Compliance Specialist 3 - New Appropriations Program Specialist

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Telehealth

Paid leave

Job summary

The State of Montana is seeking a Compliance Specialist 3 for the New Appropriations Program in Helena to connect statewide priorities with day-to-day DNRC operations. You will research questions, develop solutions, and improve program implementation by collaborating with regional staff, legal counsel, hydrologists, and experts to ensure accurate application of requirements.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a natural resource field and at least four years of resource

Qualifications

• Analytical judgment: Evaluate scientific information, technical reports, facts, and legal records to develop solutions and support defensible decisions.
• Clear communication: Write concise guidance, explain complex requirements, and provide effective presentations and training.
• Collaboration: Work constructively with regional staff, program leadership, legal counsel, and technical specialists.
• Organization: Coordinate projects, manage competing priorities, and follow through on detailed work.
• Technical proficiency: Use office software and databases.
• Willingness to learn: Build or deepen knowledge of the Montana Water Use Act, rules, and related practices.

Responsibilities

• Support regional offices by interpreting water rights laws, administrative rules, policies, and procedures and helping resolve complex program questions.
• Review technical reports, decision documents, and other work products for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program requirements.
• Research scientific and legal information, evaluate recurring issues, and recommend practical improvements to policies, procedures, and program tools.
• Develop and deliver training that helps staff apply new and existing requirements with confidence.
• Improve forms, manuals, checklists, and public information materials to make program processes clearer and more effective.
• Provide guidance on water rights databases, data entry requirements, and opportunities to improve database processes.
• Support specialized water rights work, including water reservations, compact reporting, and review of objections to permit and change applications.

Skills

Analytical judgment

Clear communication

Collaboration

Organization

Technical proficiency

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor’s degree in resource management or natural resource field

Job description

Job Description - Compliance Specialist 3 - New Appropriations Program Specialist (26142772)

Position Title: Compliance Specialist 3 - New Appropriations Program Specialist - (26142772)

Your Impact

Montana’s New Appropriations Program administers permitting for new water rights, changes to existing water rights, water reservations, and other water use matters. This position connects statewide program priorities with the day-to-day work of DNRC’s eight regional offices, helping ensure that requirements are applied accurately and consistently.

You will work with program leadership, regional staff, legal counsel, hydrologists, and other technical experts to research challenging questions, develop solutions, and improve program implementation. This is an opportunity to influence statewide practices through technical expertise, sound judgment, and strong working relationships.

What you’ll do

• Support regional offices by interpreting water rights laws, administrative rules, policies, and procedures and helping resolve complex program questions.


• Review technical reports, decision documents, and other work products for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program requirements.


• Research scientific and legal information, evaluate recurring issues, and recommend practical improvements to policies, procedures, and program tools.


• Develop and deliver training that helps staff apply new and existing requirements with confidence.


• Improve forms, manuals, checklists, and public information materials to make program processes clearer and more effective.


• Provide guidance on water rights databases, data entry requirements, and opportunities to improve database processes.


• Support specialized water rights work, including water reservations, compact reporting, and review of objections to permit and change applications.

What you bring

You enjoy working through complex questions and turning technical information into clear, useful guidance. You can balance statewide consistency with regional needs, explain your reasoning, and build productive relationships with people who bring different perspectives and areas of expertise.

Core Values of DNRC’s Water Resources Division

• Stewardship


• Service


• Credibility


• Engagement

The selected candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Why Helena? Why Montana?

• Helena is Montana’s capital city and a hub for government, healthcare, and outdoor adventure. It offers a small city feel with the amenities of a state capital. Residents enjoy short commutes, a walkable historic downtown, and a strong sense of community.


• Miles of nearby trails for hiking, biking, running, and dog walking.


• Easy access to rivers and lakes for fishing, paddling, boating, and swimming, plus skiing and snow sports within a short drive.


• A relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with four distinct seasons, vibrant local events, and thriving food and beverage scene.


• Montana is known for its wide open spaces, public lands, and tight knit communities. Helena offers the chance to live in a place people seek out for its landscapes and recreation, while doing work that directly shapes Montana’s future.

Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays). Vacation leave increases with years of service.

Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

Longevity pay with continued state service.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combinations of education and experience)

Bachelor’s degree in resource management or a natural resource field.

Minimum of four years of experience in a resource management field.

Preferred Experience: Coursework or experience in physical sciences, engineering, hydrology, natural sciences, or computer science is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analytical judgment: Evaluate scientific information, technical reports, facts, and legal records to develop solutions and support defensible decisions.


• Clear communication: Write concise guidance, explain complex requirements, and provide effective presentations and training.


• Collaboration: Work constructively with regional staff, program leadership, legal counsel, and technical specialists.


• Organization: Coordinate projects, manage competing priorities, and follow through on detailed work.


• Technical proficiency: Use office software and databases.


• Willingness to learn: Build or deepen your knowledge of the Montana Water Use Act, administrative rules, water rights programs, and related water resource practices.

Work Environment

Work is primarily in a professional office setting with frequent meetings and regular interaction with the public, legal counsel, WRD leadership, stakeholders, and other regulatory agencies.

Salary

37.54 - 37.54 Hourly 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

Employee Status

Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume

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.

Contact

Contact Name : Lysandra Badilla | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the 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.

E-Verify: 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. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/