Job Description - Planner 2 - Northwestern Land Office Area Planner (26141487)
Position Title:
Planner 2 - Northwestern Land Office Area Planner - (26141487)
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation''s mission is to help ensure that Montana''s land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.
Core Values:
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana's forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.
Job Overview: The Area Planner position is responsible for providing professional land use planning and real estate support for the Northwestern Land Office within the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. This position manages Area‑level planning activities, evaluates development opportunities, and assists in determining the highest and best use of state trust lands to support long‑term revenue generation for public school trust beneficiaries. Duties include developing and implementing land use plans, coordinating the application of local land‑use regulations, supporting land sale and exchange processes, and conducting planning and technical analyses related to growth policies, subdivision review, site design, surveying, zoning, floodplain management, and infrastructure planning. The position works collaboratively with Unit offices to ensure consistent application of statewide planning and real estate policies and provides technical guidance to local governments, professionals, and stakeholders involved in land use and development. The Area Planner operates with a high level of independence, exercises sound professional judgment, and collaborates effectively with interdisciplinary teams, local jurisdictions, and members of the public.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
Land Use Planning & Real Estate Program Oversight, Coordination and Technical Assistance:
This position manages and administers the land-use-planning program for the Northwestern Land Office, serves as the Area''s principal land use planner, and coordinates real estate management programs for the NWLO. The position coordinates land management planning projects and activities, oversees complex issues related to project development and lease administration, provides guidance and technical expertise in implementing land use and development plans, and advises Area and Unit staff on Department real estate and special use programs. The Area planner coordinates new project opportunities between unit offices, analyzes and incorporates complex issues and factors in decision-making, provides Area-level budget allocations, oversight and tracking, conducts specialized research, obtains funding sources for projects, leads and directs interdisciplinary teams, coordinates communication efforts between field staff, Bureau personnel and other agency staff, prioritizes projects, implements Bureau-level-planning program objectives and policies, resolves land use conflicts and responds to controversial issues, and researches and coordinates Area training activities and programs related to land use planning and real estate management principles.
Land Use Planning Project Management:
The position implements land development projects and performs a variety of project management duties including reviewing and analyzing development proposals, ensures compliance with local ordinances and regulations, develops reports and outlines proposed land use planning strategies, presents and defends proposals and recommendations on complex issues, responds to requests for information and interpretation of policies and laws, and implements development plans for high value industrial, commercial and residential properties to maximize the long-term value of State school trust lands.
APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:
HELPFUL HINT: You must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.
Benefits:
Physical and Environmental Demands:
The work is conducted primarily in a normal office environment and in the field. Field work may require exposure to extreme and inclement weather conditions, and walking in remote, steep and mountainous terrain to complete site inspections, develop plans, monitor progress, and coordinate projects with others. Travel will be required to conduct field activities and attend meetings. Field duties may require use of 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATV''s.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The position requires extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of land management and land use planning; knowledge of field inventory and data management including statistical evaluation; research methods and research design; local, state, and federal land use planning rules, laws, procedures and processes. Also required is knowledge of business administration, public relations, real estate marketing, and realty and access principles; resource economics, contract administration and the MEPA process; governmental accounting and budgeting, accounting and financial management; administrative rule and legislative development processes; and policies, procedures and objectives of the Real Estate Management Bureau and the Trust Land Management Division. The position also requires knowledge of organizational structures, program management, program development and implementation, and project management and project design.
The position requires skill in program planning and administration, leading and motivating others, organizing, negotiating, mediating, and effectively communicating verbally and in writing with audiences of varied levels of technical understanding. Also required is skill in project initiation, review, and implementation, lease administration, project management, public presentations, media relations, and persuasive communications. The position also requires skill in the use of specialized accounting and information management software (e.g. TLMS, etc.); word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and other office software; and standard office equipment. This position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
The position requires the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, groups and representatives from other organizations both verbally and in writing; to coordinate and direct individuals and physical resources to complete work objectives; work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others, and to maintain a positive working environment and relationships.
The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor''s or master''s degree in land use planning (with emphasis in urban or regional planning), marketing or business administration, or closely related field, and 4-5 years of progressively responsible experience in planning, program management, and contract and/or lease administration.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver''s license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK:
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"
Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.
Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.
Salary: $
36.11 - 36.11 Hourly
Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan
Number of Openings
: 1 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time
Job Type
: Standard
Shift
: Day Job
Travel
: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Primary Location
: Kalispell
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 - None
Posting Date
: Jun 5, 2026, 12:43:44 AM
Closing Date (based on your computer''s timezone)
: Jul 5, 2026, 11:29:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References
Contact Name: Stacey Gabrio | Contact Email: stacey.gabrio@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 4064443309 The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency''s HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.