New Appropriations Program Specialist
State of Montana
New Appropriations Program Specialist
State of Montana
Montana state government
Help shape how Montana administers water rights. Bring your analytical skills, natural resource experience, and collaborative approach to work that supports consistent, well-informed decisions across the state.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a collaborative New Appropriations Program Specialist to join the Water Rights Bureau. In this role, you will help staff navigate complex water rights issues, translate laws and policies into practical guidance, and strengthen the processes used to administer new water rights and changes to existing rights.
Your Impact
Montana’s New Appropriations Program administers permitting for new water rights, changes to existing water rights, water reservations, and other water use matters. This position connects statewide program priorities with the day-to-day work of DNRC’s eight regional offices, helping ensure that requirements are applied accurately and consistently.
You will work with program leadership, regional staff, legal counsel, hydrologists, and other technical experts to research challenging questions, develop solutions, and improve program implementation. This is an opportunity to influence statewide practices through technical expertise, sound judgment, and strong working relationships.
What you’ll do
Your primary focus will be supporting consistent statewide program implementation and providing technical guidance. Key responsibilities\:
Support regional offices by interpreting water rights laws, administrative rules, policies, and procedures and helping resolve complex program questions.
Review technical reports, decision documents, and other work products for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program requirements.
Research scientific and legal information, evaluate recurring issues, and recommend practical improvements to policies, procedures, and program tools.
Develop and deliver training that helps staff apply new and existing requirements with confidence.
Improve forms, manuals, checklists, and public information materials to make program processes clearer and more effective.
Provide guidance on water rights databases, data entry requirements, and opportunities to improve database processes.
Support specialized water rights work, including water reservations, compact reporting, and review of objections to permit and change applications.
What you bring
You enjoy working through complex questions and turning technical information into clear, useful guidance. You can balance statewide consistency with regional needs, explain your reasoning, and build productive relationships with people who bring different perspectives and areas of expertise.
Core Values of DNRC’s Water Resources Division
Valuing People
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.
BenefitsInclude\:
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.
Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457b Plan).
Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
Longevity pay with continued state service.
Minimum Qualifications(or equivalent combinations of education and experience)
Bachelor’s degree in resource management or a natural resource field.
Minimum of four years of experience in a resource management field.
Preferred Experience\: Coursework or experience in physical sciences, engineering, hydrology, natural sciences, or computer science is desirable.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities\:
Successful candidates will bring\:
Analytical judgment\: Evaluate scientific information, technical reports, facts, and legal records to develop solutions and support defensible decisions.
Clear communication\: Write concise guidance, explain complex requirements, and provide effective presentations and training.
Collaboration\: Work constructively with regional staff, program leadership, legal counsel, and technical specialists.
Organization\: Coordinate projects, manage competing priorities, and follow through on detailed work.
Technical proficiency\: Use office software and databases.
Willingness to learn\: Build or deepen your knowledge of the Montana Water Use Act, administrative rules, water rights programs, and related water resource practices.
Work Environment
Work is primarily in a professional office setting with frequent meetings and regular interaction with the public, legal counsel, WRD leadership, stakeholders, and other regulatory agencies.
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.
E-Verify\: 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, https\://www.e-verify.gov/
Montana state government
The State of Montana administers statewide public programs and enforces state law for residents, businesses and communities across the state. Its agencies handle public health, transportation and natural resources, alongside licensing, tax collection and public safety. Elected executive offices, the Legislature and the courts carry out separate roles in making laws, running services and resolving legal disputes. Public programs operate through state budgets, with general revenue and dedicated funds allocated across government functions under legislative oversight. Montana became a state in 1889, and its government is headquartered in Helena, Montana.
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