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This position is responsible for applying hydrologic expertise and supporting the Water Resource Division (WRD), Compact Implementation Program (CIP), and the State’s compact obligations as described in Montana’s federal and tribal water compacts (85-20, MCA). The incumbent will perform a variety of hydrological and agricultural related hydrologic analyses and technical duties. The incumbent must have a team-oriented approach and be comfortable communicating with engineers, hydrologists, stakeholders, and tribal and federal partners. The position requires the incumbent to exercise considerable discretion, creativity, professional judgment, and work independently and effectively with minimal supervision.

The Nonpoint Source & Wetlands Section Supervisor plays an instrumental role in guiding programs and staff within their section. This position must maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, administers the federal 319 grant program, oversees contracted services, and drives on-the-ground actions to restore and protect Montana waterbodies. The successful applicant will be responsible for the implementation of agency, division, and bureau direction and the oversight of day-to-day operations of the programs within their section. This position leads staff to accomplish goals by clearly and effectively communicating priorities and expectations to personnel, develops and coordinates annual work plans with personnel, provides meaningful and timely feedback to personnel, manages personnel, implements the professional growth matrix, and aligns operations with DEQ strategic plans. This position works with its Bureau Chief to establish direction, identify strategy, inform of interest/controversy, and assess effectiveness of operations. Other responsibilities include: implementing policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and continuous business process improvement; managing program funding in compliance with the statutory and funding source requirements for the programs by setting fiscally responsible goals, monitoring budgets, and evaluating results; and developing stakeholder relationships and fostering communication among diverse interest groups regarding program activities with the intent of finding mutually beneficial solutions to problems.

Montana Dept. Natural Resources and Conservation Regional Engineers perform a broad variety of engineering analyses and technical duties for all programs within the DNRC Water Resources 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. This position performs an enjoyable mix of in-office technical analysis and field work.

Located in Montana’s largest city, the Billings engineer serves diverse counties, from the stunning Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains on the border of Yellowstone National Park to the prairies and badlands of the North Dakota border. 

This position has the opportunity to work on statewide projects and tasks in other areas, depending on interest, skills, and need. DNRC is committed to providing training and career advancement to staff, including attendance at state and national conferences, state-of-the-art modeling courses, and support to pursue professional interests.

This position is supervised by the Regional Engineer Supervisor and works closely with other DNRC regional engineers; with Floodplain, Dam Safety, and State Water Projects engineers and staff; and with DNRC hydrologists and water rights staff. Under the direction of the Regional Engineer Supervisor and Program Managers located in the central Helena office, the Regional Engineer enjoys diverse work experiences, including:
Working one-on-one with high hazard dam owners.
Using dam breach models to evaluate hazards below dams.
Reviewing hydrologic and hydraulic studies associated with floodplain mapping.
Assisting local communities with floodplain permit applications.
Providing engineering support and construction oversight on state-owned dam and canal rehabilitation projects.
Conducting field investigations and analysis to support wise local water right decisions.
The opportunity to make a difference and a genuine impact in the communities you serve.

This position requires travel, up to 25% of the time, which often involves field work. 

• Assist with preparation of Montana DNRC water right permits and change applications.
• Review of DNRC water right files, Water Resource Surveys, and Water Court documents and decisions.
• Data acquisition, compilation, and analysis in support of water resources or environmental projects.
• Geographic Information Systems analysis and mapping.
• Historical aerial imagery analysis and interpretation relating to historical water use.
• Perform site inspections relating to water rights, water resources, or environmental projects. Field work will include stream flow measurements, use of GPS to document conditions, install stream gages, well inspection and pumping tests, environmental baseline assessments, and more.
• Interface and communicating with state agencies including Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP); or Federal agencies like USFS, BLM, BOR, or others.
• Provide technical support and guidance to other technical staff and attorneys regarding water rights, water supply, and Water Court cases.

As Bureau Chief, the incumbent conducts a broad variety of administrative, managerial, technical engineering, fiscal, and supervisory duties necessary to plan, orchestrate, direct, oversee, and implement the activities of the Bureau.  The incumbent is responsible for establishing the bureau’s missions, goals, and objectives and for carrying out the statutory obligations of the bureau’s programs. 

