Senior Water Master

State of Montana • Bozeman, MT

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This is highly responsible, advanced legal work in adjudicating water rights in specific basins for the Montana judicial system. Work includes legal research and writing, conducting hearings, mediations, and settlement conferences. Work includes responsibility for making investigations of alleged water rights claims and holding hearings and issuing decisions to determine the validity of the most complex of water rights in 32 of the 85 basins. Additional senior level duties include acting as Water Court liaison with other agencies and task forces. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Water Judge and is reviewed through conferences and analysis of written opinions.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state water law, water use, water rights, and legal precedents.
• Considerable knowledge of legal research.
• Considerable knowledge of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Supreme Court Water Claim Examination Rules, and Water Court Procedures.
• Ability to prepare legal opinions and other legal papers and documents.
• Ability to make effective legal presentations as required by the position.
• Ability interpret aerial photographs.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer.
• Graduation from an accredited law school supplemented by thorough experience in the practice of water law.
• Possession of a current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the State of Montana; eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Montana.
• Montana driver’s license; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Water Court by participating in committee work to amend Montana Supreme Court Claim Examination Rules; represents the Water Court on the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation committee in the design and review of computerized database for statewide water rights.
• Reviews decrees prior to issuance.
• Organizes water rights claims, objections and notices to appear into cases, consolidates cases when necessary, calendars and monitors cases, conducts status conferences and settlement conferences, enforces discovery.
• Conducts trials, rules on admissibility of evidence, makes and writes decisions; drafts findings of fact conclusions of law and recommendations for review by the Chief Water Judge. Travels to hearing sites and presides at hearings; is responsible for the accuracy of court minutes, records, exhibits and witness lists including accurate indexing and recording of the proceedings before the Water Master.
• Resolves objections and determines water rights; determines abandonment of water rights.
• Conducts site inspections at the request of parties.
• Assists District courts in the administration of decreed water rights; requests assistance of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in organizing water record information; designs and drafts water right ditch lists and billing records.
• Advises and assists the Chief Water Judge in review of proposed orders and memorandum opinions.
• Consults with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation concerning Water Court claims, statements of objection, and post decree technical assistance.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

What This Job Offers

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