THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Please submit a State of Montana Employment Application to be considered for this position. This position will remain open until filled. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. A short-term worker is hired to work 90 days or less in a 12-month period and is in a position that does not recur each year.

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.

Flathead Lake State Park consists of six unique park units located around Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The park units on the east side are Wayfarers, Yellow Bay, and Finley Point, and the west side units are West Shore, Big Arm, and Wild Horse Island. In addition to boating, swimming, and fishing, each park unit offers unique experiences including camping, rental picnic shelters, group camping, hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Positions are open at the Big Arm (3) and Finley Point (2) and (1) at Wayfarers Units of Flathead Lake State Park. There are two types of positions open: Recreation Technician and Entrance Station Technician. The Entrance Station Technician is only available at Big Arm (one full-time position).The remainder of the positions are Recreation Technician positions.

Recreation Technician

Recreation Technician positions for the Units of Flathead Lake State Park work 30 hours one week and 40 hours the next week, totaling 70 hours per pay period. There are two work shifts in each park unit: one is Sunday thru Tuesday and every other Saturday, and the second shift is Wednesday thru Friday and every other Saturday. Daily shifts are typically 10 hours per day; 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break. There may be instances where the schedule allows for 80 hours per pay period.

Physical labor is required for the Recreation Technician position. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and perform moderate physical activity for extended periods and strenuous activity for short periods. The majority of work is performed in an outside park environment, possibly in adverse weather conditions. The position may require some travel outside the park property primarily for training purposes. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays.

This position requires an effective working knowledge of a wide variety of skills, including facility and janitorial maintenance, grounds maintenance, grounds equipment operation and light maintenance, good customer service skills, problem-solving, accounting, computer operation using specialized reservation program software and email, first aid / CPR / AED. CPR/AED and First Aid by date of employment is highly preferred. Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions. Must organize tasks efficiently, establish positive working relationships with co-workers and management, work well with the public, and be able to communicate effectively. Must have the ability to understand and effectively explain Park, Parks Division, and Department policies and regulations to the public. Must be able to effectively deal with angry or verbally abusive individuals who are dissatisfied with FWP policies and actions. Ability to use tact, courtesy, poise, alertness, and good judgment in public contact. Must possess a working knowledge, including site location and available recreational opportunities for public recreational sites in the surrounding area. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Entrance Station Technician

Position is available at Flathead Lake State Park unit: Big Arm(1) (one full-time position).Positions begin in mid-May and end early-September.

Entrance Station Technicians work eight-hour shifts from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break. The full-time position at the Big Arm will work Friday thru Tuesday.

Must be able to stand for long periods of time and occasionally lift up to 30 lbs. The majority of work is performed in a small building; however, interaction with members of the public occurs through an open window or by standing outside the building. The position may require some travel outside the park property primarily for training purposes. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays.

This position requires an effective working knowledge of a wide variety of skills, including good customer service skills, problem-solving, accounting, computer operation using specialized reservation program software, and first aid / CPR / AED. CPR/AED and First Aid by date of employment is highly preferred. Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions. Must organize tasks efficiently, establish positive working relationships with co-workers and management, work well with the public, and be able to communicate effectively. Must have the ability to understand and effectively explain Park, Division, and Department policies and regulations to the public. Must be able to effectively deal with angry or verbally abusive individuals who are dissatisfied with FWP policies and actions. Ability to use tact, courtesy, poise, alertness, and good judgment in public contacts. Must possess a working knowledge, including site location and available recreational opportunities for public recreational sites in the surrounding area.

Job Duties (narrative summary):

Recreation Technician

This position is responsible for good customer service, grounds keeping, cleaning of park facilities, fee collection, and campground reservation system operations. Performs grounds maintenance activities to provide a safe and visually pleasing landscape, including mowing, trimming, irrigation, and general care of park grounds. Removes, transports, and properly disposes of trash and debris from campsites, buildings, and park grounds. Inspect and clean toilet facilities multiple times per day. Performs recreation fee collection and campground reservation system operations. Closes and balances cash drawer daily when the entrance station is not staffed by another staff member. Contact visitors to provide park and tourist information, and fee payment procedures, and encourage positive use of park facilities following guidelines defined in Montana State Park’s "Seasonal Employee Handbook." Conduct periodic campground rounds. Staff’s entrance station when assigned. Provide good customer service including answering questions and providing information on park rules and regulations to visitors. Provide emergency assistance and/or medical aid to the level of training. Monitor and assist with traffic control and parking on high-use days. Works effectively as part of a team with other staff, volunteers, and park rangers. Opportunities to gain training in trail management, noxious weed management, interpretation, and other visitor services.

Entrance Station Technician

This position is responsible for customer service in-person and via the phone, cleanliness of the entrance station and the surrounding area, fee collection, and campground reservation system operations. Maintain the exterior of the entrance station and adjacent area to ensure it is safe and visually pleasing, including litter pick-up, maintaining flower planters, and hand pulling weeds as needed. Maintains a clean and organized entrance station. Performs recreation fee collection and campground reservation system operations. Closes and balances cash drawer daily. Creates a bank deposit twice per week (does not transport money). Contact visitors to provide park and tourist information, and fee payment procedures, and encourage positive use of park facilities following guidelines defined in Montana State Park’s "Seasonal Employee Handbook." Provide good customer service including answering questions and providing information on park rules and regulations to visitors. Provide emergency assistance and/or medical aid to the level of training. Monitor and assist with traffic in the inbound lane on busy days when traffic is limited in the park. Works effectively as part of a team with other staff, volunteers, and park rangers. Opportunities to gain training in trail management, noxious weed management, interpretation, and other visitor services.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

Graduation from high school or equivalent education. One year of college or vocational training experience in park and recreation management, interpretive visitor center, or closely related setting is preferred; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required at time of application: General knowledge of basic customer service and safe work habits Ability to: educate and inform visitors on compliance with rules and regulations and State laws; collect fees and make change; sell merchandise and account for monies collected; read, maintain, and prepare records and reports; and assist visitors in emergency situations. Daily interaction with site visitors requires effective communication and public relations skills.