Program Manager - Southwestern Land Office Area Operations Manager

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

Work Unit Overview:

This position serves as the Southwestern Land Office (SWLO) Area Operations Manager and is responsible for planning and coordinating the delivery of Trust Land Management and Forestry Division programs within the Land Office and the four Units that comprise the SWLO. This position has primary oversight of the facilities maintenance and fleet management within the SWLO but delegates the day-to-day upkeep to the Units and Program Managers at the Land Office. This position is also the lead safety representative for the Area and the primary point of contact for safety program delivery, related issues, and inspections. The position also provides specific oversight and coordination to those projects and programs that span the Forestry and Trust lands Division and performs a variety of other duties as assigned. These collective duties are coordinated with the Area Manager, Unit Managers, Program Managers, and Bureau management and staff. The incumbent reports to the Area Manager and directly and indirectly supervises four Land Office Managers and their assigned personnel.

Job Overview:

This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and integrating field operations with centralized Department functions. This includes developing and integrating operational plans and procedures; coordinating multiple projects, resource allocations, and Unit operations; coordinating the Area's implementation of Forestry Assistance, Good Neighbor Authority and Trust Lands: Forest Management, Real Estate, Ag and Grazing, and Recreations programs, and providing public communication and outreach. This requires extensive knowledge of natural resource management, resource management, and forest improvement; program and project management; negotiation and mediation techniques; business and public communication principles; and the Department mission and Area and Unit goals and objectives. Field program development also requires skills in integrating multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives; negotiating, mediating, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing; project planning and administration; organizing and reviewing the work of others; and developing appropriate resource management practices and policies. This position requires abilities in developing innovative solutions to complex and sometimes unprecedented problems affecting field operations, negotiating consensus, mediating contentious issues, and translating technical information to varied audiences.

Program planning and development:

Assesses the operational and program needs within the Area to develop plans for, resource management, forest improvement, and other field operations and services. This involves developing planning networks, facilitating meetings, and developing strategic plans that integrate dynamic needs of field operations while satisfying broader Area and Department requirements. Establishes and maintains relationships with industry, conservation, and resource management leaders in the Area to ensure that field operations and services are meeting multiple interests. Coordinates with Area Manager, Unit managers, program managers, and Bureaus to ensure that plans reflect multiple needs, objectives, and requirements.

Evaluates resource management, forest improvement, and other projects to evaluate priorities, resource requirements, procedures, schedules, quality assurances, and related management issues. Coordinates with one or more Area program managers, Unit managers, and appropriate Bureaus to resolve deficiencies in project plans, budgets, and specifications and ensure effective operations and services. This includes considerations affecting public life and safety, environmental health, community involvement, industrial and economic development, political circumstances, and other issues.

Coordinates fiscal, workforce, and material resources to ensure that allocations are cost-effective, comply with state and federal requirements, and meet the needs of individual projects. This involves assessing current and projected needs, cooperative projects, and cost-efficiencies within the Area (e.g., resource-sharing opportunities, bulk purchases, etc.); and adjusting resources to respond to dynamic field conditions and/or emergency situations. Monitors project expenditures to ensure that the Area Manager is aware of field Unit needs.

Coordinates and oversees timber sale program and activities within SWLO to achieve annual sales goals and ensure conformance with Area plans and requirements. Assesses statutory revenue requirements; coordinates with Area Manager, Unit Managers, program managers, SWLO Forest Management Committee; and appropriate Bureaus to identify Area needs and revenue opportunities; and evaluates the overall environmental and political sensitivity of potential sales (e.g., proximity to urban areas, old growth, endangered species, special interest groups involved, etc.). Conducts analysis, recommends resource adjustments, and develops new approaches to assists the program in meeting individual Unit and Area-wide goals.

