Fisheries District Management Biologist

Montana; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A state environmental agency in Glasgow seeks a Fisheries Biologist responsible for managing fish populations in northeastern Montana. The role involves extensive fieldwork under various conditions, requiring candidates to have a relevant master's degree and experience in biostatistics and public communication. Successful candidates will also oversee fish recovery efforts and coordinate with local conservation districts while being able to telework. Competitive benefits including health and retirement are offered.

Benefits

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Retirement plan

Telework opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience conducting biostatistics on fish populations.
• Ability to manage and present data effectively.
• Knowledge of fisheries management and public outreach.

Responsibilities

• Manage fisheries in northeastern Montana.
• Coordinate with local conservation districts.
• Lead recovery efforts for Pallid Sturgeon.

Skills

Biostatistics

Data Management

Public Communication

Fieldwork

Analytical Skills

Education

Master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management or equivalent

Tools

Spreadsheet Software

Graphing Software

Job description

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents 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 16th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Field work is often carried out alone or with a single technician in the vast prairie region of northeastern Montana. Field work often occurs during unpredictable and inclement weather conditions and the incumbent must be in good physical condition and capable of lifting and carrying 50 lbs or more in the field. Hours of work are often long and include travel to and from sampling sites. Evening meetings and occasional weekend work are required. The responsibilities of this position are broad and require a diverse skill set, including broad fisheries management categories (large rivers to prairie ponds/native species inventory to sportfish management) to assisting with public outreach and aquatic education. The incumbent must be people-oriented and well-rounded with “people skills” equivalent to his/her “technical” skills and experience.

This position requires experience in conducting biostatistics on fish populations, graphing data, database management, spreadsheet management and presenting data and programs to their peers and the public both digitally and verbally.

Job Duties:

The Fisheries Biologist is responsible for fisheries management the northeast portion of FWP’s Region 6. This area of Region 6 is situated inside Valley, Roosevelt, Daniels, Sheridan, McCone (portions of Dawson and Richland) counties. Significant water bodies that this position is responsible for include the Missouri and Milk Rivers and associated tributaries, numerous ponds and prairie streams on both public and private land. The biologist will coordinate with County Conservation Districts within the area on stream permitting. The Fort Peck Indian Reservation is situated within this management district, requiring close coordination with the Ft Peck Indian Tribes on cross-jurisdiction. This position will be the lead on FWP’s Pallid Sturgeon recovery efforts within the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam. Oversight of management of many ponds on public and private lands (with public access). Manages several ponds that receive moderate/high use (relative to Eastern MT) and are very important to associated communities. Primary management authority over the migratory component of the Lake Sakakawea paddlefish population that uses the Missouri River (management quotas and structure are tied in with the Yellowstone component) and the archery paddlefish fishery in the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts. Has management authority over the sport fish in the approximately 185 miles of Missouri River below Fort Peck dam including the coldwater fishery below Ft Peck Dam. Oversees some of the highest species’ diversity in Montana including the following species of special concern; Blue Sucker, Sauger, Paddlefish, Northern redbelly dace, Iowa Darter, Shortnose Gar, Sturgeon Chub, Sicklefin Chub, Northern Pearl Dace. Pearl Dace reside in several streams that will require coordination with landowners and development of conservation strategies. The area also contains excellent fisheries for non-native game fish including but not limited to Walleye, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout and Crappie.

Minimum Qualifications:

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Range Management, Zoology or Biology, including completion of a field research project presented in a successfully defended thesis. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Equivalent experience is defined as five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a fisheries biologist or senior fisheries that includes the examples of:

Literature review and development of a problem statement and/or hypothesis for a particular issue.

Development of a detailed study plan or sampling protocol for a field-oriented project based on the above-noted hypothesis.

Data collection and the effective management of data with an appropriate application.

Interpretation and analysis of data, including a quantitative assessment of that information.

Completion of a final report in a peer-reviewed publication or a publication comparable to a refereed journal.

If appropriate to the project, formulation of any recommended changes in management prescriptions and/or actions.

Oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff or public audience.

Or oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff or public audience.

If you feel you meet the equivalent experience, please provide a supplemental document in your application that indicates your experience level relative to each point listed above.

Additional Information:

You must reside in Montana (or move to Montana) to accept this position. In this position you will be afforded the opportunity to telework, however there will be required weekly in-office day(s) in Glasgow Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases 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.