Range Conservation Scientist 1 - Land Use Specialist

The State of Montana is hiring a Range Conservation Scientist 1 - Land Use Specialist in Lewistown, MT. This role involves managing natural resource programs and field activities, focusing on land use practices aligned with DNRC objectives. Key responsibilities include range/agricultural management, minerals/forestry management, and office administration. The position emphasizes collaboration, professional development, and accountability, offering benefits like health coverage and retirement plans.
Range Conservation Scientist 1 - Land Use Specialist - (25140906)

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.

Description of the work unit:

The Lewistown Unit Office, part of the Northeastern Land Office, administers Forestry and Trust Lands Division programs across Golden Valley, Wheatland, Petroleum, Fergus, Chouteau, Judith Basin, Hill, and Blaine counties.

The unit manages approximately 1.3 million acres of School Trust Lands, including lease administration for grazing and agriculture, forest management, oil and gas permitting, mining, easements, land use licensing, and recreational access. The unit also provides wildfire suppression support for all private and state lands within its boundaries.

Job Overview:

The Lewistown Land Use Specialist manages assigned natural resource programs and field activities within the Lewistown Unit. This position involves professional planning, implementation, and evaluation of land use practices aligned with DNRC objectives.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.
• Range/Agricultural Management
• Minerals / Forestry Management
• Real Estate / Special Uses Management
• Office Administration

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.

Knowledge and skills:

The Lewistown Unit Land Use Specialist must possess a thorough knowledge of plant taxonomy, range, agricultural soils, and interdisciplinary natural resource management principles, practices and procedures; applicable federal, state and local laws and rules, policies and procedures; and extensive knowledge of Trust Land Management and Forestry Division’s administrative and management rules, policies and procedures.

The knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Science Degree in a Natural Resource Management field (preferably Range Management, Agronomy or Agriculture), and two years of progressively responsible administrative and professional experience, of which involve similar program experience.

Licensing required:

Acquisition and maintenance of a Government Pesticide Applicator’s License for general and restricted use agricultural pesticides.

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, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location: Lewistown

Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Union: 000 - None

Posting Date: May 8, 2025, 10:20:05 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): May 9, 2025, 12:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

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