Elk Herder

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

• Resume

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 March 1 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released 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 under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Job Duties:

Through the use of herding and harassing the herder will attempt to minimize migratory elk use of the Cobb ranch in elk hunting district 425. The herder on foot horseback or from a motorized vehicle shall monitor and patrol the Cobb ranch in elk hunting district 425 and shall harass or attempt to move observed migratory elk. These efforts shall necessarily occur primarily near dawn and dusk but other times of the day will be required as necessary. The herder shall maintain routine communication of work schedules observed elk and expended/remaining resources. The herder shall cooperate with any other concurrent herding efforts if necessary to ensure the most efficient herding effort is applied. Based upon these communications herding/harassment activity may be adjusted to address present or anticipated elk use. The herder also has the authority only after consulting with the FWP liason and FWPs discretion to herd/harass elk on other immediately adjacent private properties to aid in the necessary movement of elk related to the primary intent of this contract. Other activities to include antler collection or unnecessary additional/other persons are not permitted by this agreement. A diary shall be kept enumerating daily herding locations daily hours and vehicle mileage of herding effort daily time of herding effort (for example: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM) and numbers and gender (bull/cow) of elk herded each day for submittal at the end of the herding effort.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

This position must be independently capable of working in isolated and rugged outdoor settings in all weather. This requires the ability to dress appropriately and to navigate the landscape without getting lost or trespassing on private lands without permission. Must be able to walk and ride/maintain horses ATVs or other vehicles. To be effective at moving wildlife this position must know understand and anticipate how and when wildlife use the landscape and how best to interrupt or prevent this use.

This position must also be able to effectively communicate with private landowners hunters and other members of the public.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

The knowledge skills and abilities of this position are normally attained through experience working in the outdoors and around wildlife or livestock Persons with a history of ranch/farm work or hunting often have these skills.