THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

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 May 22^nd, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Contact Shelby.hughes@mt.gov to request the full position description.

Special Information:

This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1, 2026.

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.

Specific Job Information:

The Law Enforcement Division helps fulfill FWP’s mandate to protect and wisely manage Montana’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of the public. It enforces relevant laws and rules, delivers safety and education programs, and supports conservation along with Montana’s hunting, fishing, trapping, and outdoor recreation heritage through consistent, statewide enforcement.

Job Overview:

The Chief of Law Enforcement is an executive-level position responsible for leading FWP’s statewide conservation law enforcement program, including policy development, program planning, budgeting, and internal and external communication. The Chief oversees all aspects of division administration and operations and regularly represents the division before the Director, executive team, Legislature, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Parks Board, and other partners.

Executive Leadership

• Serves on the Department’s Management Team to set strategic vision, mission, and goals; leads division planning and priority setting (legislative, capital, and program initiatives), and drives organizational alignment, performance measures, and continuous improvement.
• Represents the division and Department before the Commission, Legislature, and public by delivering testimony and presentations on conservation law enforcement priorities, issues, and outcomes.

Enforcement Operations

• Directs statewide law enforcement operations and division resources, including strategic planning, program development, budget development and monitoring, and policy implementation and evaluation, ensuring alignment with statutes, legislative intent, and department priorities.
• Leads organizational and personnel management functions, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions; monitors emerging trends, collaborates with state and national partners, and ensures consistent implementation of laws, rules, training, and policies across the division.

Leadership Profile

Looking for a Chief of Enforcement who is a strategic, collaborative leader focused on culture, relationships, and the long-term effectiveness of the division.

• Provides forward-thinking executive leadership with enforcement expertise to advocate for the division with the Director, executive team, Legislature, Commission, and other divisions, while modeling professionalism, transparency, and a service-minded attitude.
• Builds and sustains a strong division culture focused on effective hiring and retention, safety science principles, accountability, and a healthy balance between enforcement and conservation, engaging staff through clear, consistent, and honest communication.
• Leads an engaged command staff that prioritizes support for field staff, incorporates regional perspectives into statewide priorities, and consistently models unity, advocacy, collaboration, transparent and honest communication, and a service-minded attitude toward staff and the broader department.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Professional office environment with frequent high-pressure deadlines
• Regularly requires extended hours beyond 40-hour workweek, including weekends
• Significant in-state travel required
• May involve in direct law enforcement activity commensurate with independent field warden positional duties
• Capable of attending to the environmental and behavioral dangers associated with law enforcement work

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of conservation law enforcement, natural resource issues, and their impact on Montana.

• Understanding of law enforcement practices, technologies, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of personnel management, program development, workforce planning, training, and accountability.

• Build relationships, solve problems collaboratively, negotiate outcomes, and resolve disputes.

• Communicate complex or sensitive issues clearly to staff, partners, the media, and the public.

• Plan, implement, and evaluate programs aligned with agency goals and mission.

• Prepare and deliver effective briefings, presentations, and written materials.

• Make sound decisions in complex, sensitive, or controversial situations.

• Lead with professionalism, fairness, accountability, and integrity.

• See issues from a broad statewide perspective and work effectively in a decentralized environment.

• Adapt to ambiguity, share decision-making, and motivate teams toward strong performance.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, criminal justice, public administration, or related field

• 10 years of experience demonstrating progressive responsibility, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity, in conservation law enforcement, law enforcement or closely related field

The incumbent must possess and maintain Montana peace officer basic certification or possess a state peace officer certification and obtain Montana equivalency within one year and possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license. An applicant for this position must be at least 18 years of age on the date of appointment, be a United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident, be in excellent physical and mental health and must pass a physical examination, an extensive background investigation and a psychological evaluation approved by the agency.

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff 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.

The Chief of Law Enforcement is an executive-level position responsible for leading FWP’s statewide conservation law enforcement program, including policy development, program planning, budgeting, and internal and external communication. The Chief oversees all aspects of division administration and operations and regularly represents the division before the Director, executive team, Legislature, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Parks Board, and other partners. Executive Leadership. Serves on the Department’s Management Team to set strategic vision, mission, and goals; leads division planning and priority setting (legislative, capital, and program initiatives), and drives organizational alignment, performance measures, and continuous improvement. Represents the division and Department before the Commission, Legislature, and public by delivering testimony and presentations on conservation law enforcement priorities, issues, and outcomes. Enforcement Operations. Directs statewide law enforcement operations and division resources, including strategic planning, program development, budget development and monitoring, and policy implementation and evaluation, ensuring alignment with statutes, legislative intent, and department priorities. Leads organizational and personnel management functions, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions; monitors emerging trends, collaborates with state and national partners, and ensures consistent implementation of laws, rules, training, and policies across the division. Leadership Profile. Looking for a Chief of Enforcement who is a strategic, collaborative leader focused on culture, relationships, and the long-term effectiveness of the division. Provides forward-thinking executive leadership with enforcement expertise to advocate for the division with the Director, executive team, Legislature, Commission, and other divisions, while modeling professionalism, transparency, and a service-minded attitude. Builds and sustains a strong division culture focused on effective hiring and retention, safety science principles, accountability, and a healthy balance between enforcement and conservation, engaging staff through clear, consistent, and honest communication. Leads an engaged command staff that prioritizes support for field staff, incorporates regional perspectives into statewide priorities, and consistently models unity, advocacy, collaboration, transparent and honest communication, and a service-minded attitude toward staff and the broader department. Physical and Environmental Demands:Professional office environment with frequent high-pressure deadlines. Regularly requires extended hours beyond 40-hour workweek, including weekends. Significant in-state travel required. May involve in direct law enforcement activity commensurate with independent field warden positional duties. Capable of attending to the environmental and behavioral dangers associated with law enforcement work. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of conservation law enforcement, natural resource issues, and their impact on Montana. Understanding of law enforcement practices, technologies, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of personnel management, program development, workforce planning, training, and accountability. Build relationships, solve problems collaboratively, negotiate outcomes, and resolve disputes. Communicate complex or sensitive issues clearly to staff, partners, the media, and the public. Plan, implement, and evaluate programs aligned with agency goals and mission. Prepare and deliver effective briefings, presentations, and written materials. Make sound decisions in complex, sensitive, or controversial situations. Lead with professionalism, fairness, accountability, and integrity. See issues from a broad statewide perspective and work effectively in a decentralized environment. Adapt to ambiguity, share decision-making, and motivate teams toward strong performance. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, criminal justice, public administration, or related field 10 years of experience demonstrating progressive responsibility, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity, in conservation law enforcement, law enforcement or closely related field. The incumbent must possess and maintain Montana peace officer basic certification or possess a state peace officer certification and obtain Montana equivalency within one year and possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license. An applicant for this position must be at least 18 years of age on the date of appointment, be a United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident, be in excellent physical and mental health and must pass a physical examination, an extensive background investigation and a psychological evaluation approved by the agency.

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