The Water Resources Division of DNRC is recruiting for a CSKT Compact Coordinator in the Compact Implementation Program. The Compact Program implements the state’s 18 distinct water right compacts with tribes and federal agencies. We provide technical assistance for water users and other state programs to help them plan for changes that Compacts may bring. We work with tribes and federal agencies to fulfill compact requirements for exchanging information and adaptive management, and we support advisory committees and boards.
The CSKT Compact Coordinator focuses on the water compact the State entered into with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and the United States and will work on a team with the Program Manager and two hydrologists based in Missoula.
Core Values of DNRC Water Resources Division
- Value People
- Stewardship
- Service
- Credibility
- Engagement
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR DNRC AND THE STATE OF MONTANA INCLUDE:
Live and play in Missoula Montana which is located in the beautiful Northern Rocky Mountains. 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.
- Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth – 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.
- State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.
- Military leave: Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase or 2.5% (whichever is greater) effective July 1, 2026.
JOB DUTIES
As CSKT Compact Coordinator, you will:
- Provide technical assistance to the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board (FRWMB), a first-in-the nation unified state-tribal entity that administers water use on the Flathead Reservation. You will work together with CSKT and other DNRC staff to help FRWMB succeed.
- Build relationships and promote collaboration with tribal and federal partners and within DNRC. This work involves understanding, communicating, and addressing the interests of DNRC staff, CSKT, and federal partners when developing solutions.
- Manage implementation projects including developing project plans, prioritizing tasks, ensuring the right work gets done at the right time, recognizing the contributions of others, and sharing lessons learned after project completion. Projects could include supporting enhancements to the Water Rights database and developing systems for DNRC and FRWMB shared responsibilities.
- Communicate technical information in plain language for diverse internal and external audiences. You will identify knowledge gaps and create messages with input from other DNRC staff to address information needs and serve the public.
- Research water rights (including those based in state-law and federal reserved rights) and review legal and technical documents to develop answers to complex compact implementation questions.
- Develop solutions to compact implementation challenges in collaboration with internal and external teams.
- This position requires occasional travel and attendance at evening meetings.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
If you are the right person for this opportunity, you will have the following knowledge, skills or abilities:
- Interest in and commitment to water resource management, public service, and working effectively with tribes.
- Attention to detail and the ability to understand legal, policy, and technical documents and apply critical thinking to problem solving.
- Excellent plain language communications skills both written and verbal. Ability to listen, organize, and convey technical information clearly and accurately to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to resolve conflict collaboratively to meet the needs of impacted parties, maintain working relationships, and serve the public.
- Expertise in planning and managing complex projects within agreed upon timelines, while working collaboratively with internal staff and external parties.
- Ability to ensure that the right people are in the right conversation at the right time and that each person has the information they need to collaborate effectively.
- Adaptability, patience, and the ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects.
- General knowledge of water rights based in state law, federal reserved water rights, US-Tribal Treaties, Indian history, major Indian law cases related to land and water use, and public right-to-know requirements.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Teams or closely related software and the ability to learn how to work in databases.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Alternative combinations of the education and experience listed below will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource management or related field, and
- 2 years of experience with shared governance or cooperative management, conflict resolution, communication, hydrology or other related experience.
Candidates who can demonstrate a strong mix of the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and experience listed above are highly desirable.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:
- Cover Letter – In your cover letter, describe how your education, knowledge, and skills have prepared you for this position.
- Resume – include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment.
Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.
Tip: When attaching your resume and cover letter, you must mark the attachments as “RELEVANT”, or we will be unable to view your documents.
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: $ 75,025.60 – 75,025.60 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, 10 % of the Time
Primary Location: Missoula
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Sep 18, 2025, 12:48:45 AM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Oct 9, 2025, 7:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume
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.
