Water Conservation Specialist 1 (57013)

State of Montana • Bozeman, MT

2d

About The Position

What if your next role lets you investigate water rights across Montana, contribute to critical water management decisions, 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 multiple Water Conservation Specialist 1 positions across Montana to champion water resource management and ensure consistent stewardship of Montana's water rights.
If you are a detail-driven natural resources professional who loves turning complex data into clear findings, seeks opportunity for field visits 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 managed and protected.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in natural resource management or natural sciences, plus a minimum of one year of experience with water resources management

Nice To Haves

• Coursework in water resources, physical or natural sciences, engineering, public speaking, and writing is desirable.
• Knowledge of (or ability to learn in a reasonable amount of time) Montana water law, relevant interstate and reserved water compacts, rules, policies, procedures, and government operations.
• Water resource-related management theories, principles, concepts, and practices; field investigation methodologies; and negotiation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Local water availability, water use practices, water measurement techniques and devices, irrigation methods and designs.
• Public landownership records, court decrees and orders, and geological formations affecting water availability.
• Local, state, and federal governmental administrative processes.
• Skills in The use of personal computers and operating systems and appropriate software relating to databases on a PC.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting land descriptions.
• Organizing and setting priorities while accomplishing numerous and diverse duties.
• GIS applications and technical software programs.
• Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Analyze complex issues and make sound, defensible judgments.
• Be organized, self-motivated, demonstrate initiative, and control projects.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Recognize problems or unusual situations and deal with them in a timely, effective manner.
• Convey complex laws and technical information to the public in a clear and concise manner.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and analyze water right claims and water use information, provide technical assistance to the Water Court, and testify as an expert witness in contested cases and hearings.
• Conduct scientific field investigations to measure water use, verify diversion and place of use, assess compliance with permits and regulations, and collect data on surface and groundwater conditions.
• Process and fully review a variety of new water right applications and notices, research supporting records, and enter and maintain accurate information in the centralized water rights database.
• Research and compile water use, well log, land ownership, and decree information to assist the public with precise information and interpretation in water resource matters.
• Provide public assistance and apply dispute resolution techniques to analyze facts and laws, suggest alternatives, and help resolve water use conflicts and objections while remaining impartial.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and special projects, represent the Department to local groups, and contribute to planning, budgeting, and other regional office operational activities as assigned.

Benefits

• Work/life balance.
• 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: Entry Level