AIS Area Supervisor- Northeast

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

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

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• References

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 23rd 2026. 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 2026.

• 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.

Specific Job Information:

The Fisheries Division develops programs and budgets to manage for aquatic resources. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Bureau is managed and coordinated by staff within the Department headquarters. Implementation of programs are accomplished by the respective AIS coordinators. The AIS Area Supervisor position serves as the regional watercraft inspection and decontamination supervisor and assists the AIS Prevention Specialist and the AIS Prevention Coordinator in carrying out specified AIS prevention and containment activities. Management decisions will often have local statewide and national effects on resource status and conservation.

This announcement looks to fill one full-time year-round position. This position covers the northwest portion of Montana in FWP Regions 6 and 7. The position will be based in northwest Montana in Glasgow Lewistown or Havre.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

This position encompasses a large range of knowledge and abilities. Working conditions involve outdoor work often in inclement weather. Work requires periodic exposure to hazardous materials dust and fumes and equipment exhaust and high noise levels while performing decontaminations and repair and maintenance work. Work requires constant interaction with the public as a representative of the state of Montana and Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks. Daily and overnight travel is often required in variable road conditions. It demands a dedicated employee with availability to work weekends evenings some holidays; as well as working long hours outdoors. Applicants will be expected to sit bend stoop crawl climb and move up to 75 pounds. This position will often work with little supervision and require remote supervision of employees. On-call availability during the field season will be required. Must have valid drivers license.

Job Duties:

Regional watercraft inspection station management duties: including interpretation and application of Montana statute and rules; quick decision making on questions posed; decontamination and tracking of certain watercraft; coordination with other entities; presentations; trainings; Watercraft inspection station supervision: including hiring scheduling and training; addressing personnel issues; remote supervision of employees; handling logistics related to equipment outreach etc.; on-call duties; collaboration and coordination with inspection station partners

Administrative: including recruitment and new hire paperwork; time roll; computing; reporting to supervisor; creating/augmenting training materials and watercraft inspection station documents

Maintenance and repair of equipment: including maintaining property lists and equipment and supplies; perform routine maintenance as necessary; remote trouble shooting; assesses need for vehicles; coordinated repairs and warranty work

Regional AIS bureau liaison: AIS Area Supervisors serve as the primary regional contact on AIS issues in their region(s). This includes working closely with Department staff tribes conservation districts National Parks counties cities NGOs user groups and the public to coordinate on AIS prevention survey and outreach activities

AIS Outreach: Serves as the regional AIS outreach contact. Presents AIS information to partners in the supervisors respective region. Coordinates outreach activities with the Com Ed Division. Delivers outreach information at local events and to interested user groups including partners with state federal tribal county NGO and other user groups

Qualifications Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This position supervises and works with a variety of individuals partners and agencies of varying backgrounds and is expected to build strong relationships. Applicant should have a desire to continually grow and learn. The incumbent is expected to make quick critical decisions based on limited information on topics that could have great impact to numerous individuals and Montanas resources.

Knowledge of and experience with computer applications such as word processing spreadsheets and data storage. This position requires good organizational and time management skills and excellent written and verbal communication. Applicants should be able to learn and apply new information quickly.

Ideally this person would be knowledgeable in aquatic invasive species fisheries biology aquatic ecology macrophyte and invertebrate sampling and identification and computer database management. Experience with management of multiple employees in remote locations is preferred. Good communication skills are necessary in dealing with employees other agencies sporting groups and the public. The incumbent must be able to communicate results of research and monitoring to professional peers the public and local state and federal policymakers. Must be able to analyze and summarize data from area of responsibility as needed and requested by superiors. Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees other agencies various interest groups and the public. Must work independently with minimal supervision while remotely supervising others including technicians temporary and seasonal fieldworker positions various contractors work-study students and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Knowledge in aquatic invasive species aquatic ecology or similar field is ideal. Bachelors degree in science related field or at least 2 years of job-related experience is desired. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered. Direct experience in the various listed duties project management and supervisory skills are desirable.