Military Spouse Connection Jobs

* * First review date May 13, 2024 Work Unit Overview: * The Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD) at DNRC is responsible for providing technical and financial assistance to local governments, state agencies and private citizens for conservation, development, protection and management of the state’s natural resources. The Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program (Program) serves the Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team (MSGOT) in the administration of the Montana’s Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (Strategy), which is comprised of the Sage Grouse Stewardship Act (Act) and relevant Executive Orders. The Sage Grouse Program Manager reports to the CARDD Administrator, who is under the direction of the DNRC Director, a key member of MSGOT. *Job Overview: * TheSage Grouse Program Specialistimplements Montana’s Strategy under direction of the program manager. Specifically, the program specialist works with state and federal agencies, and administrative entities like the Montana Board of Oil & Gas in matters related to Montana’s Strategy. The program specialist will be a program contact and consult with private landowners and project proponents who submit plans for proposed activities occurring in Sage Grouse habitat to the program. *Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): */ //These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent./ *A. Program Implementation * Implement and continuously improve workflow processes of the Program. 1. Analyze proposed development or conservation activities relative to sage grouse habitat and populations through application of ecological principles, the scientific literature, and authorities of the Program. Conduct consultation review for development and conservation projects located within sage grouse habitat. Prepare consultation letters provided directly to developers, credit project providers, or their consultants. Evaluate compliance and consistency with appropriate standards, guidance, laws and regulations to ensure adequate management of sage grouse habitats as required by Montana’s Strategy. Projects submitted for program consultation may include but are not limited to road construction, residential and commercial development, livestock grazing, pest control, oil and gas pipelines, power lines, oil well development, cell towers, transmission lines, wind and solar development, invasive species management, conifer removal, and mining. This is done through inspection and review of proposed, current, and historic disturbance patterns and human activities in identified sage grouse habitats, site-specific professional decisions and recommendations, and MEPA or NEPA interdisciplinary team participation. Reports are made orally and through written technical report provided to the program manager, MSGOT, state and federal agencies, private landowners, project proponents, and other interestedparties. 2. Review and provide written comment on current statewide program plans and proposed projects analyzed by or for other state and federal agencies. Implement the program’s policy directives and business processes related to Governor’s Executive Orders and the Act to achieve consistent application within the state. Implementation is accomplished through research, literature review, and discussions with professionals from other agencies and organizations or private consultants, data collection, analysis, interpretation and drafting of technical reports or analyses. 3. Contribute data to the Program’s information system that delineates levels of habitat disturbance and conservation trends, respectively across multiple administrative areas. This is accomplished by conducting ground, aerial, and desktop GIS analyses; by gathering, compiling, and analyzing data using existing computer GIS models; and through collaborative efforts with other state and federal agencies, private landowners, project proponents, and other interested parties. Track, enter and store appropriate information in the program’s specialized web application for recordkeeping. 4. Determine mitigation obligations and analyze mitigation measures proposed by developers to offset impacts to sage grouse habitat and populations. Work with project proponents or their consultants as they develop their mitigation plans, which may include compensatory mitigation. 5. Operates sage grouse habitat and landscape GIS –based analytic models to predict impacts of proposed development and other activities on sage grouse habitats and cumulative effects for the program manager. This is done by developing or adapting existing models and coefficients, running models, and using extensive knowledge of species requirements and ecological processes, experience and professional judgment to interpret the results. 6. Work with state and federal agencies, private landowners, interested parties, and project proponents or their consultants to develop and present Program outreach and guidance. 7. Contribute to program efforts to prepare annual reports, write environmental assessments for Stewardship Account grant projects, or other written documents and perform outreach to stakeholders and other interested parties by conducting oral presentations. *B. Project Implementation * Completes discrete projects needed for successful implementation of theStrategy. All projects will have adefined scope of work, performance measurements, specifications (requirements), work schedule, and budget. The program specialist will be responsible forcoordinating with the program manager, DNRC Financial Services and Legal staff to ensure compliance with the financial, technical and legal requirements of contracts and agreements. *Other Duties as assigned: This position performs a variety of other duties in support of the ongoing work associated with implementation of the Strategy, the Program, MSGOT, DNRC and the Division. Supervision: *None. *APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * * Cover Letter * Resume *TIP: When attaching your resume, cover letter and other material, you must mark the attachments as "relevant". * *BENEFITS: * o + Health Care & Benefits + Retirement + Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays For any questions regarding this position, please contact Becky Quick at 406-444-6673 or at Rebecca.Quick@mt.gov. This position is eligible for the statutory increase of $1.50 in July, 2024. * * * * Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): * The position requires education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, natural resource management, life science or a related field. * Two (2) years progressively responsible experience. * Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted. Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: * Requires knowledge of the concepts and theories of wildlife management, resource management, and project management. This includes knowledge of the scientific and economic issues related to resource development; contract administration; grant administration; public relations and outreach; and financial management. Requires skill implementing multiple projects, verbal and written communication, negotiation and conflict management, the use of personal computers and business-related software, public speaking, communicating both verbally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in an effective manner, and in organizing and delivering reports. Requires the ability to plan, organize, and administer varying work load; apply analysis and judgment in arriving at solutions to both routine and unprecedented management problems; apply Governor’s office direction, MSGOT direction, federal and state policies, laws, administrative rules and court decisions; and to exercise professional judgment to arrive at timely decisions in complex situations. Requires ability to use, read and interpret GIS-created maps, USGS quadrangle maps, and similarly created specialized maps to evaluate proposed projects. Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. Eligibility to Work: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". The State of Montana does not sponsor. *Title: Biologist Location: Helena Requisition ID: 24141351