Senior Water Master - Water Rights Judge in Court

Taleo; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 107,409,000 - 145,319,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid vacation & holidays

Family-friendly policies

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Montana Judicial Branch seeks a Senior Water Master to adjudicate water rights, conduct hearings, and issue decisions across basins. The role requires deep knowledge of water law and court procedures, with responsibilities including research, writing, and interagency coordination.

The position involves travel, potential evening/weekend hours, and collaboration with state agencies to ensure accurate records and enforce decrees. A one-year probationary period applies.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with water law experience.
• Current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of Montana; eligibility to practice before Montana courts.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate water rights in 32 basins, conduct hearings, and issue decisions.
• Prepare legal opinions; perform research and writing for complex matters.
• Represent Water Court in committee work and interagency collaborations.
• Organize water rights cases, calendars, and discovery; preside at hearings.
• Travel to hearing sites; ensure accuracy of minutes, records, and exhibits.
• Advise Chief Water Judge on proposed orders and memos.

Skills

Water law knowledge

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy/public speaking

Interpret aerial photographs

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

Job Description - Senior Water Master (26142418)

Position Title:

Senior Water Master - ( 26142418 )

The first review of applications will be October 7th, 2026. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position .

Three Professional References

Writing Sample

When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission t o provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

Job Overview:

This is highly responsible, advanced legal work in adjudicating water rights in specific basins for the Montana judicial system.Work includes legal research and writing, conducting hearings, mediations, and settlement conferences.

Work includes responsibility for making investigations of alleged water rights claims and holding hearings and issuing decisions to determine the validity of the most complex of water rights in 32 of the 85 basins.Additional senior level duties include acting as Water Court liaison with other agencies and task forces.Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Water Judge and is reviewed through conferences and analysis of written opinions.

Job Duties:(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed)

Represents the Water Court by participating in committee work to amend Montana Supreme Court Claim Examination Rules; represents the Water Court on the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation committee in the design and review of computerized database for statewide water rights.

Reviews decrees prior to issuance.

Organizes water rights claims, objections and notices to appear into cases, consolidates cases when necessary, calendars and monitors cases, conducts status conferences and settlement conferences, enforces discovery.

Conducts trials, rules on admissibility of evidence, makes and writes decisions; drafts findings of fact conclusions of law and recommendations for review by the Chief Water Judge.Travels to hearing sites and presides at hearings; is responsible for the accuracy of court minutes, records, exhibits and witness lists including accurate indexing and recording of the proceedings before the Water Master.

Resolves objections and determines water rights; determines abandonment of water rights.

Conducts site inspections at the request of parties.

Assists District courts in the administration of decreed water rights; requests assistance of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in organizing water record information; designs and drafts water right ditch lists and billing records.

Advises and assists the Chief Water Judge in review of proposed orders and memorandum opinions.

Consults with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation concerning Water Court claims, statements of objection, and post decree technical assistance.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Thorough knowledge of federal and state water law, water use, water rights, and legal precedents.

Considerable knowledge of legal research.

Considerable knowledge of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Supreme Court Water Claim Examination Rules, and Water Court Procedures.

Ability to prepare legal opinions and other legal papers and documents.

Ability to make effective legal presentations as required by the position.

Ability interpret aerial photographs.

Skill in the operation of a personal computer.

Qualifications:(Any combination of training and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, abilities and skills listed above.An example of an acceptable qualification for this position is:)

Graduation from an accredited law school supplemented by thorough experience in the practice of water law.

Licensure and Certification Requirements:

Possession of a current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the State of Montana; eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Montana. Montana driver’s license; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.

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 : Not Applicable

Salary: $

44.10 - 44.10 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

Number of Openings

Number of Openings

: 1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Posting Date

Posting Date

: Sep 24, 2026, 2:10:16 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume, References

Contact Name : Mandi Edlin | 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.