Program Supervisor - Stewardship Program Manager

State of Montana•Missoula, MT

About The Position

The Stewardship Program Manager serves as Montana’s coordinator for the Forest Stewardship Program and related Rural Forestry Assistance and conservation education programs. The position provides statewide program guidance, technical expertise, and administrative support so Unit Managers and Service Foresters can deliver high-quality landowner assistance. It develops standards and tools, identifies and administers funding opportunities, maintains federal compliance, and coordinates with USFS State, Private and Tribal Forestry Program Managers. Local relationships and day-to-day program delivery remain the responsibility of Unit Managers and Service Foresters. The manager is the state’s primary liaison to federal program staff, supports the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee, and oversees annual reporting, monitoring, and geospatial obligations that affect Montana’s federal funding through the USFS Consolidated Grant Program. The position administers state and federal grant programs totaling approximately $3–7 million annually, including Landscape Scale Restoration, Western States Wildland Urban Interface, Hazardous Fuels, and Montana Forest Action Plan Implementation. The role cultivates relationships with DNRC Forestry and Trust Land Division staff and prospective partners to increase sustainable forest management on private forest lands and reduce severe wildfire risk to Montana communities. It represents the agency at meetings and conferences, coordinates special projects, works with leadership on legislative preparation, and attends required training or continuing education. The position recruits, directly manages, and evaluates program personnel totaling 5.0 FTE, as well as temporary or contracted employees as needed. It reports to the Forestry Assistance Bureau Chief.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related natural resources field.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources or a related field.
Knowledge of active forest management, forest stewardship planning, and field competencies relevant to advising and training Service Foresters.
Knowledge of laws relating to USDA Forest Service State, Private and Tribal Forestry programs and Montana natural resource issues, particularly forest management, wildland fire, fire-adapted communities, forest health, insects and disease management, and water quality.
Knowledge of civil rights obligations applicable to federally funded programs.
Written and verbal communication skills.
Public education and outreach skills.
GIS and spatial data management technology skills, including experience with USFS SMARTar and SMART mapping tools or equivalent reporting processes.
Ability to work collaboratively with field staff who have line authority.
Ability to speak confidently to a variety of audiences.
Competence in long-term strategic planning, geospatial data management, accomplishment monitoring, and federal grant compliance.
Ability to travel to field and work sites.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.
Valid driver’s license required, with fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Responsibilities

Develop program guidance, standards, procedures, tools, and training based on state and federal requirements.
Advance statewide forest stewardship priorities by collaborating with field staff and partners, connecting locally identified projects with funding and technical resources, and supporting implementation of the Montana Forest Action Plan.
Build partnerships with agencies, tribes, universities, conservation organizations, and landowner groups to expand assistance, coordinate services, and support resilient forests and fire-adapted communities.
Administer approximately $3–7 million annually in state and federal grants, including competitive funding and subaward processes; monitor project performance and ensure compliance.
Coordinate accomplishment reporting, geospatial data, stewardship plan monitoring, and civil rights compliance; use results to identify improvements and inform priorities and staff training.
Supervise and develop program staff, establish work priorities, evaluate performance, identify training needs, and manage contracts and deliverables.
Coordinate the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee and participate in statewide and regional partnerships.
Collaborate on outreach highlighting available services and landowner success stories.
Represent the agency at meetings and conferences, coordinate and direct special projects, and work with leadership to prepare for legislative assemblies and audiences.
Serve as Montana’s primary liaison to federal program staff and coordinate with USFS State, Private and Tribal Forestry Program Managers.
Attend training and continuing education as required.

Benefits

Work/life balance.
Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; vacation leave increases with service.
Longevity pay with continued state service.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans, plus an optional 457(b) plan.
May qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Career progression and professional development.
State employee discounts.
Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.