Description – External
Work Unit Overview:
The Water Resources Division (WRD) is responsible for promoting and coordinating the beneficial use, conservation, protection, and development of Montana’s water resources. The WRD carries out its duties to promote the general welfare, economic and social prosperity of the people of Montana. Sound coordination of the development and utilization of the State’s waters allows the department to protect existing uses and to promote adequate future supplies for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and recreational needs, as well as the conservation of water for wildlife, aquatic life, and other beneficial uses. The Water Management Bureau (WMB) supports the mission of the WRD by conducting hydrologic assessments of Montana’s surface water and groundwater resources, conducting water resource planning studies, fostering stewardship of the state’s water resources through diverse outreach programs, providing technical support to other bureaus within WRD and supporting the development of new water resources policies, rules, and regulations.
Job Overview:
The Hydro-Sciences Data Section within the Water Management Bureau (WMB) is seeking a mid-level to senior level Surface Water Hydrologist. This position supports the WRD and WMB in the administration of the Water Use Act, and implementation of the 2015 Montana State Water Plan. This position serves as a department expert on technical analyses of complex hydrologic conditions in support of water rights administration, policy development, and water management studies.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.
- Provides hydrologic support to the Upper Big Hole River Arctic Grayling Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program.
- Supports the development and implementation of the state-based stream gaging program.
- Provides technical support and training to court appointed water commissioners, watershed groups, conservation districts, ditch riders, the Montana Water Court, irrigation boards, Department staff, other government agencies, consultants, and the public regarding all facets of water measurement.
- Conducts hydrological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available to support the resolution of water resource management issues identified by local water users, or local, state, and federal agencies.
- Provides technical support to the administration of the Montana Water Use Act, to the state-based stream gage program, and to all facets of water measurement by providing subject matter guidance on complex and/or controversial water right applications and change of use applications.
Other Duties as Assigned: This position performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Division and Department operations.
Application and Selection Process: The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy by: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR THIS POSITION ARE:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- References (3)
- Supplemental Questions-(please answer the following questions in a separate document and attach to the application).
- Please explain how your education, work experience, and your own personal career goals make you a good fit for this position.
- Please describe your experience and background with private landowner partnerships.
- Please describe your knowledge of Montana Water Rights and the challenges it presents in the future.
TIP: When attaching your resume and other material, you must mark the attachments as “relevant”
DNRC Benefits:
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
- Retirement Plans
If you would like further information about this position, or would like to see the full job description please contact Kellie Richetti at Krichetti@mt.gov
Qualifications – External
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- A bachelor’s degree in a field related to Hydrology, Earth Science, Geology, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Water Resources, with an emphasis in water resources or agricultural land management is required.
- A minimum of one year of pertinent, progressively responsible experience in hydrologic investigations, taking hydrologic measurements, modeling, implementation of Montana Water Use Act, working with diverse stakeholder groups, and public speaking.
- Education and experience equivalent and comparable to that specified above may meet job requirements and would be considered on an individual basis.
Required Knowledge:
- Principles, theories, and methods of hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, geomorphology, integrated remote sensing, meteorology, geospatial analysis, and groundwater and/or surface water modeling.
- Extensive knowledge of water use and water conservation methods in Montana
- Practical understanding of a multitude of topics, including state and federal water policies and the implications of water policy decisions.
- Hydrologic field methodologies and use of appropriate instrumentation for water measurement.
- Methods for conducting hydrologic investigations, including techniques and methods for analyzing data, developing hydrologic models, and reporting findings.
- Irrigation system design and practices common to Montana including sprinkler and flood irrigation systems.
- Spatial information development, data management, GIS software (ArcGIS), spatial data analysis and mapping principles.
- Mathematics, statistics, (especially statistical inference, regression, and probability), and computer methods in hydrologic analysis.
- Water Law and use in Montana, water allocation, interstate and international river basin issues and compacts, water rights, Indian and non-Indian federal reserved water rights.
Working Conditions: The position is based in Helena, Montana and approximately 50% of the work occurs in a normal office setting. Frequent travel and field work is required between the months of April and November. Travel may exceed 1,500 miles per month and will occasionally be two (2) to three (3) days in duration. The position requires the ability to walk over rough and steep terrain to carry field equipment to data collection sites. The hydrologist must be able to work outdoors during bad weather. The hydrologist must rely on experience and judgement as to what safety precautions are prudent. The hydrologist must have good, driving skills required for both on-road and off-road travel and during times of inclement weather. Some irregular hours, evenings, and weekends are involved.
Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver’s license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
Eligibility to Work: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a “green card”.
Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
Training Assignment: Not Applicable
Salary: $ 29.04 – 32.09 Hourly
Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan
Number of Openings: 1
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time
Primary Location: Helena
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Jan 3, 2023, 10:12:42 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Jan 25, 2023, 1:59:00 PM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, Supplemental Questions (Refer to Job Posting)
Contact Name: Kellie Richetti | Contact Email: krichetti@me.com | Contact Phone: 4064440513
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.
