This position is located in Missoula, Montana, a city in western Montana with about 80,000 people city and 120,000 people in the county.  Missoula is home to the University of Montana, Missoula Children's theater, several environmental organizations, and is a source of retail and professional services for the region.  It is in a valley surrounded by mountains that has the confluence of three major river systems, the Clark Fork River, Blackfoot River, and Bitterroot River.  Missoula is about an hour from Flathead Lake and the Clearwater Chain-of-Lakes.  Fishing and boating are popular on these waters.  Surrounding land has abundant public open space on City and County lands near urban areas to more dispersed but accessible USFS lands including the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness Areas.  These lands provide extensive outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, hunting, skiing, and biking. 

Job Duties:

Primary job duties include survey and inventory of fisheries and habitat, fish stocking and harvest regulation recommendations, protecting habitat through river and stream project review and permitting, and pursuing aquatic habitat enhancement opportunities. Fisheries are mostly coldwater trout fisheries.  Northern pike and smallmouth bass are invasive, nuisance species in this area but do provide angling opportunity.  Native trout include westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout, and their conservation is a management emphasis.  The position's responsibility area includes the Clark Fork River between the confluences of Rock Creek and the Flathead River including its tributaries and valley bottom and high mountain lakes.  Major tributaries include Rattlesnake Creek, Ninemile Creek, Fish Creek, and St. Regis River.  Other waters may be included depending on Regional workload. Typical sampling includes boat and backpack electrofishing, gill netting, and genetic sampling and assessments.  Ability to learn, critically evaluate, and adopt new information is crucial.  In addition to knowledge of fish biology and management, stream permitting and habitat enhancement projects require a working knowledge of hydrology and the ability to evaluate engineering designs as well as to responsibly and fairly administer laws.  Lands are predominantly forested mountains managed by state and federal government, and private agricultural hay and cattle operations.  Urban expansion is challenging fishery resources and gets significant attention.  Missoula has several non-governmental organizations that are active in managing aquatic resources.  Effective private landowner, inter-agency, and conservation group collaboration is essential.