Recreation Ranger

State of Montana•Billings, MT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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.
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

Assist the unit’s Recreation Manager in providing management for administration, operation, recreation, visitor use, and natural, cultural, and historical resources.
Provide 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.
Perform light maintenance duties.
Provide direction for other staff and volunteers.
Assigned acting Recreation Manager responsibilities in the absence of the Recreation Manager.
Negotiate, explain, and diffuse conflict among parties with differing views and visitors frustrated with department/site rules and policy.