Program Supervisor - Stewardship Program Manager

State of Montana • Missoula, MT

6d

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 to help Unit Managers and Service Foresters deliver landowner assistance across Montana. The manager develops program standards and tools, identifies and administers funding opportunities, maintains federal compliance, and coordinates with USFS State, Private and Tribal Forestry Program Managers. Unit Managers and Service Foresters retain local relationships and day-to-day line officer authority.

The position 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 tied to Montana’s federal funding allocation through the USFS Consolidated Grant Program. It administers state and federal grant programs—including Landscape Scale Restoration, Western States Wildland Urban Interface, Hazardous Fuels, and Montana Forest Action Plan Implementation—totaling approximately $3–7 million annually.

The manager cultivates relationships with Forestry and Trust Land Division staff and prospective partners to increase sustainable forest management on private lands and reduce severe wildfire risk to Montana communities. The role represents the agency at meetings and conferences, coordinates special projects, supports legislative preparation, and participates in training or continuing education as required. It recruits, manages, and evaluates program personnel totaling 5.0 FTE, as well as temporary or contracted employees as needed. The position 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 principal 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, insect 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.
• Competency 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 and fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Responsibilities

• Develop program guidance, standards, procedures, tools, and training that translate state and federal requirements into consistent services for private landowners.
• Advance statewide forest stewardship priorities by working with field staff and partners to identify needs, connect local projects with funding and technical resources, and support 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 $3–7 million annually in state and federal grants, oversee competitive funding and subaward processes, monitor project performance, and ensure funds are used effectively and in compliance with requirements.
• Coordinate accomplishment reporting, geospatial data, stewardship plan monitoring, and civil rights compliance; use program results to identify improvements, inform priorities, and guide staff training.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate program staff; establish work priorities, identify training needs, and manage contracts and deliverables.
• Coordinate the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee, participate in statewide and regional partnerships, and collaborate on outreach highlighting available services and landowner success stories.
• Serve as the state's primary liaison to federal program staff and coordinate with USFS State, Private and Tribal Forestry Program Managers.
• Represent the agency at meetings and conferences, coordinate and direct special projects, and work with leadership to prepare for legislative assemblies and audiences.
• Travel to field and work sites and attend training or continuing education as required.

Benefits

• Work/life balance.
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, with vacation leave increasing with service.
• Longevity pay with continued state service.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus 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, professional development, and state employee discounts.
• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager