Forester 2 - Management Forester Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's 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.
Position Overview:
This position performs advanced professional forest management activities under the general supervision of the Unit Forest Management Supervisor. The incumbent independently plans, coordinates, and implements projects necessary to sell timber or related products from trust lands to provide income to the various trusts. These projects are complex and must be designed on a case-by-case basis to conform to numerous constraints and respond to multiple issues. Each project must be analyzed under Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) rules and will require the preparation of document(s) disclosing the adequate level of analysis for each project and may require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. This position would serve as the Project Leader for preparation of complex, large-volume forest product sales, timber permits, and other forest product sales.
What You'll Do:
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. Coordinate and perform inventory monitoring to identify and prioritize timber sales and maintain Trust Land databases by extracting reports, performing GIS analysis, and conducting fieldwork to verify and update records. Implement timber sales by serving as Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) project leader (documentation, public comment, assessment) and negotiating and administering contracts. Analyze data to develop permits, resource protection plans, resource improvement projects, or implement compliance actions. Establish project boundaries, negotiate access easements. Design specifications for aerial and/or ground-based logging systems. Design/maintain road systems, stream crossings and bridges or reconstruction specifications for state land and/or adjacent ownership. Supervise implementation of timber-volume cruise designs and marking with seasonal forestry technicians and supervise and participate in other sale layout activities. Implement the habitat conservation plan and ensure compliance with silvicultural prescriptions. Inventory and monitor land resources to assess conditions, trends and concerns, and complete statistical analyses, technical research, and financial analyses to determine the highest returns. Manages and evaluates Ag & Grazing, minerals and recreation leases/projects on state trust lands.
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.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field. 3-4 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of: Forest management principles and practices. Equipment and techniques used in forest management projects and operations. Forest practices and hazard reduction laws, Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities. Skills in: The use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations. Operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs. Use of computer hardware and software related to forest management business operations (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail and smart devices) and specialized resource management software. Ability to: Pass an arduous pack test as well as be capable of vigorous physical activity in all types of weather. Navigate using a map and compass. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations. Coordinate and direct multiple resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Salary: $33.74 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: 1Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-Time
Job Type: Standard
Shift: Day JobTravel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Primary Location: Plains Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 - None
Posting Date:
Sep 25, 2026, 4:54:02 PMClosing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Oct 26, 2026, 5:59:00 AMRequired Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume
Contact Name:
Lysandra Badilla | Contact Email: Lysandra.Badilla@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-438-0909 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.
