Fisheries Biologist 1

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

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

• Resume

• Cover Letter

 

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 May 21^st, 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 1,040 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 work schedule is variable and requires working outside of normal business hours, especially during the field season. Some overnight travel is expected for meetings and field sampling activities that require camping in frontcountry and backcountry settings. Outside of the field season, work tasks are completed in an office setting in the Region 2 Headquarters Office in Missoula. During the field season (April – October), daily travel from the regional office to the Flint/Rock drainages is typically required to complete work assignments. Most field work will be completed during day trips (often greater than 8 hours), but occasional camping trips (overnights and extended trips of 4+ days) will be required. Incumbent must be flexible and willing to adapt to changing work demands. This position has 0.75 base FTE funding with the remainder funded through NRDP which is a state agency in charge of restoring and remediating mining damaged portions of the Upper Clark Fork River Drainage.

Job Duties:

This position serves as the senior-level technician for the Flint/Rock Creek fisheries management area and is involved in all aspects of management activities in these drainages. In general, the duties of the Fisheries Tech 5 may include planning and coordination with the biologist for survey and inventory of aquatic species, planning and utilization of electronic testing and tracking equipment on fisheries resources for monitoring survival/mortality, movements and behavior, and reproductive performance. The positions will also complete planning and coordination of creel surveys, and the collection of biological and habitat samples, entry and management of databases, and the operation and maintenance of fisheries field equipment. This position often completes work assignments independently with little supervision, but also works in a team environment sampling alongside the regional fisheries biologist and seasonal technicians/interns. The incumbent will oversee field activities including electrofishing (boat and backpack), gill netting, operating weirs and traps, telemetry, and other surveys as necessary. They will assist the regional biologist with data analysis and preparation of technical reports and manuscripts. Responsible for inventory, organization, and maintenance of all sampling equipment (including boats and trailers). The incumbent will facilitate research, monitoring, and evaluation activities with partners and collaborators (NGOs and government agencies). Frequent interaction and communication with the public, including private landowners, anglers, and ranchers is expected. Supervision of seasonal technicians or interns and coordination of volunteers will be required. Participates in study design, planning and field scheduling, database management, and dissemination of information.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in fish biology, fish and wildlife management, ecology, biology, and three years of progressive job-related experience or work closely related to fish and wildlife biology. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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 agency's 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.