Chief of Law Enforcement

State of Montana • Helena, MT

8d • Onsite

About The Position

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. Executive Leadership 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. Enforcement Operations 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.

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.
• Possess and maintain Montana peace officer basic certification or possess a state peace officer certification and obtain Montana equivalency within one year.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Be at least 18 years of age on the date of appointment.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Must be or become a Montana resident.
• Be in excellent physical and mental health.
• Must pass a physical examination.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation.
• Must pass a psychological evaluation approved by the agency.

Nice To Haves

• Women and minorities are encouraged to apply as they are under-represented in this job category.

Responsibilities

• Lead FWP’s statewide conservation law enforcement program.
• Develop policies, plan programs, and manage budgets for the division.
• Communicate internally and externally on behalf of the division.
• Oversee all aspects of division administration and operations.
• Represent the division before the Director, executive team, Legislature, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Parks Board, and other partners.
• Serve on the Department’s Management Team to set strategic vision, mission, and goals.
• Lead division planning and priority setting (legislative, capital, and program initiatives).
• Drive organizational alignment, performance measures, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver testimony and presentations on conservation law enforcement priorities, issues, and outcomes.
• Direct statewide law enforcement operations and division resources.
• Ensure alignment with statutes, legislative intent, and department priorities.
• Lead organizational and personnel management functions, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Monitor emerging trends and collaborate with state and national partners.
• Ensure consistent implementation of laws, rules, training, and policies across the division.
• Build and sustain a strong division culture focused on effective hiring and retention, safety science principles, accountability, and a healthy balance between enforcement and conservation.
• Engage staff through clear, consistent, and honest communication.
• Lead 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
• 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