Compliance Specialist 3 (57076,57069)

Shape Montanas Water Future -- And Elevate Your Compliance Career

What if your next role lets you drive statewide water rights quality train and mentor experts across Montana and safeguard one of the states most vital natural resources every single day The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Water Resources Division is recruiting two Compliance Specialist 3 positions to champion statewide water rights quality control and ensure consistent program implementation for the Adjudication Enforcement & Distribution team.

If you are a detaildriven natural resources professional who loves turning complex law and data into clear guidance enjoys coaching others and wants your work to matter far beyond your desk this position offers the chance to leave a lasting mark on how Montanas water is administered.

Why You Should Make the Move

Lead statewide water rights

• Serve as the Divisions goto expert for water rights quality control ensuring accurate consistent implementation of the Montana Water Use Act across regional offices and programs.

• Create and manage a statewide quality review process that strengthens trust in DNRCs water rights records and decisions.

Be the trainer coach and connector

• Design and deliver training for regional staff supervisors and managers on statutes rules database tools and GIS mapping.
• Update and maintain guidance manuals onboard new staff and help others grow their skills through mentoring and targeted remedial training.

Turn complex law into practical acti

• Interpret laws policies court orders and program requirements then translate them into solutions staff and the public can actually use.
• Develop and implement public information campaigns newsletters and presentations to increase awareness of water right requirements.

Shape systems not just tasks

• Help design and test improvements to the statewide water rights database and GIS tools ensuring they work in the real world.
• Spot inconsistencies identify policy gaps and recommend new procedures that improve efficiency and fairness across the state.

Core Values of DNRC Water Resources Division

• Value People

• Stewardship

• Service

• Credibility

• Engagement

The selected candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

This position is eligible for a $1.00/hour base pay increase effective July 2026.

This position is generally based in Helena but alternative DNRC work locations within Montana may be considered and approved on a casebycase basis.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

As the Compliance Specialist 3 for the Adjudication Enforcement & Distribution bureau you will focus on statewide quality control training monitoring and program support:

• Provide technical assistance and training to regional staff supervisors managers and bureau leadership on statutes policies procedures GIS mapping and water right database tools ensuring consistent and accurate work products that comply with law rule court orders and policy.

• Develop deliver and update program guidance training and manuals; monitor work across regional offices; and maintain a quality control review plan and schedule that tracks progress toward bureau goals.

• Identify data policy and procedural issues; recommend and implement solutions (including remedial training and process changes); and serve on database teams to improve systems test enhancements and support staff in using updated tools.

• Lead public information and outreach efforts through newsletters presentations and other communication tools to increase understanding of water rights requirements and support timely consistent responses to complex inquiries.

• Perform special projects assist with budgeting and bureau planning represent the program at meetings and conferences and provide backup to the Program Supervisor on assigned management duties.

Benefits

Live and work in Helena Montana which offers a unique blend of opportunities and natural beauty situated between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Montana offers abundant recreational opportunities including camping fishing hunting mountain biking and hiking.

Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance with flexible schedules and telework eligibility.

• Generous paid leave (vacation sick holidays) with vacation leave increasing with service.

• Longevity pay with continued state 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 457(b) Plan).

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.

• Career progression professional development and state employee discounts.

• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

Alternative combinations of the education and experience listed below will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Bachelors degree in environmental sciences natural resource management or a related field.

• Experience in water resource administration including water rights teaching/training database structure and development analysis and testing program evaluation and policy development

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

If you are the right person for this opportunity you will have the following knowledge skills and abilities:

Technical and program knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of natural resource management and program administration Montana water rights adjudication the Montana Water Use Act Supreme Court claim examination rules and related court orders.
• Knowledge of Montana Code Annotated and Administrative Rules of Montana related to water rights examination methodologies procedures and comparison standards.
• Familiarity with water use practices in Montana (domestic irrigation stock mining municipal commercial hydropower).
• Strong understanding of GIS technology water right database structure and applications document storage and retrieval systems and common software applications.

Analytical training and communication skills

• Skill in composing and editing policies reports and guidance; reading and interpreting maps plats and aerial photographs; and applying math to compute flow rates volumes and surface areas.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and legal information clearly both verbally and in writing to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to train guide and oversee the work of others; organize workloads; establish schedules and deadlines; and work independently within program goals.

Relationship and leadership abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff managers the Water Court stakeholders and the public.
• Capacity to interpret and implement statutes rules laws and policies and to research and analyze facts to develop procedures for resolving controversial issues.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Work is primarily office-based with extensive computer data and document work.
• Some travel is required to regional offices community meetings trainings conferences and field reviews across Montana.
• The position requires sustained mental concentration analytical thinking and independent decision-making within program goals and legal frameworks.
• Occasional public speaking training delivery and facilitation of meetings with diverse stakeholders is required.

How to Apply

Only online submissions are accepted. A complete state application is not required. However applicants must initiate an application and attach both a cover letter and resume at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to attach required documents will result in the application being considered incomplete and not reviewed further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. When attaching documents mark each as Relevant to ensure they are viewable.

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter Describe how your knowledge skills and abilities will make you successful in this role.

Resume -- Include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position.