Water Law Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

First Review date is August 10, 2026

The Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a Lawyer (1) or (2) to join its legal team.  This position is part of the Department of Natural Resources Legal Unit in Helena, MT.  This position will primarily provide legal advice and representation to DNRC's Water Division and Central Services Division.

This Lawyer (1) or (2) position will collaborate with the legal team and work closely with DNRC program staff on a wide range of legal issues related to management of Montana's natural resources.  The incumbent will also:

•       Provide legal advice, conduct document review, and draft legal documents for DNRC staff and leadership related to legal issues and policy matters involving the DNRC's mission.
•       Represent DNRC in all phases of litigation and administrative proceedings that involve defending or pursuing affirmative actions related to DNRC's natural resource management responsibilities.
•       Perform a variety of additional duties which may include providing legal support for special projects, rulemaking, and legislative drafting.

Supervision:  It is not expected that this position will supervise staff.

Application and Selection Procedures:  Selection procedures to be used in evaluating applicants' qualifications may include, but are not limited to: an evaluation of education, work experience, applicant's writing sample, submitted materials, and an interview(s).

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:

• Cover Letter - Your cover letter should explain your interest and/or experience in water law, natural resource law, property law, administrative law and/or other relevant experience.
• Resume

• Writing Sample (legal brief, memorandum or another legal document drafted solely by you)

This position is included in a VEBA group.

TIP:  When attaching your resume, cover letter and other material, you must mark the attachments as "relevant".  

BENEFITS:

• 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.

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

For any questions regarding this position, please contact Becky Quick at 406-444-6673 or at Rebecca.Quick@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with course work in constitutional, natural resource, mineral, property, and administrative law. 
• Incumbent must become licensed to practice law in Montana within 6 months of hire.
• (Lawyer 1) A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice law in Montana within six months of hire.
• (Lawyer 2) A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of 2 years of practicing law and must be admitted to practice law in Montana within six months of hire.  The ideal Lawyer 2 candidate has relevant practice experience in water law, natural resource law, property law, or public agency law.

Legal analysis and problem solving:

• Knowledge of legal analysis principles, practices and theories.
• Knowledge of court and administrative hearing processes, procedures, and rules.
• Knowledge of legal research methods and techniques, including use of LEXIS and Westlaw.
• Ability to analyze difficult legal problems and synthesize a course of action to develop practical, defensible recommendations and action plans.
• Ability to develop strategies to resolve legal and regulatory problems, ensuring alignment with the Department's mission and statutory authority. 

Communication and collaboration:

• Ability to maintain a positive, cordial, and effective relationship throughout the Department.
• Advanced skills in written and oral communication tailored to legal, legislative, and public audiences, including courts, board members, legislators, Department staff, and Montana citizens.
• Builds productive working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to support the Department's objectives and to resolve issues collaboratively.

Administrative/Public Agency Law:

• Applies working knowledge of administrative, litigation, and legislative procedures in preparing, reviewing, and presenting legal and regulatory matters.
• Interprets and applies relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, case law, and constitutional provisions to support Department programs and decision-making.

Effective May 4, 2026, 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 -Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here,  E-Verify Website.E