/THE/*/*OUTSIDE*/*/IS IN US ALL./ Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter Reference 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 October 21, 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:* This position is a leadership opportunity at the intersection of fisheries, wildlife, and recreation research and management in Montana, which has exceptional resources and a strong commitment to and history of science-based resource management. The FWP Research Unit includes three focal areas: 1) research staff conducting applied research, 2) decision support staff with technical expertise related to biometrics, disease ecology, and human dimensions, and 3) genetics staff. This position supervises staff under the research focal area and reports to the Research Unit Administrator. The incumbent will oversee the identification, prioritization, support, and coordination of applied research for FWP. The position will work closely with research unit staff and wildlife, fisheries, and recreation management staff across the agency to develop applied research questions, ensure scientific investigations that address specific management needs are co-produced, and ensure that research findings, products, and tools are directly and seamlessly integrated into management programs that ultimately steward our resources to serve and benefit our public. The position requires exceptional leadership and coordination skills to guide staff toward innovative research, cross-disciplinary partnerships, and advancement of FWP management programs. The position will supervise a respected and motivated team of research scientists who themselves are excellent leaders and coordinators. This position also involves working closely with university faculty and leadership, as well as FWP wildlife, fisheries and recreation managers, to ensure integration of collaborative FWP-university research programs with FWP management programs. This position is part of a larger Research Unit team that is highly skilled, productive and collectively committed to integrating science with management to increase rigor and innovation in service of the agency mission and the Montana public. Experience with, and commitment to, fostering productive team dynamics is required. Success in this position involves a combination of interpersonal, leadership, supervisory, time management, budgeting, field work, research design, analysis, presentation, and writing skills. This is a statewide position that will require travel and extended stays across Montana to foster communication and collaboration and to participate in ongoing projects away from the base office in Helena. *Job Duties:* • Coordinate the delivery of the statewide research program with a focus on addressing management issues identified by Fish, Wildlife, and Parks & Outdoor Recreation Division staff and integrating results and findings directly into management programs to advance the agency mission. • Work as a team member in the Research Unit and assist the Research Administrator in all aspects of program administration and delivery, team cohesion and team building, and special assignments. • Supervise and lead the research staff (6 direct reports/14 total staff) in the Research Unit with a focus on developing high-performance teams through strategic collaboration, mentorship, and effective communication to advance applied research objectives and scientific innovation. Direct reports include fish & wildlife research biologists and the fisheries research coordinator. • Oversee the business functions for FWP research projects, including managing research grants, contracts, and budgets with a focus on fiscal accountability, deadlines, and products. *Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:* Strong inter-personal skills, including leadership (authoritative and non-authoritative), facilitation, and coordination skills, are required. Demonstrated success and desire to work closely with wildlife, fisheries and recreation managers to develop applied research questions and co-produce scientific investigations is a prerequisite. Must have demonstrated experience with supervision, budget development and project implementation. Skills in technical report and manuscript preparation and editing are required. A strong working knowledge of appropriate sampling, statistical and analytical procedures used in fish management, wildlife management, recreation management, social science, and research study design is essential to the position. Knowledge and experience with decision analysis concepts and experience providing decision support is preferred. A general understanding of significant fish and wildlife disease issues and the potential impacts on natural resource management decisions is important. *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 of Science degree in Fish, Wildlife, or Recreation Management or a closely related field, including the completion of a field research study, a written thesis, and at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in fish, wildlife, or recreation management or a related field that includes budget management and supervision. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. **Title:** *Research Bureau Chief* **Location:** *Helena* **Requisition ID:** *25142204*