Local recruitment: Natural Resource Economist

• Job ID: 3031380
• Location: Bismarck, ND
• Salary Range: From 6800.00 To 9800.00 Monthly
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Closing Date: 9/25/2025

Are you passionate about the management and development of natural resources? Do you understand that water is one of our most valuable and important resources? If you want to be part of a dedicated and talented team that works toward a collective mission to responsibly manage North Dakota’s water needs and risks for the people’s benefit. – then this employment opportunity might be for you. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking a Resource Economist to serve the citizens of our state as a part of Team ND.

DWR offers rewarding work opportunities with a competitive employee benefits package including a fully paid family health insurance plan, paid annual and sick leave, excellent retirement plan options, volunteer insurance options, a flexible work schedule, and more!

The salary range for this position is $6,800 to $9,800 per month (dependent upon experience). 
 

Summary of Work

Primary responsibilities involve planning, developing, and executing financial analyses, economic analyses, life cycle cost analyses and capital improvement planning reviews pertaining to various types of water development projects. Maintain tools, guidance documents and assist political subdivisions in their understanding and application of economic and financial cost-share application requirements. Conduct research and data analyses as applicable for agency decision making and communications. Represent the agency in a variety of venues and as a subject matter expert.

Duties and Tasks

• Plan, develop, execute, and review economic analyses for flood control, water conveyance, and other water development projects as directed by policy. This includes maintaining and updating the ND Guidance for Economic Analysis of Flood Control and Water Conveyance Projects and associated technical tools to conduct those analyses.
• Plan, develop, execute, and review life cycle cost analyses for water supply, and other water development projects as directed by policy. This includes maintaining and updating the ND Guidance for Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Water Supply Projects and associated technical tools to conduct those analyses. 
• Review capital improvement plans for water supply, and other water development projects as directed by policy. This includes maintaining and updating the ND Guidance for Basic Asset Inventory and Assessment of Water Supply Projects and associated technical tools to conduct those analyses.
• Provide economic analysis and life cycle cost analysis results to the Director and State Water Commission as part of the agency’s project prioritization efforts and cost-share program project review process.
• Conduct natural resource management and development planning, with emphasis on financial requirements for project implementation.
• Analyze and evaluate the potential economic impacts of proposed natural resource development projects, programs, or policies on people, the environment, the agency, and the state. 
• Analyze data, develop conclusions, and formulate recommendations to aid in prioritization of projects that benefit the state.
• Coordinate and manage the development of special studies to improve management of water resources, support decision-making, and litigation.
• Develop and coordinate related public involvement and review programs.
• Assist with compiling statewide water project and program funding needs – to be used in agency biennial budgeting cycles and Water Development Plans.
• Represent the agency at public, user group, and interagency committee meetings dealing with natural resource management; and work with planning boards, natural resource boards, advisory committees, and other groups and agencies involved in natural resource planning at local, state, regional, federal, and international levels.
• Prepare technical reports, letters, and other documents.
• Some travel and overnight lodging may be required to attend, conduct, and participate in various meetings or events.
   

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in natural resource economics, or a field closely related to the responsibilities of the position, and two years of work experience utilizing economic analyses methodologies and techniques. A master’s degree could substitute for up to 2 years of work experience if found to be relevant to the position advertised.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s or Ph.D. degree in an economics-focused discipline. 
• Three or more years work experience conducting economic analyses related to public infrastructure projects. 

About Team ND

“Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures

Please note that the Department of Water Resources is not enrolled in E-Verify and does not provide sponsorships for employment.

Applications will ONLY be accepted online through the ND PeopleSoft System.

State of ND employees should access the announcement and application by signing into their ND PeopleSoft account at: https://www.cnd.nd.gov/psp/strp/?cmd=login, clicking on “Careers,” and selecting “View All Jobs” in the drop-down menu.

Applicants who are not employees of the State of North Dakota can access the announcement and application by visiting http://www.nd.gov/hrms/jobs/annoucements.asp

Application materials must reach this office by 11:59 pm on the closing date.

In addition to the online application, the following is also required:

• Cover letter (addressed to Human Resources)
• Resume
• Copy of college transcripts; and
• The name, address, and phone number of three (3) professional references (no letters of reference please).

Application materials will be scored based on a 100-point job-related personnel system.

Applications should include information that directly addresses how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and a summary of work. It is very important to be thorough and detailed in all application materials.

Applicants who experience difficulties during the application process should contact recruiter@nd.gov or 701.328.3290.

For questions regarding this position’s duties or requirements, please contact Missy Schmidt, HR Business Partner at 701.328.2751 or mkschmidt@nd.gov

TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888.

For more Team ND benefit information, please see https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.