Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana's forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. We value and respect each other. We create collaborative work environments. We build and maintain strong relationships. We practice accountability. We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work Job Overview: The position directs all DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands operations in the Southwestern Land Office. The position develops and implements policies and programs, manages budgets and resources, oversees staff in the Area Office and subordinate Unit Offices, and performs public and intergovernmental relations. The position reports to the State Forester/Forestry and Trust Lands Division Administrator. The annual Area budget is approximately $4.7 million. The land base is approximately 290,000 acres of State trust lands and approximately 1.9 million acres of land (multiple jurisdictions) where SWLO is responsible for direct fire protection. Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent. Program Management: Implements DNRC operations at the Area Office level by directing Trust Land Management, Forestry, and other programs at the area and unit office. Identify Area priorities and establish strategic and operational plans that are consistent with the department mission and goals by applying an understanding of Area issues and department direction. Collaborate with other Area and Unit Managers and with Division administrator and Bureau chiefs to define goals, develop implementation strategies, policies and guidelines; establish performance standards and outcomes for department programs; and to integrate Division program objectives into a comprehensive Area work plan. Develop, implement, and monitor Area programs to address specific resource issues. Ensure Area programs and services meet goals, priorities, policies, guidelines, performance standards and outcomes by collaborating with program managers and other staff. Ensure cross-functional representation in meetings and ensure interdivisional cooperation to achieve program objectives. Develop policies and rules to guide program operations and ensure compliance with applicable local, state and federal law. This includes identifying policy development or revision needs; reviewing proposals from staff; formulating policy proposals to the Administrator and Director; and ensuring area-wide implementation of new rules or policies. Direct and perform public relations, outreach, and education as the chief point of contact for the Area Office to generate support for DNRC objectives and projects, and disseminate information through the media, community groups, and other outlets. This includes planning, coordinating and delivering presentations, coordinating communication efforts with other areas and headquarters, overseeing Area information dissemination, and assessing the effectiveness of communication efforts. Staff Management: Manage the staff in the Area office and Unit Offices to achieve department objectives in compliance with personnel policy and law. Determine the organizational structure and composition of the Area Office and Unit Offices to meet program and customer needs and use available human resources in the most effective manner possible. This involves determining subordinate reporting relationships, work operations, staff assignments and workflows; and initiating adjustments to reflect changes in Area and Unit needs, department objectives, operations, and relationships with other organizational units. Establish and manage personal service budgets and staffing for Area programs at the Area and Unit level. This involves collaborating with staff, Bureau Chiefs, other Area Managers and Division Administrator to determine staffing needs, proposing budgets and FTE allocations, and devising approaches to meet program needs with available staff resources. Review staff functions and assign personnel to Area programs in accordance with overall Area goals and objectives to support individual work plans and appropriately allocate funding sources. Develop Area management policy to ensure appropriate oversight of employees and resources. Collaborate with Area and Unit program managers to establish policy and ensure uniform implementation of adopted policies throughout the Area and between Areas. Evaluate the effectiveness of policies by monitoring compliance and notifying the Division Administrator or Director's office of inconsistencies or needed policy revisions. Area Administration: Manage Area office budgets, policies, equipment, and administrative systems to effectively support program operations in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Plan and direct the Area's involvement in the Executive Planning Process and Legislative Budget request to ensure adequate funding for operations including the personal services, operations, and capital budgets. This includes determining current and anticipated funding requirements; drafting narrative justifications to support requests; resolving budget deficiencies and discrepancies; developing and presenting financial information and program documentation; and providing testimony and responses including the preparation of fiscal notes related to legislative proposals. Manage the Area budget to ensure financial operations adhere to allocations, program plans, and statutory authorities. This includes reviewing expenditures, evaluating revenues, identifying potential surpluses or deficiencies, making appropriate adjustments, and apprising leadership of budget status. Oversee cost-share, grant, partnership and other funding programs to provide funding and grants for fire management and prevention, stewardship, fuel reduction, federal engagement, and other forest and trust land management services and objectives. This includes granting funds, Supervision: The position directly supervises the following staff and indirectly manages an additional 48 FTE for a total staff size of 56 FTE. APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:? Online State of Montana application Resume Cover Letter HELPFUL HINT: You must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Benefits: Work/life balance Medical, dental, and vision coverage Retirement plans Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays Pre-tax flexible spending accounts A vibrant Employee Assistance Program State of Montana employment may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether or not you may qualify. Additional benefit package information is available here. The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff, as 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. If you are interested in a complete job description, please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov. // Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): The position requires education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, business or public administration, environmental or life science or a related field and eight (8) years progressively responsible experience including managerial experience. Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: Requires knowledge of the concepts and theories of natural resource management, public program administration, business administration, budgeting, human resource management, strategic planning, organizational systems, research and analysis, forestry, real estate management, fire science and management, environmental regulations, and public and governmental relations. Requires skills in building and maintaining positive and effective professional relationships, communicating effectively, solving problems, mediating disputes, administering multiple projects, negotiation and conflict management, the use of personal computers and business-related software, public speaking, communicating both verbally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in an effective manner, and in organizing and delivering reports. Requires the ability to formulate programs and policies; develop innovative approaches; establish and maintain credibility, confidence, tact, cooperation and responsiveness; make appropriate decisions directly affecting the life and safety of others; and to provide program leadership and coordination. SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent, completed 36 months. ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card" Title: Program Manager - Area Manager Southwestern Land Office Location: Requisition ID: 25142812
