Are you interested in historic water use, water rights, maps, and aerial photo interpretation? Would you find working in a career that has both legal and technical challenges interesting? Would you like assisting water right owners? If so, we invite you to apply to work for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Water Resources Division in Lewistown, MT, the perfect place to find your center and experience the freedom and open spaces that are truly Montana!
Perfectly positioned in the center of Montana, Lewistown is a friendly community that combines the ambiance of Montana’s natural beauty with the authenticity of our western lifestyle. With our spring-fed Big Spring Creek quietly meandering through town and five island mountain ranges encircling our community, a multitude of recreational opportunities are readily available. Lewistown has a true four-season climate, with an abundance of events, activities and recreation to keep you busy no matter what the weather. Easy access to public lands and plentiful rivers, lakes and streams ensure world-class hunting, year-round fishing, and plenty of choices for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and more.
WORK UNIT OVERVIEW:
The Water Resource Division is responsible for managing Montana’s water for the present and future needs of its people. We compile accurate, up-to-date stream flow data from more than 90 monitoring gages, providing critical data for managing reservoirs, irrigation schedules, water rights permitting and adjudication, implementation of Montana’s water compacts, floodplain management and other services for farmers, ranchers, citizens and communities. We also manage the operation and maintenance of 24 state-owned dams and 250 miles of irrigation canals.
JOB OVERVIEW:
The Adjudication Specialist (Specialist) performs a variety of duties associated with managing Montana’s water resources. The Specialist works primarily with the adjudication programs in the Lewistown Regional Office. The Specialist analyzes statements of claim filed in the adjudication process, water right records, and other data sources to identify legal and factual issues, perform aerial photograph and regional analyses, interview claimants, synthesize this data, and report findings to the Water Court. As decrees are issued, the Specialist evaluates and prepares comments regarding potential DNRC objections. The Specialist also performs investigations, gives testimony in water rights cases, and provides assistance to the Water Court in collecting, checking, processing, recording, and maintaining water right claims, evidence, records, and case documents. The Specialist provides assistance and information to other agencies and the public regarding state water use laws, water availability, and local water use patterns. The program also provides information and support for the state water rights records system.
This position requires knowledge of Montana water law, relevant interstate and reserved water compacts, rules, policies, procedures, and government operations. The person in this position will need to have skill in reading, understanding, and interpreting land descriptions, as well as the ability to convey complex laws and technical information to the public in a clear and concise manner. An expertise in records research and report writing are also desirable. This position will also require the ability to understand water uses, measurements, and issues.
Water Right Investigations and Analysis
- Analysis of water use, availability, and management
- Water management data gathering, analysis and presentation.
- Scientific investigations regarding water resources
- Water Distribution Project
- Public Assistance, complaints, and dispute resolution
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
The specialist performs a variety of other professional and technical duties in support of Division and Regional Office operations. This includes activities such as attending training and educational programs, meetings, and conferences; representing the Department to local groups and communities; and reviewing and commenting on Division administrative and technical policies and procedures. Completes administrative functions including providing input on regional office annual operations plan, work plans, budgets, development plans, and other related duties as assigned. Participates on teams for hiring regional office personnel. Serves as acting regional/deputy regional manager as requested. Participates in annual performance appraisal process.
What are some benefits that you can expect from work at DNRC?
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
- Health Coverage
- Retirement Plans
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.
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
TIP: When attaching your resume, cover letter and other material, you must mark the attachments as “relevant”
If you have any questions regarding this position, please email Kellie Richetti @ Krichetti@mt.govQualifications – External
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or the natural sciences.
- One year of experience with water-resource management.
- Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.
Required knowledge:
- Knowledge of Montana water law, relevant interstate and reserved water compacts, rules, policies, procedures, and government operations.
- Knowledge of water resource-related management theories, principles, concepts and practices; field investigation methodologies; and negotiation, and conflict resolution techniques.
- Knowledge of local water availability, water use practices, water measurement techniques and devices, irrigation methods and designs, public land ownership records, court decrees and orders.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal governmental administrative processes.
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: $ 56,264.00 – 56,264.00 Yearly
Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)
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, 5 % of the Time
Primary Location: Lewistown
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Oct 27, 2023, 6:43:49 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Nov 28, 2023, 7:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume
Contact Name: Kellie l Richetti | Contact Email: krichetti@mt.gov | 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.
