Jobs in Montana 2026 (Now Hiring) - Smart Auto Apply

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

Job Overview:

These positions are responsible for program administration and advanced professional forestry functions necessary to generate revenue for school trust funds, perpetuate natural resources within the office's jurisdictional area, and developing techniques and methods to meet the Trust Land Management Division's multiple forestry objectives. The incumbents applies the theories, concepts, principles, and practices of a wide variety of natural resource disciplines; strong organizational methods, and effective oral and written communication and public speaking to represent the Department with the general public, environmental groups, other agencies, specialists, the media, cooperators, and others. The incumbents work with a diverse group of people and direct and coordinate the efforts of others working on concurrent projects in the forestry program. These positions normally report to a Unit or Area Manager

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

Program Management, Planning and Development

The position is responsible for program administration, supervision and advanced professional forestry functions necessary to generate revenue for school trust funds, perpetuate natural resources within the office's jurisdictional area, and developing techniques and methods to meet the Trust Land Management Division's multiple forestry objectives.

Wildland Fire Management

Provide direct wild land fire suppressions and assistance to county and rural fire department as needed to protect lives, property and natural resources in the unit/area.

Supervision

This position supervise Area/Unit Management Foresters and seasonal employees.

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:

• Work/life balance
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• A vibrant Employee Assistance Program
• State of Montana employment may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether or not you may qualify.

Additional benefit package information is available here.

• If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

The required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired through a bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field and 4 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management and one year of supervisory experience.

Requires experience in managing projects including developing and evaluating projects, preparing reports and making recommendations; making oral presentations and providing technical assistance and program information to management, clients or public groups; performing financial analyses to determine cost/benefit of project proposals; interpreting and applying state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to natural resource management activities and writing technical reports. Position requires knowledge of effective supervisory practices and conflict resolution methods.

The position requires extensive knowledge of forest management principles and practices; equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations; forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and considerable knowledge of the Montana Environmental Policy Act and related laws and rules governing natural resource management. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology. Specific knowledge of plant taxonomy, habitat typing, timber cruising, log scaling, harvesting systems, data collection and sampling techniques; road design and layout; fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, land surveying and timber appraisal procedures. The position also requires knowledge of DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements.

An essential function of the position is the ability to pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather. The position requires working alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass.

The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations; operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs and skill in the use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail and smart devices) and specialized resource management software.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations; the ability to coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others and maintain a positive working environment.

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".