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Hybrid
Must reside within the assigned district boundaries. Occasional overnight travel is required.
Category
Security & Protective Services
Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
At least 5 years of livestock handling experience, including the proven ability to rope cattle, clip cattle, and read livestock brands, is required.
The ability to become Peace Officer Standards and Training certified within 1 year of employment is required.
Applicants must pass required physical and psychological testing.
Applicants must maintain an unrestricted valid driver's license and safely operate a motor vehicle.
The employee must qualify with firearms as prescribed by department firearms policy and continue to qualify twice annually.
The employee must be able to stand, walk, and run for long periods; move quickly; climb fences; handle livestock; rope and clip animals; ride horses; and subdue and arrest individuals.
Knowledge of state and federal livestock laws and regulations; stock anatomy and physiology, including reproductive stages and breeds; livestock brands; lending-institution and departmental requirements regarding liens and mortgages; ownership legal requirements; stock-handling methods and techniques; the statewide brand-recording system; arithmetic; word processing; standard office software; grammar and composition; general office procedures; and department-specific software is required.
The employee must communicate with staff, supervisors, and others using electronic devices, including cell phones, handheld computers, personal computers, and laptops.
The employee must adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under pressure or stress while maintaining objectivity, professionalism, patience, and composure.
Responsibilities
Enforce federal, state, and tribal livestock laws and protect the livestock industry within the assigned geographical region from losses through inspection, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement.
Develop knowledge in both brands and animal health duty areas.
Stop vehicles carrying livestock, serve search warrants, collect evidence in the field, make arrests, issue citations, seize vehicles and livestock, and independently conduct felony investigations.
Assist federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies with arrests, investigations, roadblocks, and related activities as a sworn peace officer.
Drive extensively, including more than 1,500 miles per month in a state-owned vehicle.
Carry a firearm during the course of work and comply with department firearms policy.
Occasionally travel overnight to support program operations.
Desired Qualifications
Graduation from a law-enforcement academy and Peace Officer Standards and Training certifications.
Progressive experience in livestock law enforcement.
Prior experience with the Department of Livestock.
To be considered for Department of Livestock positions, applicants must apply and submit any required application materials through the State Of Montana Careers Website at Statecareers.mt.gov.
This position is posted as 'Open Until Filled' with a first review of Application on June 1, 2026.
Materials Required of Applicants\:
Cover Letter\: In your cover letter Please explain what aspects of this position interest you the most? Also describe how your education, experience and qualities will help you excel in this position. Please be specific about your relevant experiences and include your skills in handling cattle.
Resume
References\: References will be requested to finalist applicants prior to being made an offer of employment, however are not required at this portion of the recruitment process.
About this Opportunity\:
Job Overview\: This position is responsible for the enforcement of federal, state, and tribal livestock laws and protecting the livestock industry within the specified geographical region from losses through inspection, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement. District investigators are expected to be knowledgeable in two duty areas (brands and animal health).
Please note that due to the demands of the industry, upon hire District Investigators must live within and maintain residence within the boundaries of the district to which they are assigned. Applicants that do not and are not going to live within the district boundaries as described in this posting, may be screened out during the selection process.
The position requires knowledge of state and federal livestock laws and regulations, anatomy and physiology of stock (cattle, sheep, horses- including reproductive stages and breeds), livestock brands, lending institution and departmental requirements regarding liens and mortgages, ownership legal requirements, stock handling methods and techniques, the statewide brand recording system, and arithmetic. Proficiency in word processing and standard office software, basic grammar and composition, and general office procedures and practices is required. The candidate must have the ability to successfully learn and use Department specific software to conduct research on ownership, etc. The candidate must have the ability and willingness to communicate with staff, supervisor and others using electronic devices (including cell phone, handheld computer, personal computer and laptop). The ability to operate and safely drive a motor vehicle is required. Demonstrated effective leadership skills are highly important to be successful in this position. District investigators must be willing and able to adapt to changing priorities to best serve the agency and the livestock industry. The ability to work well under pressure or stress; keep a positive perspective, maintain objectivity in the face of conflict, maintain a business-like approach, and demonstrate patience and composure to others is critical.
