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 mission of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is to ensure that State and private lands and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
Job Overview:
These positions perform advanced professional forest management activities under the general supervision of the Unit Forest Management Supervisor.
The incumbent independently plans, coordinates, and implements projects necessary to sell timber or related products from trust lands to provide income to the various trusts. These projects are complex and must be designed on a case-by-case basis to conform to numerous constraints and respond to multiple issues. Each project must be analyzed under Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) rules and will require the preparation of document(s) disclosing the adequate level of analysis for each project and may require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. This position would serve as the Project Leader for preparation of complex, large-volume forest product sales, timber permits, and other forest product sales.
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.
A. Trust Land Management
Independently plan, coordinate and evaluate activities on state endowment trust lands and other state and federal lands to maximize net revenue, to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.
B. Other Duties as Assigned
This position performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Division and Department operations including assisting with initial attack and other fire suppression, prescribed fire, and other non-trust Forestry Program as needed.
Application Materials Required for this Position Are:
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.gov/pslf/ to learn more and see if you may qualify!
- If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at [email protected]
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field and 3-4 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
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.
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.
DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements.
Skill In:
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The use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations.
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Operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs.
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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.
Ability to:
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Pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather.
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Navigate using a map and compass.
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Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations.
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Coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously.
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Work well with others and maintain a positive working environment.
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Critical thinking skills as duties can be in remote work conditions and may encounter various hazards throughout a typical workday including wildlife, road conditions, hazardous terrain and encounters with the public in various high-tension settings that may require de-escalation and conflict resolution.
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.
