Forester 2 - Area Forester/ Billings, MT

Vodafone; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Montana is seeking an Area Forester to manage, protect, and promote stewardship of forests. This role includes delivering forestry assistance programs, managing forest projects for income generation, and overseeing fire prevention initiatives while leading a small team. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in forestry and four years of relevant experience.

Benefits

Paid Vacation

Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage

Retirement Plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in forestry and resource management.
• Knowledge of principles of forestry including silviculture and watershed protection.

Responsibilities

• Provide resources and forestry expertise to create resilient forests.
• Coordinate forestry assistance programs and ensure compliance with laws.
• Supervise the Forest Action Planner and Community Preparedness & Fire Prevention positions.

Skills

Forestry expertise

Critical thinking

Knowledge of fire prevention

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field

Job description

*This position may be eligible for the statutory increase July 1, 2025*

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations' mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

-We value and respect each other.
-We create collaborative work environments.
-We build and maintain strong relationships.
-We practice accountability.
-We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work.

Job Overview:

This position is an Area Forester. The position is responsible for providing resources, tools, and forestry expertise to create resilient forests, sustainable economies, and fire adapted, vibrant communities as a Service Forester within the thirteen county Northeastern Land Office Area. This includes working in the 7 forestry assistance programs, assisting landowners and communities in meeting their management objectives, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws while reducing the risk from wildfire and improving forest health and. The Area Forester is also responsible for the development, management, and implementation of forest management projects within the Land Office to generate income from the sale of forest products for the school trust funds in Montana as a Trust Land Forester. The position also has secondary wildland fire duties within the Land Office. The Area Forester reports to the Area Manager. The Area Forester has two direct reports and will supervise the Forest Action Planner position and the Community Preparedness & Fire Prevention position within the Northeastern Land Office.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

-Service Forestry:

Deliver the 7 inter-related programs within forestry assistance in the Northeastern Land Office

-Forest Management Program Planning and Sales:

Independently plan, coordinate and evaluate activities on state endowment trust lands and other state and federal lands to maximize net revenue, to provide for the sustainable use of the land and associated resources, and to ensure adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.

-Wildland Fire Management:

Support Area fire program through a variety of programs, including community preparedness and prevention and fire adapted communities.

-Supervision: This position supervises the Northeastern Land Office Forest Action Plan Forester

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

-Online State of Montana application
-Resume
-Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

-Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
-Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
-Retirement Plans
-Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!

*If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at [e-mail].

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

The position requires education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, forest management, or a related field and four (4) years progressively responsible experience in forestry and resource management.

The position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of forestry and natural resource management including silviculture, survey methods, research and analysis, fire prevention, forest improvement, insect and disease identification and treatment, conservation practices, watershed protection, and forest products (e.g., logging and mill operations). The position requires knowledge of public relations, communication, technical writing, conflict resolution methods and techniques, investigation and enforcement practices, program administration, governmental accounting and budgeting, grant administration, records management, and report writing.

The position often works independently and requires critical thinking skills as they work in remote work conditions and may encounter various hazards throughout a typical workday including wildlife, road conditions, hazardous terrain and encounters with the public in various high-tension settings that may require de-escalation and conflict resolution.

The position requires working alone in the field, including winter conditions (using tire chains) and navigating with a map and compass.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"

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: $ 32.49 - 32.49 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type: Standard

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location: Billings, MT

Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Union: 000 - None

Posting Date: May 30, 2025, 10:41:09 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): June 29, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name: Stacey Gabrio | Contact Email: [e-mail] | Contact Phone: [phone]

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.

Billings Area Forester

Job Description - Forester 2 - Area Forester (25141251)

https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=25141251&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FDenver