Environmental Scientist

Position Title:

Environmental Scientist 3 )

Division Overview:
The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), administratively attached to the State's Attorney's Office at the Montana Department of Justice, is responsible for recovering damages for natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances and oil and implementing natural resource restoration with the recovered funds. The NRDP has 12 full‑time employees and was created in 1990 to prepare and litigate the State’s natural resource damage lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) for injury to natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB).

The State has also initiated and settled other lawsuits, resulting in additional settlement funds for restoration activities at other sites.

The NRDP is responsible for preparing natural resource damage (NRD) assessments and negotiations/litigation pursuant to federal and state laws to recover damages for injuries caused by hazardous substance releases, and for developing and implementing natural resource restoration plans that guide the expenditure of recovered damages. This position is an Environmental Scientist Specialist in the NRDP’s Helena office, responsible for conducting natural resource damage assessments and restoration.

Approximately 50% of the time is devoted to assessment and new claims work, and 50% to restoration, though these percentages may change with the time of year and project progress.

• Conduct natural resource damage assessments, including quantification of injuries from hazardous substance releases.
• Apply knowledge of fate and transport of environmental contaminants and the impacts of hazardous substances and oil on natural resources.
• Develop assessments and coordinate with co‑trustees, stakeholders, and agencies overseeing remediation.
• Support NRDP legal staff in developing the natural resource damage claim and negotiating with responsible parties.
• Develop restoration plans and implement projects in accordance with final restoration plans, including project development, technical oversight of design and construction, and project monitoring and maintenance.
• Perform public outreach and coordinate with stakeholders, permitting agencies, and project partners (nonprofit partners, local government entities, collaborating state agencies, landowners, etc.).
• Report to the Environmental Program Manager and may receive work assignments from the Program’s Chief Legal Counsel or Program Administrator.
• Oversee NRDP contracts with engineers, scientists, subject matter experts, construction contractors, local governments, non‑profits and other contractors performing work for the Program.

• Bachelor’s degree in physical, earth, or life sciences, engineering, or similar.
• Four years of directly related experience.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays. Health insurance, paid leave & holidays, retirement plan. The organization participates in E‑Verify.

Hourly pay: $43.74 – $44.76. Telework:
Not eligible. Travel:
Yes, 25 % of the time. Shift: Day. Full‑time, regular schedule.

Minorities are under‑represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

The State of Montana 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.

Rylee Much – Email: DOJCSDHR – Phone: 406‑444‑5528