The Chief of Law Enforcement is an executive-level position responsible for leading FWP’s statewide conservation law enforcement program, including policy development, program planning, budgeting, and internal and external communication. The Chief oversees all aspects of division administration and operations and regularly represents the division before the Director, executive team, Legislature, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Parks Board, and other partners. Executive Leadership. Serves on the Department’s Management Team to set strategic vision, mission, and goals; leads division planning and priority setting (legislative, capital, and program initiatives), and drives organizational alignment, performance measures, and continuous improvement. Represents the division and Department before the Commission, Legislature, and public by delivering testimony and presentations on conservation law enforcement priorities, issues, and outcomes. Enforcement Operations. Directs statewide law enforcement operations and division resources, including strategic planning, program development, budget development and monitoring, and policy implementation and evaluation, ensuring alignment with statutes, legislative intent, and department priorities. Leads organizational and personnel management functions, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions; monitors emerging trends, collaborates with state and national partners, and ensures consistent implementation of laws, rules, training, and policies across the division. Leadership Profile. Looking for a Chief of Enforcement who is a strategic, collaborative leader focused on culture, relationships, and the long-term effectiveness of the division. Provides forward-thinking executive leadership with enforcement expertise to advocate for the division with the Director, executive team, Legislature, Commission, and other divisions, while modeling professionalism, transparency, and a service-minded attitude. Builds and sustains a strong division culture focused on effective hiring and retention, safety science principles, accountability, and a healthy balance between enforcement and conservation, engaging staff through clear, consistent, and honest communication. Leads an engaged command staff that prioritizes support for field staff, incorporates regional perspectives into statewide priorities, and consistently models unity, advocacy, collaboration, transparent and honest communication, and a service-minded attitude toward staff and the broader department. Physical and Environmental Demands:Professional office environment with frequent high-pressure deadlines. Regularly requires extended hours beyond 40-hour workweek, including weekends. Significant in-state travel required. May involve in direct law enforcement activity commensurate with independent field warden positional duties. Capable of attending to the environmental and behavioral dangers associated with law enforcement work. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of conservation law enforcement, natural resource issues, and their impact on Montana. Understanding of law enforcement practices, technologies, statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of personnel management, program development, workforce planning, training, and accountability. Build relationships, solve problems collaboratively, negotiate outcomes, and resolve disputes. Communicate complex or sensitive issues clearly to staff, partners, the media, and the public. Plan, implement, and evaluate programs aligned with agency goals and mission. Prepare and deliver effective briefings, presentations, and written materials. Make sound decisions in complex, sensitive, or controversial situations. Lead with professionalism, fairness, accountability, and integrity. See issues from a broad statewide perspective and work effectively in a decentralized environment. Adapt to ambiguity, share decision-making, and motivate teams toward strong performance. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, criminal justice, public administration, or related field 10 years of experience demonstrating progressive responsibility, including 5 years in a supervisory capacity, in conservation law enforcement, law enforcement or closely related field. The incumbent must possess and maintain Montana peace officer basic certification or possess a state peace officer certification and obtain Montana equivalency within one year and possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license. An applicant for this position must be at least 18 years of age on the date of appointment, be a United States citizen and must be or become a Montana resident, be in excellent physical and mental health and must pass a physical examination, an extensive background investigation and a psychological evaluation approved by the agency.