Program Supervisor - Plains Unit Manager

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

Work Unit Overview:

The incumbent serves as the Plains Unit Manager of scattered trust lands within all of Sanders County and extreme western Flathead County which includes the Thompson River state Forest for the DNRC and manages approximately 54,000 acres of State trust land and provides direct fire protection for approximately 275,000 acres.

Job Overview:

The Plains Unit Manager provides leadership, vision, and management for all Unit operations. The position is responsible for implementing Forestry and Trust Land programs; supervising permanent and seasonal staff; managing budgets and contracts; administering land use licenses and leases; and representing DNRC with partners, cooperators, and the public. The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment to balance resource protection with revenue generation and public expectations.

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.

Operational Leadership:

The incumbent oversees the Unit's operations and is responsible for accomplishing essential division goals and objectives using limited and at times previously unidentified resources.

The incumbent applies in-depth knowledge and utilizes developmental theories, concepts, principles, and practices of a wide variety of natural resource disciplines as well as the DNRC's mission, programs, subprograms, and a variety of State and Federal laws and DNRC policies and rules related to natural resource management. The incumbent employs professional-level administrative, operational, budgeting, and communication expertise. Directs the efforts of both professional and technical personnel working on concurrent projects in multiple programs within a large complex division to maintain a delicate balance between resource protection and resource use.

Administrative:

The incumbent administers a variety of land-use leases and licenses, permits, agreements, and memorandums of understanding. Applies concepts, principles, and practices of a wide variety of natural resource disciplines as well as the DNRC's missions, programs, and a variety of State and Federal laws and DNRC policies and rules related to natural resource management. The incumbent employs tact, and advanced communication and negotiation expertise in working with diverse, and often contentious group of people.

Program Management:

Manages the Plains Unit's general operations and fire suppression objectives. Employs knowledge of various natural resource laws, rules, regulations, and DNRC standards, guidelines and procedures. Develops personnel using standard communication, coaching, and training practices. Employs various budgeting practices.

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 Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

Bachelor's degree in a field of natural resource management, forestry, wildlife biology, fire management, recreation management, range science or directly related with four years of related natural resource management experience that includes program management and supervisory responsibilities. A Master's degree in the above can be substituted to include 3 years of related experience in areas listed.

This position must be able to complete field work including the ability to work independently in rough terrain in all weather conditions. This position must be able to work administratively within a wildfire environment.

• Completion of DNRC Line Officer training within one year of employment*

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"

Effective May 4, 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.