Habitat Conservation Lease Specialist

Job Description

THE
OUTSIDE
IS IN US ALL.
Announcement:
Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

Resume
Cover Letter

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 November 4
th
, 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:
The Habitat Specialist is an opportunity to work on large scale habitat conservation of grasslands and sagebrush grasslands in some of the most intact grasslands in the United States. For further information regarding FWP conservation leases please click the provided
link
.
The position covers Northeast Montana, consisting of a mix of public and private lands that area largely tied to agriculture (farming/ranching).

Ability to effectively work with private landowners, sportspersons, state and federal agencies, NGOs, and other members of the public is essential to the job.

The position requires travel within the area of responsibility on a weekly basis to meet with landowners and partnering agencies/organizations and to complete site visits during all times of year and at times in adverse weather conditions.

In addition to working outdoors, this position requires considerable office work, developing proposals and contracts, GIS mapping; as well as coordinating activities with department staff, landowners, and partners.

Problem solving and communication are necessary skills
The position is located centrally in FWP Region 6, and the successful candidate will work in the Glasgow FWP office, with a potential to work from a home office in other Region 6 towns following training.

These are small rural towns (<5,000) in northern Montana with basic medical and shopping facilities, while Billings and Great Falls are within a 3-4-hour drive. Recreational opportunities abound with abundant public lands, the Missouri River Breaks, Nelson Reservoir and Fort Peck Reservoirs, offering a wide variety of recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing.

Job Duties:
FWP is implementing a landscape-scale Habitat Conservation Lease program with the goal of conserving up to 500,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat over the next 5 years.

The Habitat Specialist will help develop and deliver Habitat Conservation Leases (HCLs) in FWP Region 6, complete review and approval process for proposed HCLs, and will monitor HCLs and other conservation properties for compliance with agreement terms.

The Habitat Specialist will serve as a point of contact, representing the department when working with other agencies and conservation organizations.

The Specialist is responsible for
interacting
with landowners and answering landowner questions about the program, reviewing HCL applications, completing site visits of proposed HCLs, completing checklist EAs for proposals and conducting required public meetings, completing the lease agreement, generating project summaries, and monitoring HCLs on a regular basis for compliance.

The employee will be responsible for overseeing completion of projects, promoting the program to expand landowner interest and constituent support and, where appropriate, seeking opportunities to enhance program delivery or support habitat restoration work related to HCLs.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, range science, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and related work experience or at least 5 years of work experience that is specifically related to skill sets and abilities needed for these positions. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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
:

Not Applicable

Salary: $

27.94

-

27.94

Hourly

Telework Eligibility
:

Not Telework Eligible

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, 15 % of the Time

Primary Location
:

Glasgow

Agency
:

Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Union
:

000 - None

Posting Date
:

Oct 5, 2026, 11:39:57 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)
:

Nov 5, 2026, 1:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials
:

Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name
:

Kyle Lloyd

|

Contact Email
:

fwpemp@mt.gov

|

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.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, range science, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and related work experience or at least 5 years of work experience that is specifically related to skill sets and abilities needed for these positions. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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
:

Not Applicable

Salary: $

27.94

-

27.94

Hourly

Telework Eligibility
:

Not Telework Eligible