The job functions listed below are a brief overview of the essential duties and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

• Program Management:This position directs and coordinates the program activities of the Water Operations Bureau including:
  • Developing and implementing program operating and administrative policies, short and long‑term plans and program objectives, priorities, strategies and goals with oversight of the Division Administrator.
  • Ensures program activities are consistent with the laws, rules and regulations.
  • Directs statutory enforcement activities and emergency actions for the programs when required and coordinates those activities with the division and department.
• Personnel Management:
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities following the state, federal and departmental policies and applicable laws in accordance with state and department personnel policies and procedures.
• Fiscal Management
  • The incumbent develops and monitors operational budgets for each program that may include state, federal and other funds to facilitate accomplishment of each program’s requirements and objectives.
• Legislative, Board, and Public Relations
  • Under oversight of the Division Administrator or where delegated, serves as a spokesperson for the Bureau with the legislature, members of the public, affected industry representatives and special interest organizations.

Position open until filled.

Programs provide services to local governments, state agencies for water and sewer projects in the State of Montana. Oversees program policies, program requirements, funding sources, budgets, data analysis and reporting requirements.

Position open until filled.

This is a modified position, and the recruitment is open to Training and Temporary Duty Assignments.  If you are a recent Engineering Degree graduate, Engineer in Training (EIT), or Engineering Intern (EI) that does not meet all of the minimum qualifications we encourage you to apply.  We will consider hiring a candidate with lower experience or education on a Training or Temporary Duty Assignment on a case-by-case basis. 

The Floodplain Mapping Engineering Specialist is responsible for supporting the completion of new flood hazard mapping studies, leading reviews and processing of map revisions, maintaining the state’s digital floodplain products portfolio, and providing niche technical assistance to communities and stakeholders.  The position’s duties include: leading tasks supporting prioritizing, scoping, deploying, and completing multiple floodplain mapping studies following FEMA’s RiskMAP lifecycle; coordinating with DNRC and FEMA contractors; performing technical reviews of map revisions and leading the mapping change process with FEMA’s contractors; and supporting the overall needs of the program. 

This position requires an extensive knowledge and proficiency of floodplain study hydrologic and hydraulic analyses methods and modeling, GIS software and databases, and FEMA’s RiskMAP program workflow, guidance, and standards. 

The above duties of the position are not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Position is open until filled.

This position coordinates natural resource and water quality protection operations and programs of the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC). This entails assessing the needs of the commission through research and analysis to assure that projects and programs meet the statutory objectives. Research and analysis including working with private citizens, local government, and non-profit organizations within the commission’s jurisdiction to improve programs and services. The position reviews local laws and land use ordinances and reports on these to the commission for discussion, debate, and policy/position actions that inform program operations outreach, education, and direct action, as directed by the commission. The position reports directly to the Executive Director of the commission.

The focus of this position relates to natural resource and water quality protection including, but not limited to nonpoint source pollution mitigation, such as stormwater and wastewater associated projects, and supporting aquatic invasive species prevention programs. It may include leading and supporting education and outreach, water quality/stormwater monitoring and protection projects, volunteer management, and the coordination and implementation of work plans and strategies to restore and protect ground and surface water resources in western Montana.

This position coordinates operations and communications for Western Montana Conservation Commission. This entails assessing the needs of the commission through research and analysis to assure that projects and programs meet the statutory objectives. Research and analysis including working with private citizens, local government, and non-profit organizations within the commission’s jurisdiction to improve programs and services. The position reviews local laws and land use ordinances and reports on these to the commission for discussion, debate, and policy/position actions that inform program operations outreach, education, and direct action, as directed by the commission. The position reports directly to the Executive Director of the commission.

The focus of this position relates to natural resource and water quality protection through oversight of commission communications. It may include communication plan development, grant writing, specific programmatic education and outreach support, coordination of regional water quality campaigns, commission communications (reports, newsletters, etc.), social media, website management, and graphic design. 

Position is open until filled.

This is your chance to join our growing team of wetland scientists!! Confluence Consulting Inc. has four wetland scientists, one of the largest wetland teams in the Rocky Mountain west, and are currently seeking an energetic, ambitious, technically capable, and outdoor fun-loving Sr. Wetland Scientist to join our team in Bozeman, Montana – dog lovers encouraged!! Confluence is an industry leader in the study, design and management of aquatic and natural resources. For the past 25 years we have provided services to government agencies, private landowners, non-profits, and A&E firms nationwide. Our multidisciplinary team of natural resource professionals develops innovative, effective, and streamlined solutions for any aquatic resource problem. The Sr. Wetland Scientist position is a permanent, salaried, full-time position.

Confluence maintains a fun and positive work environment in scenic Bozeman, MT. This position will be supervised by Rich McEldowney, PWS, Confluence’s Wetland Group Lead.