Parks, Trails and Recreation Specialist

Definition

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for this position is $27.1931 - $30.7665 per hour, DOE.

The Lands, Culture and Recreation Department is seeking a PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION SPECIALIST to join their team. This position performs work to develop, maintain, repair and fund structures and grounds on countywide parks, trails, conservation and other county lands for the Parks, Trails and Recreation Division of the Lands, Culture and Recreation Department.

Details: We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025. It is in your best interest to apply by this date.
To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is requested or submitted.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: College transcripts (unofficial copies are accepted), a letter of interest, and a resume.
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Representative Examples of Work

Fulfills Parks, Trail and Recreation division objectives by preparing, implementing and overseeing parks, trails and conservation lands planning, acquisition and development projects. Responsible for overseeing project contracting and construction management. Works with the public, partner organizations and neighborhood communities to fund improvements and develop various funding mechanisms to implement projects, including grant writing. Makes funding recommendations. Conducts research and site investigations. Evaluates parks, trails and conservation lands project proposals. Ensures projects comply with rules, policies, and program planning documents. Provides grant program guidance, conducts program outreach and grant trainings. Administers PTOL project grant funds; disburses funds; maintains accurate records; prepares periodic financial and performance reports; ensures compliance with all applicable rules and regulations; compiles data; and monitors project and program progress. This position assists in recreation management at county parks, trails and open lands and addresses issues as they arise, such as visitor contacts, rule compliance, interpretation, and education. Provides resource stewardship in a proactive manner, providing recommendations to the Parks, Trails and Recreation manager based on observations of visitors, staff, volunteers, and the resource conditions. Monitors for unacceptable impacts to site infrastructure and natural resources, or safety issues, and assists in development and implementation of solutions. Assists with addressing and resolving visitor conflicts and complaints. Responds to general public inquiries (phone, email, socials). Assists in the collection of natural resource information and visitor use data and surveys. Attends board meetings, public meetings and community task forces to provide information and advice on project planning and development. Makes oral or written presentations. Prepares detailed comments on proposed subdivision, zoning, and other regulatory items to support the advancement of parks, trails and open lands issues. Assists with the general administration of Parks, Trails and Recreation Division such as responding to requests for service; creating and fostering partnerships; developing and monitoring partnership agreements, conducting public outreach; working toward resolution of conflicts; and participating in strategic planning and prioritization of work schedules. Coordinates with GIS personnel to develop maps and other supporting information. Retrieves data in the form of reports using GIS and database programming capabilities; provides maintenance of the current databases.Maintains familiarity with system-wide structures, facilities and grounds and reports any maintenance issues or unsafe conditions to the Parks, Trails and Recreation manager. Performs light-duty preventative maintenance and repairs on various systems as needed. Assists in maintaining rental facilities, including purchasing and stocking facility supplies, cleaning event space, and assessing damage for release of rental deposits. Acts as team leader on specific projects. Serves as a resource to other staff on specific issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree. Degrees best suited for this position include recreation management, construction/project management, planning, urban studies, environmental science, and geography.
• Requires three years of community planning, project management, and/or parks, trails, and natural resource management experience.
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires a valid MT Driver's license.

Physical/Environmental Demands

The work requires the ability to walk over rough, uneven terrain and travel to remote work sites and meetings. Frequent field work will be required, in addition to working in an office setting, using a computer keyboard. May require occasional light lifting (up to 20 lbs). May require attending meetings before or after normal work hours. Requires performing work out of doors in inclement weather on uneven terrain, including during the winter season. Involves moderate risks from working around moving parts or machines or trips and falls. During the recreation season (May-October), a schedule for this position is anticipated to include some weekends, partial weekends, and occasional work on evenings and holidays as necessary to support events and activities. May require serving in an on-call capacity that requires carrying a cell phone.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!
Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.
Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Missoula County will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

Excellent Medical Health Benefits– Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $258.00 per pay period.

Medical deductible is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.

Flexible Benefits Plan– Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.

Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage, Long and Short-Term Disability, Critical and Accident Insuranceare offered through Mutual ofOmaha.

Public Employees Retirement System– Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.

Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)– A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Working for Missoula County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Supplemental Retirement Benefitsare offered through Valic or Nationwide.

Sick Leave– Full-time employees accrue 7.38hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once you have been an employee for 90 days.The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Vacation Leave– Full-time employees accrue 9.24 hours per month and are eligible to use leave after continuous employment for a period of 6 full months. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays– The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)-In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Missoula County 6 continuous weeks of PPL to eligible full-time employees that have been with the county for 180 days. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.

Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Missoula County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 3/28/2025 5:00 PM Mountain

• 

• Missoula County

• 406-258-3293

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