This is a field position and performs remote work. Remote work exists when the majority of work is routinely performed at a location other than a facility owned or operated by the Department. A state-owned vehicle and cell phone/service will be provided.
Overnight Travel\: The success of our program is dependent upon teamwork which will occasionally require overnight travel.
The position is predominately responsible for law enforcement, and will be required to stop vehicles carrying livestock, serve search warrants, collect evidence from the field, make arrests, issue citations, seize vehicles, seize livestock, and independently conduct felony investigations. In addition to threats typically encountered during the performance of law enforcement activities, district investigators will also work with unpredictable range stock, and must have extensive experience working in this environment in order to take the necessary precautions. As a sworn peace officer, the position may also be called upon to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with arrests, investigations, roadblocks, etc.
Reasons to work for the Montana Department of Livestock\:Our work matters! Our work supports and protects the livestock industry. We are proud of our work and the contribution we make to the Montana way of life. Please read on to find out about this opportunity to join our law enforcement team! To find out more about the Department of Livestock visit our website HERE.
Benefits of working for the Department of Livestock\: The ability to work and play in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Other fantastic benefits include\:
Health Coverage
Retirement plans
Paid vacation, sick leave and Holidays
Work/life balance
Opportunities and room for professional growth
Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click HERE to learn more!
Required/ Minimum Qualifications\:
The necessary knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through\:
High School diploma or equivalent,
5+ years of livestock handling experience, including but not limited to the proven ability to rope, clip cattle and read brands.
Ability to become P.O.S.T. Certified within 1 year of employment.
Preferred Qualifications\:
Graduation from the law enforcement academy and P.O.S.T certifications.
Progressive experience in livestock law enforcement.
Prior Experience with the Department.
Condition of Employment\: You must pass the required physical and psychological testing. You must be able to perform the essential functions of the position (including maintaining an unrestricted valid driver's license, and the ability to safely drive a motor vehicle) and must become P.O.S.T certified within 12 months after hire and qualify with firearms as prescribed by department firearms policy and continue to qualify twice annually. The position will carry a firearm during the course of work. Working Environment and Physical Demands\: This position involves physical demands including\: extensive travel (driving in excess of 1,500 miles per month in state-owned vehicle), standing, walking and running for long periods of time, handling livestock, ability to move quickly, climb fences, etc. in order to avoid serious injury, the ability to rope and clip animals, ride horses, and subdue and arrest individuals.
* Residence Requirement\: Due to the demands of the industry, upon hire District Investigators must live within and maintain residence within the boundaries of the district to which they are assigned. Applicants that do not and are not going to live within the district boundaries as described in this posting, may be screened out during the selection process. Once assigned, no district investigator may move out of the boundaries of their district. Exceptions, are rare, however may be made to this policy on a case-by-case basis and for extreme circumstances. Occasional review of existing district boundaries occur as necessary to create efficiencies as vacancies and work-load evolve.
*Effective March 30, 2026, this agency participates 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.For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https\://www.e-verify.gov/.
Applicant Notice & Verification of Information\: My signature (electronic included) and submission of the Application for Employment certifies that the information provided on my Application for Employment and attached to my Application for Employment including but not limited to resumes, letters of reference, transcripts, and diplomas are true and complete and any misstatements or omission of material facts in the application or the hiring process may result in discontinuing of the hiring process or termination of employment, no matter when discovered.
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.
State of Montana is the state government responsible for public administration and services across Montana. State agencies deliver healthcare, transportation, natural resources, public safety, regulation, education support, taxation, and other public programs. It serves residents, businesses, local governments, visitors, communities, and public institutions throughout Montana. Its operating model centers on departments and agencies operating under elected leadership, public law, budgets, civil-service systems, and statewide infrastructure. Teams work across public administration, healthcare, engineering, technology, finance, regulation, public safety, and community services. Teams support coordinated daily delivery.
Security & Protective Services