Job Overview

As a Water Conservation Specialist 2, you’ll help protect and manage Montana’s water resources through a mix of fieldwork, technical analysis, and public service. In this role, you’ll evaluate water right applications, investigate water use issues, collect and interpret water data, and help ensure water is managed fairly and responsibly across the state.

Core Values of DNRC Water Resources Division

• Value People

• Stewardship

• Service

• Credibility

• Engagement

What You’ll Do

As a Water Conservation Specialist 2, you are on the front lines of how Montanans use, share, and protect water. You will:

• Evaluate new and existing water rights, analyze water availability, and make defensible decisions and recommendations on applications and changes

• Conduct field investigations to measure flows, confirm points of diversion and places of use, and verify that projects are built and operated as permitted

• Apply Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) analysis to proposed water uses and document potential environmental impacts

• Research and interpret complex water records, maps, aerial photos, decrees, and technical data to answer questions and resolve issues.

• Investigate water use complaints, help defuse conflicts between water users and recommend solutions or enforcement when needed

• Provide technical information and support to landowners, consultants, attorneys, conservation districts, planning boards, and other partners

• Present clear technical reports and, at times, testify as an expert witness in contested cases

Every day is different – you might be on a ditch bank measuring flow in the morning and explaining water law to a landowner or attorney that afternoon.

Benefits

Live and work in Helena, Montana, which offers a unique blend of opportunities and natural beauty, situated between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Montana offers abundant recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking.

Additional benefits include:

• 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.

This position is eligible for a $1.00/hour base pay increase effective July 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, or a related field.

• At least three years of experience in water resources management or a closely related field.
• Alternate combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

What You Bring

• Knowledge of water resource management principles, hydrology, and water measurement practices.

• Understanding of Montana water law, water rights, and related regulations.
• Ability to analyze technical information and make sound, defensible decisions.
• Skill in preparing clear written materials and communicating complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Experience using computers and software such as databases, spreadsheets, word processing tools, and GIS applications.
• Ability to build strong working relationships, manage competing priorities, and handle conflict professionally.

How to Apply

Only online submissions are accepted. Applicants must attach both a cover letter and resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter – Describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will make you successful in this role.

• Resume - Include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position.
• References - Provide contact information for three professional work references, preferably supervisors, including your current supervisor if possible. For each reference, include their name, title, organization, phone number, email address, and a brief description of your working relationship (e.g., position held and length of time worked together).

Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

As a Water Conservation Specialist 2, you’ll help protect and manage Montana’s water resources through a mix of fieldwork, technical analysis, and public service. In this role, you’ll evaluate water right applications, investigate water use issues, collect and interpret water data, and help ensure water is managed fairly and responsibly across the state. Core Values of DNRC Water Resources Division. Value People. Stewardship. Service. Credibility. Engagement What You’ll Do As a Water Conservation Specialist 2, you are on the front lines of how Montanans use, share, and protect water. You will: Evaluate new and existing water rights, analyze water availability, and make defensible decisions and recommendations on applications and changes. Conduct field investigations to measure flows, confirm points of diversion and places of use, and verify that projects are built and operated as permitted. Apply Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) analysis to proposed water uses and document potential environmental impacts. Research and interpret complex water records, maps, aerial photos, decrees, and technical data to answer questions and resolve issues. Investigate water use complaints, help defuse conflicts between water users and recommend solutions or enforcement when needed. Provide technical information and support to landowners, consultants, attorneys, conservation districts, planning boards, and other partners. Present clear technical reports and, at times, testify as an expert witness in contested cases Every day is different – you might be on a ditch bank measuring flow in the morning and explaining water law to a landowner or attorney that afternoon. Benefits. Live and work in Helena, Montana, which offers a unique blend of opportunities and natural beauty, situated between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Montana offers abundant recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking. Additional benefits include:Work/life balance. Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service. Longevity pay with continued state serviceHealth, 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. This position is eligible for a $1.00/hour base pay increase effective July 2026. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, natural sciences, or a related field. At least three years of experience in water resources management or a closely related field. Alternate combinations of education and experience may also be considered. What You Bring Knowledge of water resource management principles, hydrology, and water measurement practices. Understanding of Montana water law, water rights, and related regulations. Ability to analyze technical information and make sound, defensible decisions. Skill in preparing clear written materials and communicating complex information to a variety of audiences. Experience using computers and software such as databases, spreadsheets, word processing tools, and GIS applications. Ability to build strong working relationships, manage competing priorities, and handle conflict professionally. How to Apply Only online submissions are accepted. Applicants must attach both a cover letter and resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable. Required Application Materials Cover Letter – Describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will make you successful in this role. Resume - Include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position. References - Provide contact information for three professional work references, preferably supervisors, including your current supervisor if possible. For each reference, include their name, title, organization, phone number, email address, and a brief description of your working relationship (e.g., position held and length of time worked together). Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.

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