At DNRC we are passionate about ensuring that Montana’s land and water resources remain a benefit today and for future generations.
The incumbent for this position has the option to be located in the Helena, Havre or Bozeman area.
With this recruitment, we have the flexibility to hire either an Engineering Analyst or if you have your current PE License, we can hire you as a Professional Engineer. Wages depend on your education, experience and licensing. If you are not hired at the top pay rate, you have the ability to move up in our engineering pay levels.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. We empower employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. This position offers significant flexibility and autonomy while working within a fun and collaborative team environment. We want you to succeed, enjoy your career, and we will work hard to support your professional growth while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
This recruitment is open to a Training Assignment. If you are a recent Engineering Degree graduate, Engineer in Training (EIT), or Engineering Intern (EI) who does not meet all the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We will consider hiring a candidate with less experience or education on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the advertised starting salary, the Montana Legislature recently approved two pay increases. The first one is effective June 28, 2025, and the second is effective the following fiscal year.
Job Overview:
This position is responsible for providing a broad variety of engineering analysis and technical duties for all programs within the Water Resources Division (WRD or Division) including the engineering analysis and hydrologic information/services needed for dam safety regulation, floodplain administration, and state water project management. The incumbent will also assist with engineering analysis needed to make water right administration decisions.
The incumbent’s engineering work plan includes a collaborative effort between the engineer, regional engineer supervisor, and engineering program managers for the Water Operations and State Water Projects bureaus in Helena. Although the incumbent will work closely with other DNRC engineers, the position often requires the incumbent to work independently and work effectively without constant supervision.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
Engineering Duties:
This position performs advanced engineering evaluation of site-specific designs and permit applications, to assess the engineering integrity of proposals, and conducts inspections and monitoring of site-specific dams and permit applications, determining compliance with applicable laws and rules as they pertain to the WRD Dam Safety and Floodplain programs.
This position also performs similar engineering evaluations and analysis for the State Water Projects Bureau in the operation and rehabilitation of state-owned dams and canals. The incumbent plans and conducts engineering, hydrological, and hydraulic research, and studies in support of the WRD for new water rights permits, water resource management, water measurement, adjudication of water rights, and watershed analysis.
During the performance of the assigned duties, the incumbent uses the principals of civil engineering, agricultural engineering, field surveying, dam design and construction, construction management, hydrology, surface water hydraulics, computer modeling and analyses, soils science, materials testing, water delivery systems, water measurement devices, irrigation systems, and sound engineering judgment. Specific assigned tasks are as follows:
- State Water Projects Bureau
- WOB Dam Safety Regulatory Program
- WOB Floodplain Program
- Water Rights, Water Management, and Water Measurement
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Three professional references including your most recent supervisor.
For the complete job description, email Tracey.Thennis2@mt.gov.
HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Failure to attach the required material will result in your application being incomplete.
Benefits:
Montana offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hunting, as well as world class mountain biking and hiking.
These are just a few of our other benefits:
- Work/life balance with flexible schedules and partial telework available within the state of Montana.
- 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays. (Vacation days increase with continued state service)
- Longevity pay increases with continuous service.
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP – click here to learn more.
- Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics – click here to learn more.
- Choice between two different retirement plans: The Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. An optional 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan is also available to supplement your retirement.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness.
- Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
Military leave: Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): List the required education and experience required for the first day of work, including alternative methods of acquiring minimum qualifications.
- The incumbent must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, construction management, or a related engineering field.
- Two years of job-related experience.
- Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required:
- Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of civil engineering, hydrology, hydraulics and geotechnical engineering.
- Knowledge of the methods, and principles, for engineering investigations; fundamentals of dam and canal design, surface water hydrology and hydraulics and computer modeling programs; design, analysis, and application of irrigation diversion structures and delivery systems; hydrology and open-channel flow; Federal, State, and local laws and regulations as they relate to the Dam Safety and Floodplain Management programs.
- Skills needed to make sound and legally defensible decisions in a timely fashion; meet statutory deadlines; provide general project management; read and interpret construction plans, project manuals, maps, plats, and aerial photographs; compose, and review engineering reports, project bids, memorandums, and letters; and use a variety of surveying and water measurement equipment.
- Ability to use engineering judgement; use reason, logic, and creativity to identify and solve problems; apply engineering knowledge to make effective decisions and recommendations; communicate orally and in written form complex material or ideas in a logical sequence to individuals and groups that may not have technical backgrounds; prepare clear, logical reports summarizing analytical methods, results and recommendations; comprehend and apply statutes, rules and written policies; maintain effective, productive working relationships with colleagues, other professionals and the public; and work effectively as a team member.
- The incumbent should have familiarity with software to solve hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) problems. Knowledge of common irrigation practices, Montana water law, GIS software and GPS technology is desired.
- The incumbent must be a good technical writer, as this position will be required to write technical reports, memoranda, and letters.
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 recently complete 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: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.
Salary: $ 74,776.00 – 98,654.40 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
Job Type: Standard
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Primary Location: Helena
Other Locations: Bozeman, Havre
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Apr 28, 2025, 9:56:29 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): May 20, 2025, 7:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References
Contact Name: Tracey Thennis | Contact Email: Tracey.Thennis2@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-444-0513
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.
