Hunting Access Technician

Description:

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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 29, 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.

Job Overview:

This position assists with regional 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 Resource Specialist and other Access Technicians.
Special Information:

Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse groups of people and personalities. 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 little to no daily supervision in remote locations. Ability to learn basic situational awareness, perceive personal safety and safety of others is expected. A positive outlook and demeanor is required.
Physical and Environmental Demands:

Requires frequent travel and working conditions in a field setting, typically in remote areas. Working conditions will include use of motorized vehicles, working outdoors in fall and winter seasons in unpredictable and inclement weather. The incumbent should be in good overall physical condition and possess sufficient outdoor skills to withstand the rigors and demands of outdoor work and to carry out duties effectively and safely. This is a field position that involves extensive amounts of driving in extreme weather conditions. Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team in a remote location. Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with the public. Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally with a wide variety of people and personalities including ranchers, farmers, biologists, game wardens and hunters. Must have public speaking abilities and the skills necessary to efficiently communicate and/or manage large groups of people. Must be able to work with a minimum amount of supervision in remote settings. Must be able to navigate the landscape and administrative boundaries by using a GPS and maps depicting private and public landownership. Must be able to interpret administrative travel routes, public recreation rules, and hunting regulations. Should understand upland game bird and big game hunting regulations and/or wildlife management. Knowledge of Central Montana and understanding of agricultural practices is advantageous. Must have a driver's license and be able to operate a 4x4 truck both standard and automatic transmissions in all types of weather and road conditions. Additional equipment duties may involve use of fencing tools, basic construction tools, computer and GPS.

Job Duration & Work Schedule:

This is a seasonal position. Approximate employment dates for Access Technician field positions in Region 5 vary and typically begin in early August and can run through February. Weekend and holiday work will be required. Work schedule for this position is typically weekends Friday through Monday with 8 to I0-hour work days.
Application Materials:

Applicants will be evaluated on the accuracy, completeness and quality of experience of their attached resume and cover letter. Application materials including the resume and cover letter must be uploaded into the state of Montana Job Application site.
Job Location:

This position will provide FWP Block Management implementation suppo1i in Region 5 primarily in the Roundup and Melstone areas with occasional region wide support if needed. FWP Region 5 is located in central Montana and consists of rural communities, rugged landscapes including prairie and mountains and densely populated areas. The position is supervised from the FWP Region 5 Billings office, the incumbent will be assigned to the Roundup Montana area.

Job Duties (narrative summary):

Assist with the implementation of regional hunting access programs. This includes coordination with area landowners and department personnel to address recreational use compliance and information dissemination for public hunting opportunities.

Implement department hunting access programs and assist landowners to provide public hunting opportunities. With regional guidance, assist to develop and implement necessary processes and changes to adapt area use rules and hunter activities during hunting seasons. Work with landowners, partners and department personnel to post on site area rules and regulations to ensure hunter awareness and compliance. Assist with setting up and maintaining public hunting access sites. This may include locating and marking boundaries and access points, establishing parking areas, maintaining information or permission stations.

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. Aid with the development and dissemination of programmatic materials. Communicate program information to hunters, landowners, and department personnel. Some position's locations may be requested to manage specialized permission systems, issue permission and provide information pertaining to specialized permission systems. Provide general information to hunters regarding department rules and regulations, access opportunities, and state and local land management agency rules.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

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.

Applicants should have the ability to follow verbal and written assignments, to prioritize and manage a range of tasks. The ability to work independently with little to no daily supervision in remote locations. Applicants must also be willing to learn basic situational awareness; perception of personal safety and safety of others is expected. A positive outlook and demeanor are preferred.

Applicants should be able to operate a 4x4 pickup truck both standard and automatic transmissions. Other equipment duties may involve use of fencing tools, basic construction tools, computer and GPS.
Education & Experience:

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Preference will be given to applicants with strong interpersonal communication skills and college coursework in Criminal Justice, Wildlife Management, Agriculture or closely related fields or at least 2 years of experience relatable to this position.