Fisheries Management Biologist - (26142083)
THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.
Announcement:
Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.
Resume
Cover Letter
References
Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on September 13th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.
Special Information:
Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).
A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.
Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.
Effective June 22, 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. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/
Specific Job Information:
This position is located in Kalispell, a city in northwestern Montana with about 35,000 people in the city and 116,000 people in the county. Kalispell has many amenities that make it an attractive place to work and play. Outdoor recreation in the area is fantastic, with many lakes and streams for water-based sports and miles of trails for hiking, biking, and skiing. Kalispell is located less than an hour's drive from Glacier National Park, and also offers quick access to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
At times, this is a physically demanding job involving backpack and drift boat electrofishing in small streams to large rivers, hiking into and sampling remote lakes or streams, and operating and working from various jet, propeller and manually powered watercraft on flowing and flat waters. The incumbent must have the ability and willingness to work in and around water in adverse and hazardous conditions, including inclement weather. A large portion of the management area is located within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and requires the biologist to adapt to rules/laws associated with wilderness designation. This may include the use of horses/mules to access work areas. The work schedule is sometimes variable, requiring work outside of normal business days and hours and may involve overnight stays in remote field locations for multiple days.
Job Duties:
Primary job duties include survey and inventory of fisheries and habitat, fish stocking and harvest regulation recommendations, non-native fish suppression, protecting habitat through river and stream project review and permitting, and pursuing aquatic habitat enhancement opportunities. Fisheries are mostly coldwater trout fisheries, though recreational fisheries for bass (largemouth and smallmouth), yellow perch, kokanee, northern pike, and sunfish do exist. Several of these species are the result of illegal fish introductions in this area but do provide angling opportunity. Native trout include westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout, and their conservation is a management emphasis. The position's responsibility area is titled Flathead East and includes the Swan River, South Fork Flathead River, and Middle Fork Flathead River including their tributaries and valley bottom and high mountain lakes. Large lakes and reservoirs include Swan Lake and Hungry Horse Reservoir. Other waters may be included depending on Regional workload. Typical sampling includes boat and backpack electrofishing, gill netting, hook-and-line sampling, snorkeling, and genetic sampling and assessments. Ability to learn, critically evaluate, and adopt new information is crucial. In addition to knowledge of fish biology and management, stream permitting and habitat enhancement projects require a working knowledge of hydrology and the ability to evaluate engineering designs as well as to responsibly and fairly administer laws. Lands are predominantly forested mountains managed by state and federal government, though private agricultural properties also exist. Urban expansion is challenging fishery resources and gets significant attention. Effective private landowner, inter-agency, and conservation group collaboration is essential.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):
Thorough working knowledge of fisheries management principles & techniques of fish sampling methods and equipment, electrofishing and water safety, aquatic research methods & equipment, stream mechanics & habitat management are all important job qualifications. Other important considerations include thorough working knowledge of computer use for data processing, telemetry techniques and analysis, and statistical analysis, skills in writing, speaking and working effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals, groups & agencies. The ability to operate a wide variety of vehicles, boats, motors, instruments and sampling equipment are needed, as well as the physical ability to do strenuous outdoor work in all weather conditions & locations ranging from valley bottom river and reservoirs to high altitude lakes and streams. A combination of excellent work habits, technical ability, applied knowledge and leadership skills is necessary for effectiveness in this position.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Range Management, Zoology or Biology, including completion of a field research project presented in a successfully defended thesis. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Equivalent experience is defined as five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a fisheries biologist or senior fisheries technician that includes the examples of:
Literature review and development of a problem statement and/or hypothesis for a particular issue.
Development of a detailed study plan or sampling protocol for a field-oriented project based on the above-noted hypothesis.
Data collection and the effective management of data with an appropriate application.
Interpretation and analysis of data, including a quantitative assessment of that information.
Completion of a final report in a peer-reviewed publication or a publication comparable to a refereed journal.
If appropriate to the project, formulation of any recommended changes in management prescriptions and/or actions.
Oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff or public audience.
If you feel you meet the equivalent experience, please provide a supplemental document in your application that indicates your experience level relative to each point listed above.
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: $ 32.56 - 32.56 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: Kalispell
Agency: Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees
Posting Date: Aug 14, 2026, 3:02:54 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Sep 14, 2026, 12:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References
Contact Name: Kyle Lloyd |
Contact Email: [email protected] |
Contact Phone: 406-444-5617
Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
