RANGE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST Job in Helena, MT

Vacancy No. MT-13024478-AR-26-549 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $61,722.00 to $80,243.00 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/5/2026 Close Date 8/20/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Helena, MT


RANGE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Army
Army National Guard Units
Montana Army National Guard - Garrison Training Center

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a RANGE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, Position Description Number D2798000, and is part of the Montana Army National Guard, Garrison Training Center - Range Operations. (A copy of the Position Description can be obtained from HRO upon request.)

Selecting Official: LTC Gehring

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the following: Area I - Permanent (Tenure 1/2) T32 technicians of the MT Army National Guard (MTARNG), Area II - Indefinite (Tenure 3) MTARNG T32 technicians & MTARNG T5 permanent (Tenure 1/2) or term (Tenure 3) employees that are military members of the MTARNG, & Area III - military members of the MTARNG or T5 temporary (Tenure 0) employees that are military members of the MTARNG.

Duties

Implements range operations functions directly related to the safe and efficient utilization of the Range and Training Area (RTA) complex during live fire and live training operations on multiple ranges, maneuver training area, and live training facilities. Performs range safety functions to include on-site inspections of ranges and training areas, safety pre-briefing to using military and civilian agencies, investigation of range accidents/incidents, and providing technical guidance and advice to supervisors, range safety officers, and unit personnel. Monitors and inspects the range and training area complex for training and recreational activities to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, procedures, range, or facility standard operating procedures (SOPS), range risk assessments, Surface Danger Zones (SDZs) overlays, and special instructions.

Inspects and enforces safe weapons firing and handling, ammunition handling and accountability, safe troop movement, tactical training safety, target emplacement, environmental compliance, and installation and maintenance of warning signs/roadblocks and barriers preventing access to permanent and temporary impact areas and designated hazard areas. Inspects range packets and equipment for completeness and serviceability. Issues range packets, radios, telephones, flags, and keys to units scheduled for training. Coordinates training support materials for training units including, targets, target frames, sandbags, or other items needed. Inspects and clears units from range and training areas upon completion of training. Ensures strict compliance with environmental regulations to include providing instructions for thorough policing of all ammunition, brass, debris, trash, residue by using units.

Ensures that weather information is disseminated to all units who are utilizing ranges, live training facilities, and maneuver training areas on normal and emergency advisories (i.e., weather warnings, tornadoes, flooded crossing sites, Installation closures, and road conditions during the winter months). Provides continual monitoring of all live training activities on the installation Range and Training Area (RTA) complex using Range Facility Maintenance Support System (RFMSS) Enhanced Graphic Fire Desk software. Monitors the issuance, opening, check fire, cease fire, and closing of all live fire ranges, artillery, and mortar firing points, training facilities, and training areas through operation/communications via multiple radio nets. As required, performs maintenance of ranges and training areas to correct minor discrepancies to include replacement of sandbags, vegetation control, transport and supervision of troop details, and policing of ranges and training areas, brush removal, and tree removal. When required, participates as members of a range wildfire suppression crew on ranges and within the training areas.

Coordinates requests for air and ground medical evacuation for injured personnel in the Range and Training Area (RTA) complex. Investigates incidents that occur in the RTA complex as required. Provides RTA complex users with current range safety information regarding the safe conduct and utilization of ranges that includes, training restrictions and procedures for fire prevention, ammunition security measures, and controlled airspace impacts to live fire activities.

Recommends measures to correct deficiencies or eliminate hazards when detected on ranges, maneuver training areas, or live training facilities; before, during, or after live training operations. Immediately halt any questionable safety practices detected on the Range and Training Area (RTA) complex. Coordinates with unit range safety officers to assist developing risk assessments and implementing controls and mitigations of identified hazards when planning training exercises. Either through direct inspection, observation, notification by range operations desk, or other means, initiates emergency response, initials investigation, and documentations of incidents or accidents.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the employing state's National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
  • Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • Appointments in the Title 32 MTNG technician program may terminate/suspend your military incentives; please see your MTNG Retention Office/Military Personnel Incentive Program Manager for details.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
  • External applicants must be able to start within 6 months of selection.
  • May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
  • Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements and your organization.
  • Must successfully complete the Inter-service Range Safety Course (Intermediate) or the Range Safety Course Level II course.

Qualifications

Military Grades:
Enlisted E1 - E9


GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Must have experience, education, or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration; experience compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information; progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; experience using computer and automation systems. (MUST address your experiences in detail on resume as they relate to these general experiences to be considered for this position)


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE -OR- EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Must have one of the following:

A)
1 year of specialized experience, education or training equivalent to the GS-7 level; experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management; experience developing administrative procedures. (MUST address your experiences in detail on resume as they relate to these specialized experiences, if using experience to qualify)

-OR-

B)
Master's or equivalent graduate degree -or- 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree -or- LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Must submit relevant transcripts with application, if using education to qualify.)

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS
In additional to the general and specialized experience, applicants must also have the following experience and training:

  • Experience applying standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety regulations, and environmental compliance guidelines in a structured environment.
  • Experience inspecting, issuing, and maintaining accountability of equipment, packets, or supplies for teams or units.
  • Experience operating on a military firing range.
  • Experience enforcing safety protocols.
  • Training on how to initiate emergency responses to a situation.
  • Experience conducting safety briefings.
***(These selective placement factors MUST be addressed on your resume to be considered for this position)***

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing:

  • Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
  • Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (AT LEAST MONTH/YEAR - MONTH/YEAR), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
  • Education, certifications or licensures.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13024478

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Vanessa Toquero
Email
vanessa.toquero.civ@army.mil
Address
MT Training Site
1956 MT MAJO STREET
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Army National Guard Units

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community!

Agency contact information

Vanessa Toquero
Email
vanessa.toquero.civ@army.mil
Address
MT Training Site
1956 MT MAJO STREET
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
US

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