Chief of Law Enforcement

State of Montana • Helena, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Law Enforcement Division helps fulfill FWP’s mandate to protect and wisely manage Montana’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of the public. It enforces relevant laws and rules, delivers safety and education programs, and supports conservation along with Montana’s hunting, fishing, trapping, and outdoor recreation heritage through consistent, statewide enforcement.

The Chief of Law Enforcement is an executive-level position responsible for leading FWP’s statewide conservation law enforcement program, including policy development, program planning, budgeting, and internal and external communication. The Chief oversees all aspects of division administration and operations and regularly represents the division before the Director, executive team, Legislature, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Parks Board, and other partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, criminal justice, public administration, or related field
• 10 years of experience demonstrating progressive responsibility, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity, in conservation law enforcement, law enforcement or closely related field
• Must possess and maintain Montana peace officer basic certification or possess a state peace officer certification and obtain Montana equivalency within one year
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license
• Must be at least 18 years of age on the date of appointment
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be or become a Montana resident
• Must be in excellent physical and mental health
• Must pass a physical examination, an extensive background investigation and a psychological evaluation approved by the agency

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of conservation law enforcement, natural resource issues, and their impact on Montana.
• Understanding of law enforcement practices, technologies, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of personnel management, program development, workforce planning, training, and accountability.
• Build relationships, solve problems collaboratively, negotiate outcomes, and resolve disputes.
• Communicate complex or sensitive issues clearly to staff, partners, the media, and the public.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate programs aligned with agency goals and mission.
• Prepare and deliver effective briefings, presentations, and written materials.
• Make sound decisions in complex, sensitive, or controversial situations.
• Lead with professionalism, fairness, accountability, and integrity.
• See issues from a broad statewide perspective and work effectively in a decentralized environment.
• Adapt to ambiguity, share decision-making, and motivate teams toward strong performance.

Responsibilities

• Serves on the Department’s Management Team to set strategic vision, mission, and goals; leads division planning and priority setting (legislative, capital, and program initiatives), and drives organizational alignment, performance measures, and continuous improvement.
• Represents the division and Department before the Commission, Legislature, and public by delivering testimony and presentations on conservation law enforcement priorities, issues, and outcomes.
• Directs statewide law enforcement operations and division resources, including strategic planning, program development, budget development and monitoring, and policy implementation and evaluation, ensuring alignment with statutes, legislative intent, and department priorities.
• Leads organizational and personnel management functions, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions; monitors emerging trends, collaborates with state and national partners, and ensures consistent implementation of laws, rules, training, and policies across the division.
• Provides forward-thinking executive leadership with enforcement expertise to advocate for the division with the Director, executive team, Legislature, Commission, and other divisions, while modeling professionalism, transparency, and a service-minded attitude.
• Builds and sustains a strong division culture focused on effective hiring and retention, safety science principles, accountability, and a healthy balance between enforcement and conservation, engaging staff through clear, consistent, and honest communication.
• Leads an engaged command staff that prioritizes support for field staff, incorporates regional perspectives into statewide priorities, and consistently models unity, advocacy, collaboration, transparent and honest communication, and a service‑minded attitude toward staff and the broader department.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Paid holidays
• May be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1, 2026.
• May be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees