Agricultural Scientist

Work Unit Overview:

The Forestry and Trust Land Management Division (FTLD) of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) manages approximately 5.2 million surface and 6.2 subsurface acres of state trust land. The mission of FTLD is to manage resources and uses on State trust land for the benefit of the Common Schools and other endowed institutions under the direction of the Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board). The Land Board is comprised of the top five elected officials of the state. The Division is divided into four programs: Minerals, Real Estate, Agriculture and Grazing, and Forest Management. Together, these programs generate approximately $80 to $100 million annually for trust beneficiaries.

The Agriculture and Grazing Management Bureau (AGMB) is responsible for the statewide administration and management of the Agricultural and Grazing lease and license programs encompassing approximately 10,000 active agreements on approximately 4.1 million acres of classified grazing land, 600,000 acres of classified forest land, and 555,000 acres of classified agricultural land. Trust revenues generated through these agreements are approximately $23 million to nearly $30 million annually.

Job Overview:

The Agricultural Scientist position is part of the Land Management Section (LMS) of the Agriculture and Grazing Management Bureau. The Land Management Section administers the state lands archeological, paleontological, and historical resource programs for the Forestry and Trust Lands Management Divisions. The section administers the Trust lands water right programs, provides technical assistance to other programs about soils, hydrology, and vegetation management, and ensures MEPA compliance for all agricultural and grazing-related activities. The LMS also oversees weed management on state trust lands. LMS responsibilities include oversight of the evaluation and assessment of range and cropland conditions; investigations of lease noncompliance; administering Trust land participation in the Federal Farm Program; and oversight of water developments, water rights, and improvement projects such as range renovations, and resource development; development and negotiation of cash rental rates for agricultural leases; and review of environmental documents prepared under MEPA for all actions proposed for state lands under the Trust Land Division agricultural and grazing management programs.

This position is responsible for oversight of the DNRC agricultural trust land portfolio and serves as support to the Agriculture and Grazing Bureau throughout Montana. This position coordinates with local and statewide personnel to administer best farming management practices, often professionally representing the DNRC to other state and federal agencies, local governments, and the public. This position assists the Land Management Section Supervisor in providing technical assistance to programs on soils, hydrology, and vegetation management with agriculture management issues, as well as statewide support to area and unit land offices pertaining to all programs within the agriculture and grazing Bureau.

The primary location for this position is Helena, MT; other locations may be considered.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):

This position is the statewide resource and primary contact for agriculture management issues and the oversight of agriculture programs, policies, and procedures on state lands. The position is responsible for developing all statewide directives that guide agricultural management on state trust lands. The position supports the bureau's land management section with agricultural management issues and provides statewide support to area land offices for completing renewal inspections on expiring leases. The position will oversee the Agronomy Program Management, agriculture data stewardship, and GIS/remote sensing, and also provide training and assistance for field staff.

The incumbent will work in both an office and a field environment. Field duties require exposure to varying, often extreme, weather conditions. Must be able to work independently for long hours in rough, remote terrain during the normal field season (typically May through October).

Travel generally exceeds 1,000 miles per month, often on unimproved roads and trails, with approximately 50 nights per year away from home base.

Some use of All-Terrain Vehicles is required for unassisted lifting during loading and unloading.

Benefits

Live and work in Helena, Montana, which offers a unique blend of opportunities and natural beauty, situated between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Montana offers abundant recreational opportunities, including skiing, camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking.

Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance with flexible schedules and telework eligibility.

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.

• Longevity pay with continued state service.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

• Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.

• Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.

• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter - Describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will make you successful in this role.
• Resume -- Include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position.

How to Apply

Only online submissions are accepted. Applicants must initiate an application and attach a cover letter and a resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach the required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable.

Minimum Qualifications:

Alternative combinations of the education and experience listed below will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• A Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management (preferably agronomy, agronomics, plant science, agricultural science, environmental science, or a closely related field)

• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible administration and professional experience.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Equipment or Machinery Used: The incumbent is required to operate and utilize the following equipment: soil testing equipment, Herbicide application equipment, including ATV Sprayer tank and backpack sprayer, Microsoft suite, ESRI GIS suite, radio communication equipment,

Global Positioning System (GPS), digital cameras, 3/4-ton 4x4 pickup truck, ATV, enclosed cargo trailer, engineering equipment, personal computer, office machines, and State Lands Trust Management computer system.

The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of plant taxonomy and identification; soils; land rehabilitation; agricultural management principles; practices and procedures of applicable state laws; rules, policies and procedures; and an advanced knowledge of administrative management and planning procedures to establish effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, as well as knowledge of Trust Land Management Division's administrative and management rules, policies, and procedures. The incumbent must be skilled in oral and written communication and proficient in map reading, aerial photo interpretation, Global Positioning Systems, GIS software, database management, computer hardware configuration, and computer software. Must have the ability to interpret and apply Department policies, to train and direct others, to maintain effective working relationships and communications. The incumbent will be required to possess and maintain a State of Montana Government Pesticide Applicators License.

The incumbent must build and maintain productive relationships with natural resource professionals and the public to successfully implement the bureau's programs. Contacts include lessees, licensees, grazing associations, stock grower groups, grain grower groups, FSA staff, conservation districts, recreationists, and current or prospective users of State Land; to inform or advise them of Department policy, and to persuade or elicit their cooperation in addressing land management problems and concerns, and employ sound resource management practices. The incumbent must also maintain effective, cooperative, and mutually beneficial working relationships with university staff and with representatives of federal, state, county, tribal, and local agencies; to exchange information, keep them apprised of Department activities, advise them of management problems, and request cooperation in addressing land and resource management concerns of mutual interest

Within the Department, the incumbent communicates regularly with Area and Unit Managers, Land Use Specialists, Bureau Chiefs, Archaeologists, Hydrologists, and other agency personnel of the Lands, Minerals, Real Estate, and Forest Management Bureaus. Participates in Area staff meetings and informational & training sessions as scheduled.

Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with fewer 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". The State of Montana does not sponsor.