Regional Manager

Regional Manager

This position is located in Billings, Montana.

Work Unit Overview :

The Regional Office represents the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation's Water Resources Division (WRD) in a designated area of Montana. The water resources Regional Office administers and enforces WRD programs and day-to-day operations within the assigned multi-county area. The water resources Regional Office's mission and responsibility is to promote and coordinate wise use and conservation of Montana's water resources, manage state-owned surface and groundwater resources, and implement and enforce programs according to state law, rules, and policies of the State of Montana and the Department.

Job Overview :

The Regional Manager performs supervisory, technical, and professional resource management work for our Billing's Regional Office of the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Water Resources Division. The incumbent has responsibility for staff oversight and implementation of programs for the Water Resources Division, including the Water Rights Bureau, Adjudication Bureau, Water Management Bureau, Water Operations Bureau, State Water Projects Bureau, and Compact Implementation Program. This includes approval and issuance of all water rights and related governmental actions within the region and managing personnel and resource needs to complete program responsibilities in the most efficient and effective manner. The Regional Manager is responsible for executing the laws, rules, and policies of these programs in coordination with the Division and appropriate Bureaus.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities) : These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Program Management :

The Regional Manager for DNRC's Billing's location, directs, manages, administers, and supervises water programs and activities for the Water Resources Division within assigned geographical region including water rights adjudication, new appropriations permits and changes, water rights complaints and enforcement, Montana Environmental Policy Act for water rights, state water projects, dam safety program, and support and coordination with the Compact Implementation Program. The Regional Manager conducts this work using knowledge of multiple areas of water resource management, federal and state laws, regulations and policies, personnel, and organizational management skills to achieve the desired division goals. Provide expert witness testimony at contested case hearings and district court proceedings on water related issues. The Regional Manager works with other regional managers, bureau chiefs, the WRD Deputy Administrator, and the WRD Administrator to develop solutions and inform decisions to complex issues to ensure accurate and consistent implementation of state law and policy.

Personnel and Fiscal Management :

Conducts recruitment and selection activities to screen, interview, select, and train employees assigned to Regional Office positions using knowledge of state, federal, and departmental personnel recruitment, and selection policies. Develops and conducts performance appraisals for employees and addresses personnel problems by exercising knowledge and professional expertise in personnel management and supervision. Develops proposed office budget, completes monthly budget projections, reviews fiscal information to determine if office is operating within budgetary limitations, takes corrective action where necessary to avoid exceeding approved budget, assists in directing regional office purchasing of office supplies and equipment, and making deposits of fee receipts.

Stakeholder and Public Engagement :

Serve as agency representative and technical advisor to various water user associations, county drought committees, water resource planning and conservation groups, irrigation districts, Reserved Water Right Compact Commission negotiations, and other committees to help develop cooperative approaches to complex water use issues.

Other Duties as Assigned :

This position performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Division and Department operations. This includes managing special projects, advising on water policy development, representing the Division or Department at various meetings and conferences, and participating in ongoing training and educational programs.

Supervision : This position supervises at least four staff.

Benefits :

Live in and play in Billings Montana which is known for its scenic beauty including the Yellowstone River, Beartooth Mountains, Bighorn Canyon and it's close proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Montana offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, hunting, as well as world class mountain biking and hiking.

These are just a few of our other benefits :

• