Access Resource Specialist

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The position is based in a regional FWP office but spends time traveling and in the field meeting with landowners setting up access areas interacting with recreationalists and maintaining areas open for public use.Field activities require working independently and driving in inclement weather and on hazardous roads. Must have a drivers license and be able to operate a 4x4 truck both standardand automatic transmissions in all types of weather and road conditions.Incumbent must be able to move heavy objects utilize basic construction tools such as post pounders drills fence stretchers hammers etc. Incumbent also performs work indoors in a typical office environment where the employee is regularly required to stand sit and operate a computer and telephone. May sit for extended periods. Position requires ability to move heavy boxes (up to 50 lbs.) containing publications and other materials. Some extended field travel weekends and extra work hours may be required. The incumbent may also encounter periodic stressful occurrences.

This is a full-time position with typical workweeks lasting Monday through Friday but may require some weekend workdays.There will be occasional trips that require overnight stays for FWP meetings. Additional hours are earned as either compensatory time or overtime on an hour to hour and a half basis in early mornings evenings or weekends. The incumbent should expect to receive and manage phone calls from the public and local landowners at odd hours and to conduct field work when field conditions dictate.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge skills and abilities of this position are normally attained through a high school diploma and 3 years experience relative to the position duties. A Bachelors degree in recreation management natural resource management wildlife biology forestry wildlife management or closely related field is preferred. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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 June 3 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.

Job Duties:

The Access Resource Specialist focuses on public use planning implementation field operations and administration of private land access programs in the region. This position assists with the administration and implementation of all FWP private land access programs within a region.

Understanding of Montanas hunting heritage recreational opportunities natural resource rules and regulations is advantageous. Applicant must have aptitude for building and maintaining interpersonal relationships preferably with private landowners the public and partner agencies. Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a wide variety of people and personalities including ranchers farmers biologists game wardens hunters anglers and other recreationalists. Must have excellent customer service skills and a desire to help people. Must be tactful courteous and professional in communication approach.Should have ability to learn and understand hunting and fishing regulations public use rules and natural resource management. Applicant must be capable of learning and explaining department principles and concepts in a simple clear and effective way to members of the public.Must have ability to work independently with little to no daily supervision in both an office setting and from remote field locations. Must be able to navigate the landscape and administrative boundaries by using a GPS and maps depicting private and public landownership. Ability to learn basic situational awareness perceive personal safety and safety of others is expected. Knowledge of Montana and understanding of agricultural practices is advantageous. A positive outlook and demeanor is required.

REGIONAL ACCESS PROGRAM OPERATIONS

Assists with planning administration and implementation of private land access programs and processes. Translates access agreements into public information documents. This may include building editing and maintaining regional access program public rules documents and/or maps by using ArcGIS Pro word adobe acrobat or other applicable computer programs. Helps to ensure that the intent of program policies guidelines and landowner agreements are accurate clear and understandable to the public and that public information has minimal errors when released. Performs administrative duties to keep the regional access programs running smoothly for areas of direct responsibility. Collects tabulates summarizes and maintains public use information program records and program databases. Assists with issuing public access area permission resources. Assists in the preparation and maintenance of public hunting and other recreational access field resources. Assists with patrolling access areas for user compliance and monitors user impacts. Maintains assigned office equipment vehicle field equipment etc.

REGIONAL ACCESS PROGRAM PUBLIC SERVICE

Provides FWP access program information to the public and landowners. Provides information and resources necessary for users to appropriately and safely utilize areas open for public recreational use. Responds to inquiries about diverse situations related to fish wildlife and outdoor recreation. Provides public information to users about historical cultural and other recreational resources. Responds to a high volume of inquiries from landowners hunters anglers and other recreational users. Interprets and explains access rules policies and laws to the public and landowners. Provides technical assistance and resources for the department public landowners other agencies and partner organizations when requested. Works collaboratively with regional managers game wardens and biologists to ensure access programs are implemented in accordance with private land agreement terms laws policies public use rules and program intent. Helps resolve regional implementation problems and assists the public at the regional office and remote field settings. Assists with the planning and organization of landowner appreciation logistics and events. This includes planning and hosting annual landowner recognition dinners program awards and other landowner appreciation resources.