Role OverviewThe Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) is recruiting a visionary and strategic executive to lead the Water Resources Division (WRD), a team of approximately 150 professionals with a biennial budget exceeding 60 million dollars. This role sits at the center of how Montana's rivers, lakes, and aquifers are managed, protected, and shared for current and future generations. The position offers the chance to shape statewide water policy and operations in one of the nation's most iconic landscapes.
What You Will Do
Provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and management for WRD, setting division goals, priorities, and performance expectations in coordination with DNRC leadership. Oversees implementation and enforcement of the Montana Water Use Act and administration of water rights statewide, including programs in water rights administration and adjudication, groundwater and surface water management, conflict resolution, dam safety, floodplain management, and state water projects. Directs division budgeting and finance, including formulating, presenting, and defending the division budget and aligning staffing and resources with priorities. Advises the DNRC Director, Deputy Director, and Governor's Office on statewide water resource policy, priorities, and emerging issues, and represents the Department before legislative committees, federal agencies, tribes, local governments, and diverse stakeholder groups.
Why It Might Be a Fit
This role is ideal for a visionary leader energized by leading people, navigating complexity, and serving the public at the intersection of science, law and policy. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated success leading complex, multi-disciplinary teams and managing change in high-visibility environments, with skill in strategic planning, policy development, and translating legislative intent into practical programs. The selected candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement, and the role offers generous paid leave, health/dental/vision insurance, retirement plans, and potential Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
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
Benefits
- Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays)
- Vacation leave increases with years of service
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- 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
- Relocation expense reimbursement (eligible)
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