Bring Your Engineering Expertise to Montana’s Communities!
What if your next engineering role combined hands-on floodplain technical analysis, direct community impact, and the opportunity to protect Montana families and businesses from flood risk? The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a skilled Floodplain Technical Assistance Engineer to manage and implement our statewide engineering technical assistance program. If you’re an accomplished engineer who thrives on complex water resources challenges, values meaningful public service, and wants to make a direct difference for Montana communities, this is your opportunity to build a career that matters.
Why You Should Apply
- Lead a Statewide Program: Direct Montana’s Technical Assistance Program, which supports responsible floodplain development across the state.
- Technical Excellence Meets Strategic Impact: Apply advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to floodplain management needs across the state.
- Help shape the future of Montana’s floodplain management: Help set best practices in responsible floodplain development across the state while balancing the need for clear and efficient permitting practices.
- Work-Life Balance in Big Sky Country: With only 15% travel and telework eligibility, enjoy more time for the Montana outdoor lifestyle you love while leading work that matters.
Core Values of DNRC Water Resources Division
- Valuing People
- Stewardship
- Service
- Credibility
- Engagement
Candidates with Montana professional engineering license may be eligible for a $6000 sign-on bonus for employees new to state government or rehires who have not worked for the State in the previous 6 months.The selected candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.
This position is eligible for a 2.5% base pay increase effective July 2026.
This position is being posted at the same time as a similar position: State Floodplain Engineer Supervisor. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for both positions.
Essential Functions (Major Duties and Responsibilities)
As the Floodplain Technical Assistance Engineer, you will:
- Review and evaluate floodplain permit applications to ensure engineering sufficiency and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including analysis of FEMA map revisions (CLOMR/LOMR) and related engineering submittals.
- Provide technical consultation and support for communities and local floodplain administrators on project design, permitting, and regulatory requirements, including conducting site visits and performing or reviewing engineering analyses.
- Develop and maintain program guidelines, standard operating procedures, and training materials for the DNRC Engineering Floodplain Technical Assistance program, ensuring consistency and clarity in technical assistance delivery.
- Serve as the primary state liaison with FEMA and project applicants for all floodplain mapping revisions, overseeing review processes, facilitating communication, and helping resolve technical or compliance issues.
- Manage records and reporting related to mapping changes, permit actions, and technical requests, ensuring accurate documentation and archiving for state and federal programs.
- Deliver technical assistance through community engineering programs and manage mapping alterations and revisions for Montana communities.
- Analyze and interpret the results of new or revised floodplain studies for regulatory compliance, technical adequacy, and mapping accuracy. Support procurement and management of engineering contracts for studies and mapping projects.
- Contribute to updates of state model floodplain ordinances and interpret changing engineering statutes and policies, supporting communities in their adoption and implementation.
Benefits
Live and work in your choice of Montana communities – this position may be based in Billings, Missoula, Kalispell, Lewistown, Havre, Glasgow, Helena, or Bozeman. Each location offers unique opportunities and natural beauty, with Montana providing abundant recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking.
Additional benefits include:
- Work/life balance with flexible schedules and telework eligibility.
- Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.
- Longevity pay with continued state service.
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
- Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
- Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness – may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
- Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.
- Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
Minimum Qualifications
Alternative combinations of the education and experience listed below will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent
- Three (3) years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in engineering with emphasis on hydrology and/or hydraulics.
- Montana Professional Engineer (PE) license, or Engineering Intern certification with ability to obtain PE licensure within one year of hire.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Montana.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
If you are the ideal candidate for this opportunity, you will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Certified Floodplain Manager certification.
- Practical knowledge and experience with floodplain studies and the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Familiarity with Montana’s floodplain regulations.
- Experience in hydrology, hydraulics, fluvial mechanics & geomorphology, and/or river restoration & remediation.
- Experience with technical/data requirements for floodplain development permits.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to present technical information clearly to varied audiences.
- Ability to work independently using professional engineering judgment to guide program activities during both regular operations and emergency situations.
Physical and Mental Requirements
- Duties include office work with field travel for site visits, project inspections, and meetings.
- Travel averages approximately 15% throughout Montana, with occasional out-of-town travel of up to one-week duration required periodically.
- May be required to travel to attend professional training, community meetings, and conferences both in-state and out-of-state.
- Occasional field work or site visits performed as needed, namely in response to flood events, possibly in adverse weather conditions and/or hazardous areas requiring knowledge of appropriate safety protocols.
How to Apply
Only online submissions are accepted. A complete state application is not required. However, applicants must initiate an application and attach both a cover letter and resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents, mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable.
- Cover Letter: Please explain how your education and experience help you meet the identified Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Share your passion for water resources engineering and public service, and describe what excites you about providing technical assistance for floodplain management to Montana’s communities.
- Resume: Include all work experience you have that would help you qualify for this position, including duties and dates of employment (month and year). Effective May 4, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.
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: $ 94,536.00 – 101,129.60 Yearly
Sign-On Bonus: This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus for qualifying employees, as described here, in the amount of $6,000
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, 15 % of the Time
Primary Location: Helena
Other Locations: Billings, Missoula, Kalispell, Lewistown, Bozeman, Havre, Glasgow
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Apr 18, 2026, 12:07:15 AM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): May 9, 2026, 7:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume
Contact Name: Lysandra Badilla | Contact Email: Lysandra.Badilla@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-438-0909
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.
