Compliance Specialist 3 (57076,57069)

State of Montana • Helena, MT

9d

About The Position

What if your next role lets you drive statewide water rights quality, train and mentor experts across Montana, and safeguard one of the state’s most vital natural resources every single day? The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Water Resources Division is recruiting two Compliance Specialist 3 positions to champion statewide water rights quality control and ensure consistent program implementation for the Adjudication, Enforcement, & Distribution team. If you are a detail‑driven natural resources professional who loves turning complex law and data into clear guidance, enjoys coaching others, and wants your work to matter far beyond your desk, this position offers the chance to leave a lasting mark on how Montana’s water is administered.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Experience in water resource administration, including water rights, teaching/training, database structure and development, analysis and testing, program evaluation, and policy development
• Advanced knowledge of natural resource management and program administration, Montana water rights adjudication, the Montana Water Use Act, Supreme Court claim examination rules, and related court orders.
• Knowledge of Montana Code Annotated and Administrative Rules of Montana related to water rights, examination methodologies, procedures, and comparison standards.
• Familiarity with water use practices in Montana (domestic, irrigation, stock, mining, municipal, commercial, hydropower).
• Strong understanding of GIS technology, water right database structure and applications, document storage and retrieval systems, and common software applications.
• Skill in composing and editing policies, reports, and guidance; reading and interpreting maps, plats, and aerial photographs; and applying math to compute flow rates, volumes, and surface areas.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and legal information clearly, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to train, guide, and oversee the work of others; organize workloads; establish schedules and deadlines; and work independently within program goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, managers, the Water Court, stakeholders, and the public.
• Capacity to interpret and implement statutes, rules, laws, and policies and to research and analyze facts to develop procedures for resolving controversial issues.
• Work is primarily office-based with extensive computer, data, and document work.
• Some travel is required to regional offices, community meetings, trainings, conferences, and field reviews across Montana.
• The position requires sustained mental concentration, analytical thinking, and independent decision-making within program goals and legal frameworks.
• Occasional public speaking, training delivery, and facilitation of meetings with diverse stakeholders is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance and training to regional staff, supervisors, managers, and bureau leadership on statutes, policies, procedures, GIS mapping, and water right database tools, ensuring consistent and accurate work products that comply with law, rule, court orders, and policy.
• Develop, deliver, and update program guidance, training, and manuals; monitor work across regional offices; and maintain a quality control review plan and schedule that tracks progress toward bureau goals.
• Identify data, policy, and procedural issues; recommend and implement solutions (including remedial training and process changes); and serve on database teams to improve systems, test enhancements, and support staff in using updated tools.
• Lead public information and outreach efforts through newsletters, presentations, and other communication tools to increase understanding of water rights requirements and support timely, consistent responses to complex inquiries.
• Perform special projects, assist with budgeting and bureau planning, represent the program at meetings and conferences, and provide back‑up to the Program Supervisor on assigned management duties.

Benefits

• Work/life balance with flexible schedules and telework eligibility.
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.
• Longevity pay with continued state service.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
• Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
• Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.
• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees