Recreation Ranger

State of Montana • Billings, MT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL. Please remember to attach the required documents Cover Letter, Resume and References listed in this announcement. 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 1, 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. This Recreational Ranger position will primarily be at Lake Elmo State Park with some responsibilities for other select FWP sites that includes fishing access sites and a wildlife management area. This position runs from approximately April to October as a seasonal permanent position set at 0.5 FTE. It is based at the FWP Region 5 headquarters adjacent to Lake Elmo State Park. Lake Elmo State Park is 123 acres in size, the lake covers approximately half of the area. The park has a designated 1.4 mile trail, playground, two pavilions, and multiple water accesses. The park receives over 170,000 visitors per year, offers great recreational opportunities including hiking, swimming, boating, bird watching, and fishing. The fishing access sites, and wildlife management areas offer opportunity for boating, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, hiking, as well as many other recreational activities. Lake Elmo State Park is in Billings Montana. Billings is the biggest city in Montana and enjoys an eclectic music and arts scene, access to national forests and other public lands within an hour's drive, and a robust collection of clubs and activities for every interest. Known as Montana's Trailhead, Billings offers everything from breweries to the Bighorn Canyon. It has a small town feel with the attractions a of big city. The Recreation Ranger position is a lead staffer within the Lake Elmo geographic unit of FWPs Region 5 which includes State Parks, Fishing Access Sites, Wildlife Management Areas, and river corridors. The Recreation Ranger assists the unit’s Recreation Manager in providing management for administration, operation, recreation, visitor use, and natural, cultural, and historical resources. This position provides essential services and addresses tasks as they arise, such as visitor contacts, rule compliance, fee collection and remittance, interpretation and education, and other duties as assigned. Additionally, the Recreation Ranger will perform light maintenance duties. The Ranger is supervised by the Recreation Manager and provides direction for other staff and volunteers. In the absence of the Recreation Manager, the incumbent may be assigned acting Recreation Manager responsibilities. A Ranger may be assigned to multiple geographic units or be called upon to assist with, collaborate on, or share operational functions of another of another geographic unit as circumstances require. Applicants should have a background in natural resources, recreation, and recreation management. They will need to be knowledgeable of, or willing to learn, the laws, policies, and regulations under which the agency operates and site rules. Rangers are expected to negotiate, explain, and diffuse conflict among parties with differing views and visitors frustrated with department/site rules and policy. They must behave ethically and appropriately when serving visitors.

Requirements

• Applicants should have a background in natural resources, recreation, and recreation management.
• They will need to be knowledgeable of, or willing to learn, the laws, policies, and regulations under which the agency operates and site rules.
• Rangers are expected to negotiate, explain, and diffuse conflict among parties with differing views and visitors frustrated with department/site rules and policy.
• They must behave ethically and appropriately when serving visitors.
• Must have a current driver’s license.
• Must pass a background check.
• Must serve the public in a professional manner.
• Must maintain emotional control and maturity.
• Ability to assist the public independently.
• Must have solid foundation in natural resources, park, and outdoor recreation management principles.
• Incumbent must have the ability to speak and present in public forums and to write effectively.
• Incumbent must have the ability to work with others, collectively pursuing a common goal regardless of personal preferences.
• Incumbent must have basic computer skills.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in a wide range of temperatures and weather.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• A willingness to frequently travel between sites in the responsibility area within the region.
• Occasional travel outside of the region may occur.
• A willingness to work odd hours, weekends, and holidays
• The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in park and or recreation management, archeology, geology, or related fields.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Assists the unit’s Recreation Manager in providing management for administration, operation, recreation, visitor use, and natural, cultural, and historical resources.
• Provides essential services and addresses tasks as they arise, such as visitor contacts, rule compliance, fee collection and remittance, interpretation and education, and other duties as assigned.
• Performs light maintenance duties.
• Provides direction for other staff and volunteers.
• May be assigned acting Recreation Manager responsibilities in the absence of the Recreation Manager.
• May be assigned to multiple geographic units or be called upon to assist with, collaborate on, or share operational functions of another of another geographic unit as circumstances require.

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

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level