Minimum Qualifications:

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a minimum of two years of college work towards a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field and related work experience. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's 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.

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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 January 20, 2025. 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.

The Location:

Work is conducted throughout western Montana, across a diverse landscape. Montana is home to a wide variety of ungulates including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. It also contains a full suite of predators, including black bear, grizzly bear, mountain lion, wolf, bobcat, lynx, and wolverine. Technicians must be self-motivated and possess both the ability and desire to live and work vigorously in remote mountain conditions both independently and in a team. Technicians must have their own backpacking and camping equipment. Technicians should have their own vehicle transportation on off days. Housing is not provided.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Work will involve field research activities that occasionally require a change and re-organization of work schedules, travel, and lifting heavy objects. Working conditions are routinely hazardous. Incumbent will work with/around wildlife that may be dangerous, and work with/be exposed to potentially lethal capture drugs. Exposure to potentially harmful pathogens, chemical agents and offensive sights and sounds are routine. Extreme caution and rigorous protocol must be followed to prevent exposure to serious health hazards indoors and outdoors. Occasional exposure to outdoor hazards such as severe weather and extreme terrain is expected. Contacts include a wide variety of individuals will include contact with distressed landowners or hunters who have conflicting issues and concerns. The frequency of contacts varies depending on the activity under consideration, but some type of public contact is engaged in daily. Interpersonal relations will include communicating and cooperating with coworkers, landowners, and various publics to maintain support for the research project. Coordinating various agency personnel supporting the field operations is often complicated and requires good problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Job Duties:

Conduct wolf surveys\: drive, bike, and hike on/off forest roads and trails documenting sign for pack presence, numbers, and reproduction; locate and collect data from wolf homesites; establish and monitor remote camera stations. Monitor wolf activities in livestock areas\: camp in remote areas, locate wolves by survey or telemetry, and conduct associated hazing or harassment of wolves. Engage in all other relevant and necessary tasks too numerous to list such as equipment, vehicle, and camp maintenance. Assist with capture and radio collaring of wolves. Communicate effectively and respectfully with the public and with private landowners and various government agency personnel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Basic knowledge and understanding of biology, animal ecology, anatomy and population dynamics will be required. Training in and some ability to conduct surveys and perform radio telemetry is required. Knowledge of the safe collection of blood, tissue, or other samples from animals is preferred. Good organizational and time management skills are needed as well as the ability to accurately collect and record data. Introductory knowledge of computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management applications are required. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to work with professional biologists, other research assistants and the public. Communication skills, both written and verbal, are required. Introductory map reading skills and familiarity with map coordinate systems are required. Experience with use of telemetry equipment and GPS units are preferred. Applicants must be able to operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. The ability to work without supervision in potentially hazardous conditions is expected.