Deputy Division Administrator - Water Resources

State of Montana • Helena, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Water Resources Division, is seeking an experienced and collaborative Deputy Division Administrator to help lead one of the state’s most critical natural resource programs. This executive‑level position plays a key role by providing strategic leadership for statewide water programs, overseeing complex division operations and budgets, and representing the Division and Department before the Legislature, Governor’s Office, tribal governments, local governments, federal agencies, and stakeholders.

Leading people, programs, and policy for Montana’s waters
In this role, you will:
Oversee division operations and business functions for a 150‑FTE division with a biennial budget of more than $60 million, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with DNRC’s mission and state requirements.
Provide executive‑level leadership to staff by supervising managers and bureau chiefs, directing HR functions in coordination with DNRC leadership and HR, and supporting succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
Lead water programs and policy by co‑developing division strategy, guiding implementation of statewide water management policies and procedures, and helping shape legislation that affects water users across Montana.
Represent the Division on complex, high‑visibility issues by working directly with policy makers, partners, and stakeholders and providing expert testimony and recommendations on proposed regulations and legislation.
Serves as a member of the Department's executive leadership team, sharing responsibility for strategic direction, policy development, organizational performance, and coordinated implementation of Department and Division priorities.
If you enjoy guiding teams through complexity, balancing competing interests, and shaping how public policy is put into practice, this role offers a rare opportunity to influence Montana’s water future.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, law, environmental science, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in regulatory or program administration, water or natural resource management, and related fields.
• Senior‑level leadership experience with staff supervision, oversight of multiple programs, and significant budget management responsibility.
• Strong leadership experience overseeing programs, staff, and budgets in a regulatory, public administration, or natural resources setting.
• Demonstrated success managing operations, setting priorities, and making well‑supported decisions in dynamic, high‑visibility environments.
• Knowledge of government operations, budgeting, and personnel management, and skill in aligning day‑to‑day activities with statutory requirements, policies, and strategic goals.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with division staff, DNRC leadership, legislators, tribes, federal partners, local governments, water users, and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, negotiation, and clear, accessible writing on complex or technical topics.
• Capacity to lead through change; anticipate and address problems promptly; and manage sensitive or contentious issues with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee division operations and business functions for a 150‑FTE division with a biennial budget of more than $60 million, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with DNRC’s mission and state requirements.
• Provide executive‑level leadership to staff by supervising managers and bureau chiefs, directing HR functions in coordination with DNRC leadership and HR, and supporting succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Lead water programs and policy by co‑developing division strategy, guiding implementation of statewide water management policies and procedures, and helping shape legislation that affects water users across Montana.
• Represent the Division on complex, high‑visibility issues by working directly with policy makers, partners, and stakeholders and providing expert testimony and recommendations on proposed regulations and legislation.
• Serves as a member of the Department's executive leadership team, sharing responsibility for strategic direction, policy development, organizational performance, and coordinated implementation of Department and Division priorities.

Benefits

• Relocation expense reimbursement
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays). Vacation leave increases with years of 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 457b Plan).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
• Longevity pay with continued state service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive