Job Description
Announcement:
Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement: Resume and Cover Letter
In your cover letter please explain why you are interested in the position and outline your vision for implementing a professional hiring program and developing an internal training program for game wardens. Limit your letter to no more than two (2) pages.
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 3rd, 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:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, through its employees and citizen commission, provides for the stewardship of the fish, wildlife, parks and recreational resources of Montana, while contributing to the quality of life for present and future generations.
The Law Enforcement Division has a specific role in meeting the mandate of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to protect, perpetuate, enhance and regulate the wise use of the state’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of the people of Montana. The division enforces laws of Montana and rules of the department with reference to protection, preservation, and propagation of game and non-game wildlife, laws and rules associated with recreational use and protection of state lands, and laws and rules associated with the licensing and operation of boats, snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles. Additionally, the division performs various administrative functions in safety and education programs related to the department’s missions. The Enforcement Division maintains a strong commitment to protecting the state’s fish, wildlife & parks resources while retaining its commitment to Montana’s hunting, fishing, trapping and outdoor recreation heritage. This is accomplished by providing education and consistent statewide enforcement of laws, rules and regulations in each of the seven regions of the state.
Job Overview:
The Training Sergeant is considered an Administrative Sergeant in the Enforcement Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and is required to have the capacity to accomplish all the duties listed below as needed. However, the Training Sergeant will have primary focus in the following areas:
1. Development and implementation of game warden hiring process. To include onboarding organization and support of recruitment efforts.
2. Management of Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP)
3. Development of internal training program, ensuring conformance to professional training requirements and administrative oversight of warden personnel development. Management or coordination of external trainings and associated records.
4. Facilitation and management of various enforcement committees and work groups related to training and equipment.
5. Support of equipment management and procurement to include budgetary oversight.
The Training Sergeant is expected to at times work closely with the other administrative sergeant (TipMont) where and when duties and projects overlap.
Law Enforcement (Program Administration)
Program Management and Implementation: Manages and is immediately responsible for specific statewide law enforcement programs, operations and activities. Is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining multiple statewide law enforcement specific policies, guidelines, processes, procedures, and programs to accomplish, division and department goals within equipment, budgetary and personnel limitations, ensuring compliance with state and federal law, rules and regulations. Providing oversight.
Assists in development and implementation of division staff work plans, warden district plans and work requests to accomplish program specific goals, department goals and objectives. Monitors and evaluates programs monthly, mid-year and annually to ensure program and division goals and objectives in warden districts statewide are accomplished by reviewing warden reports and meeting with enforcement management and field staff regularly. Writes, tracks, and gives program review and evaluations to the Chief of Enforcement and other agencies, organizations and interest groups.
Develops and implements hiring processes for general warden vacancies and conducts in-depth confidential background investigation of applicants. Submits processes and/or investigative results to the Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and/or Chief of Law Enforcement for review and to ensure proper procedures are followed.
Develops and implements all necessary and required program specific training requirements; initiates and facilitates various enforcement committees and work groups to identify training and equipment needs.
Operational/Administrative Oversight: Has operational, administrative and budgetary oversight of various law enforcement division programs. This includes preparing and monitoring large scale budgets, making large scale equipment purchases and monitoring expenditures to ensure appropriate use of funds within fiscal year program budget through record keeping, expenditure authorization, and SABHRS monitoring. Maintain logs, prepare reports, and directs the preparation, handling, and maintenance of various department and law enforcement records.
Program Coordination: Works collaboratively with the fish, wildlife and parks programs to organize and plan enforcement services accordingly throughout the state. Coordinates program planning with division Captains and Sergeants statewide as well as with other state, federal, tribal and local law enforcement agencies to maximize enforcement efforts and capabilities.
Field Duties: 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.
Additional Duties as Assigned: Sergeants also perform a wide array of other duties as assigned by the Chief of enforcement and/or other duties or responsibilities acquired through taking on additional assignments.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
A bachelor’s 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 job-related work experience is required. 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).
POST Certified or equivalent certification from another state.
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.