Loon Ranger Intern

State of Montana • Missoula, MT

53d

About The Position

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. THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL. Announcement: Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter References Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11\:59 PM Mountain Time on March 22, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. Special Information: Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. Specific Job Information: Interns will work with the Regional MFWP nongame wildlife biologists to conduct all aspects of the Regional Loon Conservation Program. The intern, also referred to as a “Loon Ranger” will be the primary MFWP person responsible for monitoring and protecting nesting loons in the Blackfoot, Seeley-Swan, and Kalispell areas, as well as doing educational outreach and programs aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of and appreciating for common loons and their habitats in Montana. Loon monitoring and management activities primarily occur during May through July. In coordination with local biologists, interns conduct common loon surveys, deploy and collect floating signs, monitor loons for leg bands, interact with the public on topics of loon conservation, keep daily log of activities, and give campground or other presentations if requested. The intern prepares a final loon nesting summary report at the end of the summer and presents their findings at the Montana Loon Working Group summer meeting in late July. Interns assist in the entry of the loon data into the statewide loon database and other species observations into other databases as appropriate. The intern may sometimes assist other wildlife biologists with their work as needed. Survey and monitoring methods employed during this internship may include part or all of the following\: nest monitoring, careful observations to read leg bands, loon capture and banding, floating sign deployment, trail camera use, beaver activity surveys, and collection of genetic samples. Loon Ranger’s work requires the ability to work alone/independently at times and with other biologists or interns. Often this work will involve long hours (early mornings/evening surveys), sometimes hiking long distances in grizzly bear habitat and often under inclement weather conditions carrying backpacks and field gear. This position requires the use of motorized and non-motorized watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, and small motorized boats. The intern will be required to work with other biologists, law enforcement officers, interns and/or volunteers at times. Interns would work directly with FWP biologists and other FWP staff as well as partners like the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana Loon Society.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in a college or university.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work well independently as well as with a partner or team.
• 1-2 years of education in biology, wildlife biology, ornithology, fisheries, resource management, or related fields.
• Ability to lift 35-50 lbs.
• Intern will need to carry a canoe and loon signs for up to 1/4-mile to some boat launches.
• Ability to carry 20-40 lbs. in a backpack for up to 6 miles in a day in mountainous terrain.
• It is particularly important that the intern has a high level of awareness and can conduct themselves safely in the outdoors.
• Must be able to represent the agency in a professional manner while working with landowners and the public.
• Interns need to have a cell phone available for use.
• Interns will need to keep in close contact with multiple agencies and organizations or individuals depending on their location and assignments.
• Interns from out-of-state may be required to obtain a Montana driver’s license after 90 days.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to use 4-wheel drive vehicles and watercraft (canoes or kayaks and motorized boats) to access lakes.
• Familiarity with the use of binoculars and high-powered spotting scopes to identify birds and color band combinations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct common loon surveys
• Deploy and collect floating signs
• Monitor loons for leg bands
• Interact with the public on topics of loon conservation
• Keep daily log of activities
• Give campground or other presentations if requested
• Prepare a final loon nesting summary report at the end of the summer
• Present findings at the Montana Loon Working Group summer meeting in late July
• Assist in the entry of the loon data into the statewide loon database and other species observations into other databases as appropriate
• Assist other wildlife biologists with their work as needed
• Nest monitoring
• Careful observations to read leg bands
• Loon capture and banding
• Floating sign deployment
• Trail camera use
• Beaver activity surveys
• Collection of genetic samples

Benefits

• Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance.
• Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays.
• This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed