Description

Note from the Manager

Dear Prospective Applicant,

As the Chief of the DNRC Trust Lands Forest Management Bureau, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your decision to apply for this position. Forest Management - Business Operations within DNRC is much more than traditional business environment.  The Trust Lands program maximizes its revenue potential through strong stakeholder relations, solid business processes, data analytics and data-driven decision support.  The Business Operations module is in lockstep with all Forest Management Program elements in realizing the Trust Lands Mission, annual sustainable yield and subsequent management of forested trust lands for the benefit of the K-12 public school system.  

Managing our trust lands is more than just a job, working with the DNRC is akin to being part of a family. We work hard and play hard. Take advantage of year-round recreation opportunities while living in Big Sky country. Both a regional destination, and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, Missoula is the place to be. Check out https://destinationmissoula.org/about-missoula to learn more about this position’s home base.  

Thank you for considering this opportunity, and we look forward to reviewing your application materials in detail. Your interest is a testament to the promising future of Trust Lands Forest Management here at DNRC.
-Dan Rogers

Look at our program here: https://dnrc.mt.gov/TrustLand 

Work Unit Overview: 

The mission of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is to ensure that State and private lands and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.  

Job Overview: 

This position administers the Forest Management Business Operations function for the Forest Management Bureau.  Utilizing elements of Business Systems Optimization, Business Intelligence, general finance and program understanding, this position is responsible for fully integrating the Forest Management Program and all its subsequent subprograms with Trust Lands Management Division accounting, DNRC Fiscal Services Office, Trust Lands Management Business Systems, and others.  This position will oversee the Forest Management Business Operations Section which houses 3 FTE total and includes the Forest Product Sales Program, Finance Analysis & Reporting, Forest Improvement - planning and financials, Facility/vehicle Maintenance, procurement, contracts and other general bureau business support.  This position reports to the FMB Chief. 

Major Duties or Responsibilities:  This section should be a clear concise statement of the position’s major duties and the approximate percent of work time for each duty. 

• Program Development and Business Administration:  

This position leads and administers the Bureau’s Business Operations Section, providing coordination, direction, and support for managing an annual budget of approximately $6 million while developing operational plans, program priorities, financial benchmarks, standardized reports, and policies. It collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to identify and resolve business needs, improve processes, and enhance applications, and serves as the primary point of contact for the Forest Improvement Program, coordinating funding, accounting, revenues, allocations, and reconciliation. The role establishes performance measures to ensure fiscal sustainability, works with staff to set and align short- and long-term goals with Bureau strategies, and assigns program objectives. It also evaluates and updates policies, administrative rules, and statewide forest management plans to ensure legal compliance and effective operations, integrates complex scientific, economic, political, and community considerations, represents the Bureau as needed, prepares executive and legislative planning materials, assists with Bureau budget development and tracking, and helps develop and review practical, efficient Bureau-wide policies and strategies.

•  Section Operations:

 This position administers the Business Services Section budgets, policies, and resources to ensure efficient and cost-effective program operations as well as compliance with statutory responsibilities and related laws. This involves administering and monitoring policies and procedures of the Section; assessing, obtaining, and allocating necessary financial, material, and human resources; implementing new policies and technologies; and assessing the ongoing effectiveness of Section programs and services.

This position supervises two (2) staff.                                                            

Requirements

All applicants must submit the following (only electronic materials will be accepted):

• Resume
• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Bachelors degree in Natural Resources and 4 years experience (Business degree with natural resources experience can be substituted) 
   

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management or a related resource management field or a business-related degree and 3-4 years of progressively responsible job-related professional experience in forest management including governmental accounting, GAAP/GASB, grant administration, auditing methods, data management with business/financial components.

• The position requires working knowledge of forest management principles and practices; business workflows related to forest management projects and operations; Administrative Rules, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures related to forest management operations and activities; and related laws and rules governing natural resource management.  Position also requires knowledge of Business Systems, Business Optimization principles and Business Intelligence including data and data management, business forecasting, business performance, QA/QC methods. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, methods and approaches used in silviculture, ecology, hydrology, wildlife and fisheries biology is helpful but not critical.  Specific knowledge of DNRC’s Trust Lands Forest Management Program and standard business practices as well as knowledge of DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures, precedents, organizational structures, employment law conflict resolution and program requirements is required. 

Applicant Pool Statement:  If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment:  This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.  

Salary: $85,467.20 - 85,467.20  Yearly    

Telework Eligibility:  Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility:  Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan     

Number of Openings:  1

Employee Status:  Regular

Schedule:  Full-Time

Job Type:  Standard 

Shift:  Day Job

Travel:  Yes, 10 % of the Time  

Primary Location:  Missoula    

Agency:  Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Union:  000 - None  

Posting Date:  Jan 20, 2026, 7:33:15 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone):  Feb 1, 2026, 11:59:00 PM 

Required Application Materials:  Cover Letter, Resume  

Contact Name:  Becky Quick  |  Contact Email:  rebecca.quick@mt.gov  |  Contact Phone:  406-444-6673

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.