Division Administrator - Conservation and Resource Development

State of Montana • Helena, MT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division Administrator provides executive leadership and overall management of the Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD) at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The administrator sets strategic direction; oversees statewide programs, budgets, and staff; develops and implements policy; and represents DNRC with the Legislature, executive branch, governmental partners, stakeholders, media, and the public. The position reports to the DNRC Director and oversees a division of approximately 57 employees.

Work is primarily performed in office, meeting, and public-hearing settings. The position requires statewide travel for meetings, site visits, conservation-district activities, and public engagement; occasional overnight or out-of-state travel may be required. Extended or irregular hours may be needed during legislative sessions, budget development, public meetings, emergencies, and other time-sensitive assignments. Occasional field visits may involve uneven terrain and variable weather conditions. The role requires sitting or standing for extended periods, travel by vehicle or other transportation, and walking short distances over uneven terrain.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required, with fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. Fingerprint and background checks are required. The selected candidate must provide documentation authorizing U.S. employment within three days of hire; the State of Montana does not sponsor. The agency participates in E-Verify.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in natural-resource management, public administration, business administration, finance, economics, environmental policy, or a closely related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in natural-resource program administration, public administration, finance, governmental affairs, infrastructure or resource development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing staff, complex programs, budgets, policy development, and relationships with governmental and nongovernmental partners.
• Experience leading operations across a large, complex, or geographically distributed organization, including supervising senior leaders.
• Experience presenting budgets, legislation, or policy proposals to elected bodies, governing boards, or oversight agencies, and navigating the legislative process.
• A history of managing high-stakes issues to resolution with integrity, including issues involving polarized views about reasonable use of land and water.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with staff at all levels and external partners, including elected officials, county commissioners, and tribal leadership.
• Advanced skill in planning, prioritizing, and goal setting, and high proficiency in organizational awareness, conflict management, negotiation, and energizing others.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication, including public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, negotiation, and clear writing about technical topics.
• Knowledge of organization and management principles, supervisory principles, personnel management, organizational leadership, government operations, public administration, intergovernmental coordination, budgeting, and finance.
• Ability to represent the Department and State credibly in legislative and public meetings and hearings; balance competing demands under deadlines; and communicate with DNRC leadership, division leadership, and staff.
• Valid driver's license with fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
• Eligibility to work in the United States; required fingerprint and background check.

Nice To Haves

• Senior-level experience working with elected or appointed officials.
• Knowledge of water law, hydrology, and water policy in the Western United States is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and overall management of the Conservation and Resource Development Division.
• Set strategic direction for the division.
• Oversee statewide programs, budgets, and staff, including approximately 57 employees.
• Develop and implement policy and translate legislative intent into practical programs and procedures.
• Represent DNRC and the State of Montana with the Legislature, executive branch, governmental partners, stakeholders, media, and the public.
• Manage complex programs, budgets, staff, and relationships with governmental and nongovernmental partners.
• Lead the division through change and evolving demands, and manage sensitive or contentious issues with fairness, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Build and maintain working relationships with staff, legislators, tribes, federal partners, local governments, water users, stakeholders, and the public.
• Analyze complex problems, anticipate obstacles, evaluate options, and make well-supported decisions.
• Travel statewide for meetings, site visits, conservation-district activities, and public engagement.

Benefits

• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; vacation leave increases with years of service.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
• Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution retirement plans, plus an optional 457b Plan.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Longevity pay with continued state service.

What This Job Offers

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