Hunting Access Technician

Description:

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

A State Application and a Cover Letter are required. 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. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on September 25, 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.

This position assists the Regional Access Manager, Administrative Assistant, Access Resource Specialist and Access Technicians in management and implementation of lands enrolled in FWP hunting access programs, including coordinating hunter use of FWP managed private lands. This position also assists private landowners and department enforcement and wildlife personnel with recreational use compliance issues. This position functions as a member of the regional access team, which includes the Regional Access Manager, Access Administrative Assistant, Access Resource Specialist, and other Access Technicians.

Employee housing is available at the Foys Bend FCA bunkhouse in Kalispell. This is a shared space and available only for the individual employee.
Job Duties:

Assist with the implementation of regional access programs. This includes assisting the Administrative Assistant with getting landowner supply packets ready, taking reservations for Block Management Areas, issuing permission slips, providing information to the public on the phone and in person, mailing information to landowners and the public, etc.

Collect and maintain access use data and information. Document daily and seasonal use of hunting areas. Act as a resource for landowners and the public by responding to inquiries, providing information and direction. Assist in the resolution of conflicts which involve hunters and landowners. Assist with the development and dissemination of programmatic materials. Communicate program information to hunters, landowners, and department personnel. Provide general information to hunters regarding department rules and regulations, access opportunities, and state and local land management agency rules.

Applicants should have basic knowledge and understanding of Montana's hunting heritage, hunting principles, rules, and regulations. A basic understanding of ranching practices and agricultural communities is preferred. Must be capable of building necessary skills to maintain partnerships between hunting access, wildlife habitat conservation and agricultural values.

Applicants should have the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse groups of people and personalities. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work in a team atmosphere, with regional hunting access personnel, biologists, and game wardens. Applicants must also demonstrate aptitude for building and maintaining interpersonal relationships with FWP staff, private landowners, the public and partner agencies. Applicants must be capable explaining basic department principles and concepts in a simple, clear, and effective way to members of the public.

Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse groups of people and personalities. Must have good computer skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, knowledge of clerical and office procedures. Must be able to interpret maps and impart • that interpretation to others to help them decipher private and public land ownership boundaries, travel routes, and use rules. Basic knowledge and understanding of Montana's hunting heritage, hunting principles, rules and regulations is advantageous. Must have aptitude for building and maintaining interpersonal relationships, preferably with private landowners, the public and partner agencies.

Applicant must be capable of learning and explaining basic department principles and concepts in a simple, clear, and effective way to members of the public. Must have ability to work independently with minimum supervision and/or instruction.

Must have a basic understanding of FWP Access Programs and their functions. Ability to learn, interpret, understand, remain up-to-date and effectively explain aspects of the Access Programs, department policies, regulations and procedures to the general public, landowners, and department personnel. A working knowledge of the department's organizational structure, functions and operations is beneficial.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are necessary to develop and maintain an ongoing team approach that meets the needs of the regional personnel and department's constituency. Must have the ability to set priorities and make independent decisions in all areas of direct responsibility. Ability to interpret maps to effectively assist in direction the public to Access Areas. Must be able to deal independently with problems and confrontational interaction eliciting cooperation in such instances to maintain good public relations. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees.

This is a seasonal office position. Approximate employment dates for this Access Technician position are approximately October through the beginning of January.
Physical and Environmental Demands:

This position requires sufficient outdoor skills to withstand the rigors and demands of working independently and remotely without cell phone service. Employee must have the ability to independently carry out job duties safely and effectively. Requires frequent travel in a field setting, typically in remote and rugged terrain. Working conditions occur during the late summer, fall, and winter sesaons. This position requires prolonged periods of driving in a 4-wheel drive vehicle in inclement weather on minimaly-maintained farm and ranch access routes and dirt roads. This position requires the employee to spend the majority of their time working outdoors. The position may be required to work odd hours, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

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 High School Diploma or equivalency. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.