Regional Information and Education Program Manager

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Please remember to attach the required documents (Resume and Cover Letter) listed in this announcement. 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. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on July 15, 2018. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

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.

This is one of the most dynamic and engaging communication careers in Montana. As a member of the FWP communication and education division in southwest Montana, the communication and education program manager will have the privilege of telling the FWP story to a public that is keenly interested in the outdoors. The range of topics is broad – grizzly bears to bison, native cutthroat trout to waterfowl and a wide assortment of outdoor recreation.

The person who is selected for this career will be an expert in a range of communication skills, including video, social media, digital and traditional media outlets. When presented with a challenging communication issue, they will quickly identify the critical components of developing an effective and integrated communication plan.

On the education side of things, this person must be outgoing, professional, organized and motivated. Ideally, they’ll have experience developing and implementing education programs and coordinating volunteer efforts.

Meeting facilitations skills are beneficial. Travel and evening hours required for public meetings.

Bozeman has a busy media market. The city is the fastest growing municipality in Montana. Residents move to Bozeman from all over the country to participate in outdoor recreation. There is great local interest in outdoor recreation issues. Bozeman is close to many public lands, including Yellowstone National Park, National Forests and BLM lands. There are two popular ski areas within an hour drive, making the area a year-round destination for tourists and recreationalists.

Job Duties:
This person will lead the communication efforts for FWP in southwest Montana. This includes proactively identifying communication opportunities and issues, engaging the public and statewide journalists on the work FWP does in managing the diverse outdoor resources in the region, and developing integrated communication plans in concert with divisional, regional and statewide staff. Additionally, this person is the lead education program manager for the region. They will manage all hunter and angler education opportunities, programs and volunteers.

Internally, this person plays the leading role in keeping regional employees informed of issues, policies, actions and decisions affecting them and the public they have contact with. As a member of regional management team, assists in issues management by identifying controversial issues or those of special concern to the public and develops strategies to get information to those interested to allow informed input.



Qualifications:


Knowledge. Thorough knowledge of: 1) public relations tools and techniques; i.e., media operations; 2) print, radio and television journalism; 3) agency organization, programs, policies and procedures; 4) state fish, wildlife and parks issues, rules and regulations; 5) regional, statewide and national natural resource politics; 6) special interest groups; 7) recreational resources and 8) principles of marketing, including public information planning. Considerable knowledge of: 1) principles and practices of fish and wildlife management and 2) organization, policies and operations, of federal natural resource agencies and private groups with ties or interests in hunting, fishing, recreation, conservation and land preservation.

Working knowledge of standard State administrative procedures and practices, state budgeting rules and procedures, as required.

Skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills are required for success. Operational skills in the use of computer hardware and software, PowerPoint, slide projectors, film and digital cameras. Considerable skill in writing and speaking the English language, long and short term planning.

Abilities. Considerable ability to effectively communicate ideas in an understandable and practical fashion, technical biological information and positions in both oral and written form. To explain the principles of fish and wildlife management to audiences of varied ages and backgrounds. To establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, the media and the public. To foster public understanding of department programs. To be able to assess, interpret, summarize and report public opinion. Represent the department on various policy issues and act as a liaison to other agencies and the public. Effectively facilitate working groups and committees. Conflict resolution.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in communications and/or education and course work in fish and wildlife biology, parks operations and management and at least 3 years of job-related experience. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Supplemental Questions:

1. What experience do you have working in a team setting as a public information specialist, building working relationships with various news media, and administering social media sites?

2. Describe your experience designing and presenting conservation education programs to students, conservation groups, hunters and anglers.

3. Design a one-page communication plan pertaining to an issue FWP is facing today OR develop a simple education plan for education millennials on the value of non-game species to our state.



Eligible Training Assignment:

36.67