THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Please remember to attach the required documents Supplemental Questions and Cover Letter 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 February 5, 2023. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Please describe in one page or less your experience and knowledge of grizzly bear, black bear, or other species conflict management, bear trapping, handling, and safety.

2. Landowner relationships and community support are an integral piece of successful bear conflict management and a successful bear management program. Please describe your experience with developing these relationships and how you would develop the bear conflict management program.

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.

Successful candidate will preferably operate from a home office in Red Lodge, MT or surrounding area however other locations may be considered. The home office will serve as a base of operations, communications, and equipment storage. A home office allowance may be provided.

Job Duties:

The Bear Specialist is an integral part of the FWP Region 5 team and will work closely with wildlife, enforcement, front office, parks, and fisheries staff. A qualified candidate should have strong communication skills, an ability to work independently and as part of a team and serve as a mentor to technicians. A desire to proactively keep people informed and respond in a timely manner to public inquiry is required. This position will also work closely with USFWS, DNRC, forest service, area tribes, local law enforcement and other agency staff as needed to minimize human/bear conflicts, capture, handle, and manage bears involved in conflicts.

This position is physically demanding at times. Successful applicants must have the ability and be willing to work in difficult climates, stressful situations, with offensive odors, and in situations that could involve adverse human/wildlife interactions. The ability to lift at least 40lbs, hike long distances in difficult terrain, safely utilize wildlife immobilization drugs, drive a 4-wheel drive and back up a trailer is required.

Successful applicants must be certifiable to use immobilizing drugs, firearms and must have a valid driver's license and possess/attain a valid MT driver's license once hired.

Candidates will demonstrate experience in handling bears by use of live-animal traps, snares; chemical immobilization delivery systems and skills; pistol and large bore rifle and/or shotgun proficiency. Candidates will be proficient at monitoring bears via ground, vehicle, and aerial telemetry (chopper and fixed wing).

Much of the effort to minimize and reduce bear conflicts involves providing information to constituents and resource professionals. Public outreach, education and presentation experience is preferred. Public presentations will include outreach meetings and training workshops. Professional presentations at the lnteragency Grizzly Bear Committee meetings and at internal meetings are required.

This is a full-time, year-round position. The office location is a home office within the work area (primarily Red Lodge area). Normal office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hours will be varied and long days with few breaks may occur during the spring, summer, and fall.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field and two years of job-related work experience. Other combinations of education and experience which could provide such knowledge, skills and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.