Division Administrator - Water Resources

Job Description
- Division Administrator
- Water Resources )

Position Title:

Division Administrator
- Water Resources - )

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.

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.

• Stewardship
• Service
• Credibility
• Engagement

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.

• 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.

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…