four-wheel drive vehicles, specialized fire suppression equipment, general office equipment, and wireless devices such as iPads, computers, cellular phones and associated software applications. Skills in managing time, setting priorities, keeping records, preparing reports, and administering multiple land management programs are preferred.

The position requires the ability to: communicate detailed information verbally and in writing; persuade, discern, negotiate or sometimes diffuse volatile situations (conflict management); provide effective application of Trust Land Management principles; and to convey the Department's position on varying land administration and management issues.

Essential functions occur in both office and field settings. This position requires the ability to work outdoors and involves exposure to varying weather conditions, terrain, and road conditions; travel in mountainous terrain by vehicle or on foot; and may require arduous amounts of walking up and down hills.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent, completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $ 30.95 - 30.95 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type: Standard

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time

Primary Location: Helena

Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Union: 000 - None

Posting Date: Apr 23, 2025, 10:38:54 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): May 26, 2025, 12:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name: Stacey Gabrio | Contact Email: stacey.gabrio@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 4064443309