Coordinates with Area Manager, Unit managers, program managers, appropriate Bureaus, and others to develop and deliver presentations, attend meetings and conferences, and exchange information that promotes public awareness of and support for SWLO program implementation and activities. This involves working with local governments, organizations, committees, and individuals to identify issues of interest or concern; coordinating with other Area and Department staff to address these issues; and representing the Area to regional stakeholders to promote cooperation and understanding.

Program Oversight:

Includes planning and program monitoring, budgeting and fiscal support

Contracted services administration, facility and equipment maintenance, training, and field representation.

Effective program oversight requires extensive knowledge of natural resource management, resource management, and forest improvement program and project management.

Basic real estate and rights of way principles and practices; negotiation and mediation techniques

Business and public communication Principles

The Department mission and Area and Unit goals and objectives

These duties also require skills and abilities in integrating multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives; negotiating, mediating, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing; project planning and administration; organizing and reviewing the work of others; developing resource management practices; plan and conduct presentations and training; and developing innovative solutions to complex and sometimes unprecedented problems affecting field operations.

Staff Supervision:

This position directly supervises 2 Land Office Program Managers and 1 Land Use Planner and 1 Business Manager (4 FTE) and indirectly supervises (20 FTE) through subordinate supervisors. This involves reviewing subordinate work plans and procedures; handling disciplinary actions and resolving conflicts; and hiring, training, and providing recommendations for rewarding and terminating staff. The position is responsible for determining duties and responsibilities of subordinate positions; allocating human resources; and evaluating performance. This work requires knowledge of Department and State personnel procedures and policies, employment law, program requirements, and personnel management practices and techniques.

Supervises SWLO Program Managers by reviewing and revising overall work plans, priorities, and procedures and monitoring progress through meetings and consultations. Conducts staff meetings, disseminates data, and promotes information exchanges for support and advancement of Area and Department goals.

Determines training needs of staff through analysis of program effectiveness, new methods and policies, and staff performance. Prepares, presents, or coordinates training through personnel specialists, training offices, or outside consultants to ensure that modern technologies and operational strategies are available.

Identifies staffing needs, recruits and hires employees, and allocates human resources to adequately support the ongoing activities of the Land Office services and functions. This involves ensuring compliance with state and federal employment and civil rights laws throughout the hiring process, assigning personnel screening and selection committees, reviewing results and making final recommendations for hiring, and ensuring proper training and orientation of new employees.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

• Online State of Montana application
• 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, to learn more and see if you may qualify!
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Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a resource management-related field
• At least six (6) years of relevant experience, including five (5) years of supervisory and program management experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered in recruiting for the position.
• At least 1-2 years of demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.

Work Environment:

• Office-based with occasional travel for staff or stakeholder meetings.
• May involve interaction with legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• This position requires extensive knowledge of natural resource management, including broad disciplines such as resource management, and forest improvement.
• Program and project management
• Negotiation and mediation techniques
• Awareness of Departmental organization; agency business practices; public communication principles.
• The Department mission and Area and Unit goals and objectives
• Supervisory responsibilities require knowledge of Department and State personnel procedures and policies, employment law, program requirements, and personnel management practices and techniques.

Skills in:

• This position requires skills in integrating multiple and sometimes conflicting program objectives into a consistent and comprehensive operation; negotiating, mediating, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Project planning and administration
• Organizing and reviewing the work of others
• Developing resource management practices and policies that respond to dynamic field conditions while satisfying broader Area and Department objectives and requirements.
• Requires skill in the operation of agency vehicles and equipment, standard business software applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.), and specialized communications systems.

Ability to:

• Requires the ability to manage multiple project priorities and objectives
• Plan and conduct presentations and training
• Develop innovative solutions to complex and sometimes unprecedented problems affecting program delivery and implementation.
• Requires the ability to negotiate consensus, mediate contentious issues, and translate technical information to varied audiences.

Minimum Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods in office settings.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment, files, and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, and field measuring devices.
• Capacity to drive a vehicle for statewide travel.

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"

Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.