Assistant Recreation Manager

Water Resources Office; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Water Resources Office seeks an Assistant Recreation Manager to lead the Flathead Lake District’s recreation program near Bigfork, MT. You will supervise staff and volunteers, coordinate safety training, and ensure high-quality visitor experiences across multiple park units and access sites.

Role includes budget oversight for gift shop items, coordination with maintenance, and enforcement of permits. The position emphasizes data collection, stakeholder collaboration, and emergency planning.”

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Resource Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, or related field.
• At least 2 years of job-related experience; other combinations considered case-by-case.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and manage recreational use to meet visitor needs and protect resources.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff (up to 10 seasonal workers) and 24 volunteers.
• Ensure staff are trained in reservation programs, safety protocols and site operations.
• Monitor impacts to site infrastructure and resources and develop mitigation solutions.
• Oversee permits including concessions and special use; balance with public use of sites.
• Oversee district enterprise program: inventorying, purchasing, budgeting and pricing of gifts.

Skills

Staff supervision

Public safety

Community collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Park Management or related field

Job description

Job Description - Assistant Recreation Manager (26142653)

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.

Effective June 22, 2026, this agency is participating in E‑Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I‑9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E‑Verify, please visit the E‑Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/

The Assistant Recreation Manager position for the Flathead Lake District is based out of the Flathead Lake Ranger Station located within the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park just outside of Bigfork, Montana. Flathead Lake District includes one of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks premiere state parks: Flathead Lake State Park, which consists of six different and unique park units: Big Arm, Finley Point, Wayfarers, West Shore, Wild Horse Island, and Yellow Bay. The Flathead Lake District also encompasses five fishing access sites, and seven wildlife management areas, including 4 islands.

The Flathead Lake District has over 2,800 acres, 146 campsites, 3 yurts/2 cabin rentals, picnic shelter rentals, nine boat launches, a boat marina, over 9 miles of hiking trails, four entrance stations, and a ranger station.

Flathead Lake itself is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River with 188 miles of shoreline. It is host to an abundance of recreational opportunities year‑round, with summer swimming, hiking, wildlife watching, boating and fishing being the most popular.

Job Duties

• Plan, organize and manage recreational use to meet visitor needs and to help prevent or resolve user conflicts and resource degradation.
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises and evaluates staff, up to 10 seasonal, and 24 volunteers.
• Ensures site staff are trained in reservation programs, safety protocols and site operations.
• Monitor impacts to site infrastructure and resources and develop solutions with relevant staff and regional leadership to correct or mitigate problematic impacts.
• Helps patrol assigned units via motor vehicle, foot, motorboat or snowmobile as necessary to monitor visitor activities and resource conditions.
• Checks compliance with fee payment, special recreation, and commercial use permits.
• Review, issue, and manage concession and special use permits, balancing this with public use of recreation sites.
• Oversee the districts enterprise program, including inventorying, purchasing, budgeting and pricing of the parks gift shop items.
• Collaborate with maintenance staff to ensure recreation sites are safe and well maintained.
• Assist with collection and reporting of visitation data and visitor surveys.
• Address and resolve visitor conflicts and complaints.
• Collaborate with local FWP wardens and local law enforcement agencies in enforcement of laws, rules and regulations.
• Ensure the safety of staff and visitors through training, use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence of safety training in accordance with FWP Policy.
• Prepare, implement and train staff on emergency response plans.
• Oversee the district‑wide interpretive program and participate in day‑to‑day and special events programs.
• Assist with the operation, maintaining, and training staff on the safe operation of the motorboat used to access the islands within the district.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Resource Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, or a related field and at least 2 years of job‑related experience. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

32.02 - 32.02 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Variable

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Kalispell Agency : Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Oct 19, 2026, 10:33:53 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Nov 9, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Contact Name : Kyle Lloyd | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the 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.