Wildlife Habitat Plant Intern

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

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

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• References

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 March 22, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

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 intern position requires a broad set of skills and abilities; however, essential skill sets required for this position are a strong desire to learn, adaptability, and completing tasks reliably. In addition, a strong, resilient nature is recommended for this intern position.

Long workdays are common (1 0+ hours of field work). In addition, field work is often physically demanding. Applicants should expect 3 to 1 0+ miles of hiking daily with a 20-lb backpack. Durable hiking boots and water footwear are necessary. Weather conditions will likely vary from 30 - 95°F that may also include varying levels of wind and/or rain/snow conditions. In addition, many evenings will end with camping at a base camp.

This internship is available for college students completing degrees in wildlife habitat ecology and management, rangeland ecology and management, or similar field of study. A strong background in plant identification, photo monitoring, data management/organization, wildlife habitat ecology and management, and rangeland/riparian monitoring techniques are desired. Training will be provided as needed and work tasks will be set to reasonable levels of the intern's abilities.

Specific Job Information:

This intern position will assist with wildlife habitat monitoring on rangelands, riparian/wetland areas, and forested habitat types throughout Montana. The intern will be based in Dillon, MT. The position's work will focus primarily on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA; n = 70 and ~ 450,000 acres in total) that are administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP). This intern position will work directly with the MFWP Plant Ecologist to complete habitat monitoring and evaluate and/or prescribe habitat treatments (e.g., fire, grazing, conifer thinning, etc.) for wildlife habitat. Habitat monitoring will use nationally recognized monitoring techniques to measure plant abundances at the species level and ecological health conditions.

This intern position will be expected to travel extensively throughout MT (travel will be provided by MFWP) for the duration of the summer. Most work weeks will require 2 - 4 days of camping in rural areas. Some WMAs do have cabins available for these overnight trips, and a travel trailer may be provided for other trips, but tent camping may be necessary. Most of the habitat monitoring will focus within upland habitats, but riparian and wetland habitat monitoring will occur. Interns will also work with wildlife biologists and habitat biologists based throughout MT that manage WMAs. This position will allow for opportunities to learn directly from wildlife professionals and pursue a future career with FWP or other natural resource agencies.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Must be currently enrolled in a college or university. This internship is available for college students completing degrees in wildlife habitat ecology and management, rangeland ecology and management, or similar field of study.