Deputy Division Administrator - Water Resources

Job Description
- Deputy Division Administrator
- Water Resources )

Position Title:

Deputy Division Administrator
- Water Resources - (  )

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Water Resources Division, is seeking an experienced and collaborative Deputy Division Administrator to help lead one of the state’s most critical natural resource programs. This executive ‑ level position plays a key role by providing strategic leadership for statewide water programs, overseeing complex division operations and budgets, and representing the Division and Department before the Legislature, Governor’s Office, tribal governments, local governments, federal agencies, and stakeholders.

In this role, you will:

• Oversee division operations and business functions for a 150 ‑ FTE division with a biennial budget of more than $60 million, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with DNRC’s mission and state requirements.
• Provide executive ‑ level leadership to staff by supervising managers and bureau chiefs, directing HR functions in coordination with DNRC leadership and HR, and supporting succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Lead water programs and policy by co ‑ developing division strategy, guiding implementation of statewide water management policies and procedures, and helping shape legislation that affects water users across Montana.
• Represent the Division on complex, high ‑ visibility issues by working directly with policy makers, partners, and stakeholders and providing expert testimony and recommendations on proposed regulations and legislation.
• Serves as a member of the Department's executive leadership team, sharing responsibility for strategic direction, policy development, organizational performance, and coordinated implementation of Department and Division priorities.

If you enjoy guiding teams through complexity, balancing competing interests, and shaping how public policy is put into practice, this role offers a rare opportunity to influence Montana’s water future.

• Stewardship
• Service
• Credibility
• Engagement

The selected candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

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:

• Strong leadership experience overseeing programs, staff, and budgets in a regulatory, public administration, or natural resources setting.
• Demonstrated success managing operations, setting priorities, and making well ‑…