Please remember to attach the required documents Cover Letter and Resume listed in this announcement. 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 8, 2024. 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.

Therecreationrangermayworkandtravelinpoorweatherandtravelconditions.Thispositionwillrequirea willingnesstoworkperiodicallyduringirregularhours, someweekends,andoccasionalholidays. Theposition requiresspendingtimeawayfromhomeorpermanentworkstation.Approximately25%ofthetimeis spent traveling.Weekendandeveningworkis common.Workis typicallyaccomplishedwithoutimmediate supervision.

MontanaFish Wildlife andParks Region2isin westcentralMontana.Thecharacterof theregion isdefined by Rocky Mountainpeaks reach above10,000feet and valleytrout streamsstretching over1,500 miles. Deer, elk, moose, sheep, black bears, and mountain goats inhabit theregion, providing a diversity of hunting and wildlife viewingopportunities.Over62%oftheregion is publicland,offeringa varietyof recreational opportunities to area residents and visitors. Region 2currently manages ten state parks, fifteen wildlife managementareas, and over 75fishing access sites.

River recreationon theBitterroot, Clark Fork,and Blackfoot rivers provide diverse opportunities forfloat or wade angling,floating oninner tubes, whitewaterrafting, andscenic floating. Theregionhas several mountainranges and unique wildlife habitat that blends with privatelyowned and agricultural lands in lower elevations. The diverse landscape offers a wealth of recreational opportunity forfishing, hunting, exploring, hiking,skiing, camping, floating,sightseeing,birdwatching,picnicking,bike riding, wildlife viewing, ATV riding, snowmobiling, andboating.

Theregion'slargest community,Missoula, sits onthebanks oftheClarkForkRiverandis home to the UniversityofMontana.Missoulaisaculturalandcommercialcenterfor theregion,supportingactivitiessuch asindoorandoutdoorconcerts,livetheatrevenues,festivals,andartwalks.Theareaiswithin3-4hoursof bothYellowstoneandGlacierNationalParksandofferssitesofnationalsignificancesuchas theNational BisonRange, Lee MetcalfNational Wildlife Refuge, FlatheadLake, Travelers' Rest, Lalo Trail, and Nez Perce Trail NationalHistoric Landmarks, and theIce Age FloodNational Trail.

JobDuties:

TheBlackfoot Recreation Ranger assistsinallaspects ofnon-maintenanceoperations atFWP recreation sites within the Blackfoot Recreation District. This position assists therecreation manager with recreation on the Blackfoot Riverand 27associated fishing access sites (11 with campgrounds), 8float-in campsites, and a special recreation permitting (SRP) for commercial use.This requires planning for and working at various recreation sites withinthisgeographic areaand in theoffice. TheBlackfoot Ranger also works inpartnership with theBureau ofLand Management (BLM) field staff to manage a BLM campground and 3 day use sites.

Thiswork primarily encompassesbroad fielddutiesthatincludesfloatingtheBlackfootRiveronaregular basis to monitor andcheck forrecreational usecompliance. This position assists indaily siteandprogramoperations, visitor contacts, rule compliance, fee collection and remittance, and education atsites. The Blackfoot Recreation Ranger provides resource stewardship in a proactive manner, providing recommendationstotheRecreation Manager basedonvisitor usepatterns,staff,and resourceconditions. This position assists themanager inthesupervision ofaseasonal recreation technician withdirection, training,and evaluations whenassigned.Thisposition assiststheBlackfoot Recreation Manager withtheSRPprogram and permits.

TheBlackfoot Rivervalley isabusy recreationareaandispopular amonganglers,floaters,kayakers, campers and day users. TheRecreation Ranger would have responsibilitiesto monitor river use, on and off the water. The Blackfoot Recreation Ranger assists with tracking hazards, and visitor use patterns atspecific recreation sites, including commercial and non-commercial use.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

·Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

·Ability to work in environmental extremes for long periods of time.

·Ability to assist public independently, in extremely harsh terrain, and at night.

·Occasional travel.

·Working odd hours, weekends and holidays is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

·Knowledge of recreation management, familiarity with natural and cultural resource management principles, including historical and current issues.

·Background in natural resources, recreation, and cultural resources.

·Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in a concise and interpretable manner, with department employees, the public, special interest groups and appropriate land management agencies.

·Proficiency in the safe handling and operation of site-specific modes of transportation, such as motorized and non-motorized watercraft, bicycles, and snow machines.

·Knowledge of the laws, policies, and regulations under which the agency operates.

·Ability to negotiate, explain, and diffuse conflict among parties with differing views and visitors frustrated with department/site rules and policy.

·Ability to work effectively in extreme environmental conditions.

·Willingness to work in various locations, conditions, and variable days/hours.

·Must behave ethically and appropriately when serving visitors.

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 bachelor’s degree in park and or recreation management, archeology, geology, or related fields. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.