Statewide Water Resources Division Leader

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation expense reimbursement

Generous paid leave

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Telehealth

Longevity pay

Job summary

Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) seeks a Division Administrator for Water Resources to lead a 150‑person team and oversee a multi‑million dollar budget. This executive role shapes statewide water policy, rights administration, and infrastructure programs.

The role requires senior leadership experience, strong budgeting, and the ability to coordinate with the Governor’s Office, legislators, tribes, and local governments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, law, environmental science, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in regulatory or program administration, water or natural resource management, and related fields.
• Senior‑level leadership experience with staff supervision, oversight of multiple programs, and significant budget management responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and management for WRD, setting goals and performance expectations.
• Lead a highly skilled team through change and complex issues with public and stakeholder interest.
• Oversee budgeting and finance, defend the division budget, and align staffing with priorities.
• Advise DNRC leadership and Governor’s Office on statewide water resource policy and issues.
• Represent the Department before legislative committees, federal agencies, tribes, and local governments.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Policy development

Public speaking

Change management

Water policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, law, environmental science, or related field

Job description

Job Description - Division Administrator - Water Resources (26142199)

Position Title:

Division Administrator - Water Resources - ( 26142199 )

This position is open until filled

Lead the future of water in Big Sky Country!

Montana’s rivers, lakes, and aquifers power our farms and ranches, communities, industry, and world-class outdoor recreation. The Water Resources Division Administrator sits at the center of how this resource is managed, protected, and shared for current and future generations.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) is recruiting a visionary and strategic executive to lead the Water Resources Division (WRD), a team of approximately 150 professionals with a biennial budget exceeding 60 million dollars. This is a rare opportunity to shape statewide water policy and operations in one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes.

Executive leadership with statewide impact

The Water Resources Division Administrator:

Provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and management for WRD, setting division goals, priorities, and performance expectations in coordination with DNRC leadership.

Leads a highly skilled and deeply knowledgeable team through change, evolving demands, and complex issues with significant public and stakeholder interest.

Oversees implementation and enforcement of the Montana Water Use Act and administration of water rights statewide.

Leads programs in water rights administration and adjudication, groundwater and surface water management, conflict resolution, dam safety, floodplain management, and state water projects (22 dams and approximately 250 miles of irrigation canals).

Directs division budgeting and finance, including formulating, presenting, and defending the division budget and aligning staffing and resources with priorities.

Advises the DNRC Director, Deputy Director, and Governor’s Office on statewide water resource policy, priorities, and emerging issues.

Represents the Department and the State of Montana before legislative committees, federal agencies, tribes, local governments, and diverse stakeholder groups.

If you are energized by leading people, navigating complexity, and serving the public at the intersection of science, law and policy, this role offers both challenge and the chance to make a statewide impact.

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.

In Helena and the surrounding area, you will find:

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 public administration, law, environmental science, or a related field.

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in regulatory or program administration, water or natural resource management, and related fields.

Senior ‑ level leadership experience with staff supervision, oversight of multiple programs, and significant budget management responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Successful candidates will bring:

Knowledge of water law, hydrology, and water policy in the Western U.S. is desirable; however, success in this role depends more on strong leadership, prioritization, and the ability to direct subject-matter experts.

Demonstrated success leading complex, multi ‑ disciplinary teams and managing change in high ‑ visibility environments.

Skill in strategic planning, policy development, and translating legislative intent into practical programs and procedures.

Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with legislators, tribes, federal partners, local governments, water users, and other stakeholders.

Strong communication skills, including public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, negotiation, and clear, accessible writing on technical topics.

Work is primarily in a professional office setting with frequent meetings and regular interaction with the public, legislators, legal counsel, DNRC leadership, the Governor’s Office, stakeholders, and other regulatory agencies, along with periodic travel for meetings, hearings, and events.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit the following via the State of Montana Careers site:

Cover letter describing your interest in this position and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications.

Resume or CV.

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. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here: E-Verify Website

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: $

130,680.00 - 130,680.00 Yearly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible 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

Primary Location

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

Posting Date

Posting Date

: Aug 28, 2026, 5:12:07 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name : Tracey Thennis | 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.