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 agencys 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
- POST Certification/Training Record
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 June 1 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.
Special Information:
This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1 2025 and July 1 2026.
Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1040 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 underrepresented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.
Specific Job Information:
Region Five is a diverse region with the largest metropolitan area in Montana as well as remote wilderness areas. The region contains most of Montanas wildlife and fish species and the diverse habitats they require. Game wardens are exposed to every FWP law enforcement situation that potentially occurs across the state. There is the expectation that wardens work across the region and the state as needed.
By the nature and complexity of warden sergeants duties typically the warden sergeant is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to support field staff respond to the public and address wildlife issues. Job demands are heaviest during weekends & holidays. Warden sergeants may work odd hours generally alone with no backup. Officer must regularly respond to verbal communication alarms telephones and radio communications.
Officers must be in excellent physical health and condition. This position requires frequent climbing bending pushing pulling dragging. Requires lifting 50lbs unassisted. Working with sick or injured wildlife removing illegal kills trapping and relocating animals back packing horseback patrols loading and unloading operating boats snowmobiles and OHVs physical labor in deep snow and use of force incidents require physical strength stamina and/or force. Officers must be in excellent mental condition as a warden sergeant must deal with all types of personalities and stress levels.
The warden sergeant is required to function in all weather extremes under adverse working conditions for prolonged patrols and activities. Patrolling often requires sitting for long periods of time in a vehicle. Handling various wildlife and equipment traversing rough terrain including water operating vehicles/vessels at high speeds and under unstable conditions may result in injury. Dangerous interactions with criminals executing arrests and being subject to assault and to dangerous substances including drugs and bodily fluids is to be expected.
Job Duties:
The Warden Sergeant is a first linesupervisor law enforcement officer responsible for supervising law enforcement field staff and implementing the law enforcement program in the region including assisting in the development monitoring and evaluation of enforcement aspects of FWP programs in the region. Warden Sergeants are knowledgeable in criminal law criminal procedure search & seizure detention & arrest the judicial process and general personnel matters including the elements of progressive discipline. They facilitate and coordinate criminal investigations within the region accordingly.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
Supervision 60%
- Supervises field staff: Monitors and is immediately responsible for overall regional law enforcement activities of assigned field wardens and their respective districts. Assists in development and implementation of warden district plans ensuring statutory duties are prioritized. Sergeants monitor and evaluate field staff performance to make sure the goals in each warden district they supervise are accomplished. Responsible for writing tracking and giving performance evaluations. Ensures division priorities and direction is followed by field staff as well as ensuring consistency and quality over quantity in handling violations and educating the public. Monitors data generated from the SmartCop Data Management Plan including number of tickets and written warnings issued. Responsible for maintaining standards of work and conduct of subordinates. Makes every effort to minimize public complaints by coaching mentoring and developing of field staff. Responsible for handling personnel matters and conducts internal investigations regarding warden conduct including informal oral or detailed written investigations. Provides guidance direction and supervision to subordinate officers in investigation duties using knowledge skills and abilities of law enforcement investigative methodology and law enforcement policy and procedures.
- Program Implementation: Assists Captain in coordinating enforcement activities within the region to ensure protection conservation and propagation of public resources and personnel/budget efficiency. Ensures law enforcement needs of agency programs are met policy is adhered to and fiscal responsibility is observed. Is responsible for ensuring TIPMONT response and tracking is completed properly. Ensures investigative resources are used i.e. regional investigators and criminal investigation section. Serves as a liaison between FWP and other law enforcement agencies.
- Operational Oversight: Organizes and supervises simulated wildlife operations search warrants various check stations saturation patrols and other enforcement operations while ensuring proper manpower and equipment is assigned state law and department policy is followed and employee safety is prioritized. Coordinates field efforts in water safety snowmobile safety and OHV safety programs to ensure public safety by providing formal instruction information and ensuring compliance of laws and regulations. Is responsible for all equipment assigned to field staff that they immediately supervise and ensures all equipment is maintained and tracked utilizing the Frontline system.
- Program Coordination: Works collaboratively with the fish wildlife and parks programs to organize and plan enforcement services accordingly throughout the region. Oversees field warden work in State Parks and Fishing Access Sites to ensure coverage in these areas and works with field wardens and other FWP staff to prevent vandalism user conflicts and maintain site security. Coordinates saturation patrols through the assignment of personnel and equipment to specific areas providing a high visibility presence to deter illegal activities. Works in cooperation with field wardens and the Regional Investigator to plan and execute high profile and complex special investigations to achieve successful prosecution as assigned. Coordinates enforcement activities with other state federal tribal and local enforcement agencies to maximize enforcement efforts and capabilities.
- Training: Oversight of Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) within the region. Participates in the assignment of new officers to FTOs. Act as a key component of the FTO program and its critical function in training and evaluating new officers. Responsible for training newly employed wardens for a thirtyday orientation phase. Sergeants are also responsible for writing an evaluation summary report after each of the six FTO phases to ensure the probationary warden is progressing through the FTO program. Assists the Captain and field instructors in implementing and monitoring inservice and onthejob training programs for field staff.
Field Duties 40%
- Patrol: Sergeants perform field level enforcement duties and investigations as necessary to supplement field staff and to cover vacant warden districts or areas in need of added enforcement presence. Sergeants issue citations and written warnings as well as write search warrants.
- Additional Duties as Assigned: Sergeants also perform a wide array of other duties as assigned by the Captain and/or other duties or responsibilities acquired through taking on additional assignments.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):
- Proficient knowledge of major fish and wildlife species and their habitats
- Proficient knowledge of the wide variety of outdoor recreation in Montana.
- Extensive knowledge of theories principles and practices of law enforcement and its functions commonly obtained through peace officer certification.
- Extensive knowledge in the use of force continuum and officer survival.
- Excellent oral & written communication skills are required to interact with the media in addition to an extensive understanding of sociology psychology conflict management & resolution and criminal behavior patterns in order to communicate with and understand the public and those who recreate outdoors and in department owned recreational areas.
- Proficient in the use of a variety of firearms and standard law enforcement equipment including all types of motorized vehicles & equipment complex monitoring devices simulated wildlife computers electronics traps immobilizing agents & a working knowledge of equipment used by other department divisions.
- High proficiency in the use of Mobile Computer Terminals and their functions programs and systems as well as proficiency in the use of various computers programs and electronic systems.
- Thorough knowledge of department organization policy operation and budget fish wildlife parks and recreation laws rules and regulations.
- Possess professional & technical knowledge in each of the departments responsibilities; enforcement fish wildlife & parks management conservation education and field services to ensure constituents and the departments needs are addressed.
- Working knowledge of standard administrative procedures and practices state budgeting rules and procedures.
- Knowledge of personnel management concepts and practices and possess the ability to analyze data and make professional judgments in the course of supervising and working with other people.
- Skilled in procedures for mitigating wildlife damage/depredation infectious wildlife diseases trapping & transplanting immobilization & relocation of wildlife.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge skills and abilities of this position are attained with a bachelors degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology or Management Park Management Outdoor Recreation Criminal Justice or a closely related field and 3 or more years of jobrelated work experience.
An applicant must be:
- At least 18 years of age on the date of appointment.
- A United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident in conjunction with appointment as a Fish Wildlife & Parks Warden.
- In excellent physical and mental health and must be able to pass a medical examination and a strength and agility test according to standards set forth by the Montana Board of Crime Control and prescribed by the department (minimum visual acuity is 20/100 corrected to 20/20 in both eyes).
Game Warden Sergeant
