Wildlife Conservation Geneticist

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

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 November 16, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of 2.5% an hour effective July 1, 2026.

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases 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 Wildlife Conservation Geneticist will develop, coordinate, and implement the wildlife genetics program. The wildlife genetics program at FWP will provide critical support to various activities and programs within the Wildlife Division for species conservation. The position will focus, in particular, on monitoring activities, development and implementation of policy, decision support for ongoing and future management activities, inter-agency collaboration and co-management, and development of educational programs and opportunities for FWP staff. The position is housed in the FWP Research Unit, which provides applied science and decision support to the agency. The FWP genetics program relies on a collaborative relationship with the University of Montana Fish and Wildlife Genomics Lab. The position will be based at the University of Montana, with statewide responsibilities. Success in this position involves a combination of interpersonal, supervisory, analysis, presentation, and writing skills. The ability to effectively communicate genetic results or the implications of genetic theory to non-geneticists is essential.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be experienced with genetic data analysis, as well as associated laboratory methods, techniques, and technologies.
• Must be able to interpret and clearly explain genetic analysis results. Must have the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to explain very complex subjects in a manner a lay person can understand and be willing to attend public meetings to explain genetic implications of wildlife and fish conservation issues.
• Must be proficient with computers, including word processing and database software.
• Must have exceptional organizational skills and have the ability to prioritize work across multiple complex projects.
• Demonstrable experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting results for genetic samples, and preferably relating results to fish/wildlife conservation/management issues.
• Experience with non-invasive genetic sampling (and analysis), bioinformatics, and population estimation using genetic based approaches is strongly desired.

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 Postgraduate (master’s or PhD) Degree in Genetics, Conservation Genetics, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Biology, or a related field, and at least 1 year of job-related experience. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.