Range Conservation Scientist 1 - Land Use Specialist

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other.
• We create collaborative work environments.
• We build and maintain strong relationships.
• We practice accountability.
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work

Position Overview

The Eastern Land Office-Land Use Specialist (LUS) has operational responsibility for assigned departmental programs and field activities, property and personnel within the defined geographical region of the Eastern Land Office. The LUS performs diverse, scientific professional tasks in the design, implementation, coordination and evaluation of all assigned natural resource management programs within the office.

What You'll Do

• Manage state trust lands to support responsible resource use and meet department goals.

• Evaluate grazing and agricultural practices, provide guidance to lessees, and monitor land conditions.

• Administer leases and review proposed land uses, improvements, easements, and access requests.

• Conduct site inspections and environmental reviews to assess impacts and ensure compliance with laws, policies, and agreements.

• Monitor mineral development, reclamation, and noxious weed management activities.

• Investigate violations, recommend corrective actions, and help resolve land-use conflicts.

• Prepare reports and agreements, maintain records, and collaborate with lessees, agencies, and the public.

• Support GIS tools, wildfire response, and other assigned activities.

Application Materials

• Online State Application

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Benefits

• Work/life balance.

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.

• Longevity pay with continued state service.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.