Recreation Ranger

Special Information:

This position assists the recreation manager at state parks, fishing access sites, and wildlife management areas within defined geographic areas in FWP Region 2 (west-central Montana). This requires working with the recreation manager to plan for and work at various recreation sites within those geographic areas. The recreation ranger may work and travel in some instances in poor weather and travel conditions. This position will require a willingness to work periodically during irregular hours, some weekends, and occasional holidays. 

The positions are full-time permanent positions within Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division. The Blackfoot River District Ranger is based in the Missoula Regional Headquarters but works primarily along the river corridor in the Blackfoot Valley. This area has the highest concentration of Fishing Access Sites (FAS) in Region 2 and this position will patrol and help manage 26 FAS, 2 Wildlife Management Areas, and the Blackfoot Float-In Campsite Program. This person will assist with the implementation and administration of Special Recreation Rules in place on the Blackfoot River and in the Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor. There are many partnerships within the region and this specific geographic unit. FWP assists the BLM in the management of the Special Recreation Permit System, the Float-In Campsite Program, and 3 day-use sites, one campground and a major launch point on the Blackfoot River. The Recreation Ranger will patrol these sites and remain in communication with the BLM Park Ranger. The Blackfoot River Corridor Agreement is a partnership FWP has with other agencies and landowners. This position will patrol the Corridor to ensure the unique rules in place are followed.

The Bitterroot District Ranger is based at Travelers’ Rest State Park in Lolo (about 10 miles south of Missoula). Montana Fish Wildlife and Park lands in the Bitterroot are, two Wildlife Management Areas, approximately twenty Fishing Access Sites and three State Parks, including one National Historic Landmark and one National Register site. Travelers’ Rest State Park includes a visitor center that is open year-round. This position is also responsible for assisting in the overall operations of a visitor center located within a National Historic Landmark including a gift store, interpretive exhibits and information center. This position requires work with non-profit friends groups, tribal representatives and individuals, neighboring landowners and other FWP colleagues in fisheries, wildlife, administration and enforcement. A background and/or interest in natural and cultural resource interpretation is a bonus. 

The Hellgate District Ranger is based in the Missoula Regional Headquarters but works primarily on and along the middle Clark Fork River from Milltown State Park to St. Regis. The Hellgate District comprises four state parks (Milltown, Council Grove, Frenchtown Pond and Fish Creek), 18 fishing access sites, including the sites along the Alberton Gorge, and the 40,000-acre Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area. This position will assist with the implementation and administration of Special Recreation Permit in place on the Alberton Gorge whitewater section of the Clark Fork River. This position requires an ability to work with diverse partners and public. Recreation sites in this district see high volume day use, especially around the urban core.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 2 is in west central Montana. The region currently manages ten state parks, fifteen wildlife management areas, and more than 75 fishing access sites. The largest community in the region is Missoula, with a growing population exceeding 75,000 (over 120,000 in the greater Missoula area). Missoula is home to two major hospitals, the University of Montana, and an international airport. The region is a mix of wide-open valleys and free-flowing rivers set against majestic mountain ranges. There is a rich indigenous history that is embraced by FWP Region 2 staff. 

River recreation on the Bitterroot, Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers is a significant pastime, with diverse opportunities for float or wade angling, floating on inner tubes, whitewater and scenic floating. The region has several mountain ranges with unique flora, fauna, and geology blending into prairie and agricultural land in the valleys. In addition to the lands managed by FWP, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of additional public lands (USFS, BLM, city, county and NGO) in the area. The diversity of landscapes and transitions offer a wealth of recreational opportunity for exploring, hiking, skiing, camping, floating, sightseeing, fishing, hunting, skiing, birdwatching, picnicking, bike riding, wildlife viewing, ATV riding, snowmobiling, and boating to name a few. 

Missoula is a cultural and commercial center for the region, supporting activities such as indoor and outdoor concerts, live theatre venues, many personal interest organizations, festivals, and art walks; there is something for many interests. The area is within 3-4 hours of both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and also offers sites of national significance such as the National Bison Range, Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, historic Stevensville, Flathead Lake, Travelers' Rest, Lolo Trail, and Nez Perce Trail National Historic Landmarks and the Ice Age Flood National Trail . 

Job Duties: 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, through its employees and citizen commission and board, 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. In support of this mission, the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division is responsible for:· visitor use, recreation management, and maintenance at state parks, fishing access sites, and wildlife management areas; river recreation management; access for hunting, fishing, and other types of recreation on public and private lands; shooting range development; and administration of trail and shooting range grant programs. In conjunction with the rest of the agency and its external partners, the Division provides valued services to the public and manages human use to ensure the long-term sustainability of Montana's scenic, historic, cultural, archaeological, and fish and wildlife resources. 

The Recreation Ranger is a lead staffer assigned to a geographic unit and assists in all aspects of non­maintenance operations at State Parks, Fishing Access Sites, Wildlife Management Areas (recreation management only), and/or river corridors assigned to that unit. This work primarily encompasses some administrative duties, visitor use, natural, cultural, and historical resource management activities. Except for maintenance functions, this position assists in daily site and program operations, visitor contacts, rule compliance, fee collection and remittance, interpretation, and education at assigned sites. The Ranger provides resource stewardship in a proactive manner, providing recommendations to the Recreation Manger based on visitor use patterns, staff, and resource conditions.

This position assists the manager in the supervision of seasonal staff with direction, training, and evaluations when assigned. 

There are many partnerships within the region and this specific geographic unit. FWP assists the BLM in the management of the Special Recreation Permit System, the Float-In Campsite Program, and 3 day-use sites, one campground and a major launch point on the Blackfoot River. The Recreation Ranger will patrol these sites and remain in communication with the BLM Park Ranger. The Blackfoot River Corridor Agreement is a partnership FWP has with other agencies and landowners. This position will patrol the Corridor to ensure the unique rules in place are followed. 

This position provides essential services and tasks as they arise, including but not limited to addressing public safety concerns, fee collection and remittance, interpretation and education, visitor use data collection, and special recreation permit and commercial use permit compliance. The position is supervised by the unit Recreation Manager and helps other staff and volunteers. This person may be assigned to multiple geographic units or be called upon to assist with, collaborate on, or share management of another geographic unit as circumstances require.