Lawyer

State of Montana • Helena, MT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a Lawyer (1) or (2) to join its legal team in Helena, MT. This position will primarily provide legal advice and representation to DNRC's Forestry and Trust Lands Division. The Lawyer (1) or (2) will collaborate with the legal team and work closely with DNRC program staff on a wide range of legal issues related to the management of Montana’s natural resources. The incumbent will also provide legal advice, conduct document review, and draft legal documents for DNRC staff and leadership related to legal issues and policy matters involving the DNRC’s mission. They will represent DNRC in all phases of litigation and administrative proceedings that involve defending or pursuing affirmative actions related to DNRC’s natural resource management responsibilities. Additional duties may include providing legal support for special projects, rulemaking, and legislative drafting.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with coursework in constitutional, natural resource, mineral, property, and administrative law.
• Must become licensed to practice law in Montana within 6 months of hire.
• For Lawyer 1: A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice law in Montana within six months of hire.
• For Lawyer 2: A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of 2 years of practicing law and must be admitted to practice law in Montana within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of legal analysis principles, practices and theories.
• Knowledge of court and administrative hearing processes, procedures, and rules.
• Knowledge of legal research methods and techniques, including use of LEXIS and Westlaw.
• Ability to analyze difficult legal problems and synthesize a course of action to develop practical, defensible recommendations and action plans.
• Ability to develop strategies to resolve legal and regulatory problems, ensuring alignment with the Department's mission and statutory authority.
• Advanced skills in written and oral communication tailored to legal, legislative, and public audiences, including courts, board members, legislators, Department staff, and Montana citizens.
• Ability to maintain a positive, cordial, and effective relationship throughout the Department.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to support the Department's objectives and to resolve issues collaboratively.
• Applies working knowledge of administrative, litigation, and legislative procedures in preparing, reviewing, and presenting legal and regulatory matters.
• Interprets and applies relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, case law, and constitutional provisions to support Department programs and decision-making.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal Lawyer 2 candidate has relevant practice experience in natural resources law, property law, or public agency law.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, conduct document review, and draft legal documents for DNRC staff and leadership related to legal issues and policy matters involving the DNRC’s mission.
• Represent DNRC in all phases of litigation and administrative proceedings that involve defending or pursuing affirmative actions related to DNRC’s natural resource management responsibilities.
• Provide legal support for special projects, rulemaking, and legislative drafting.

Benefits

• 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.
• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree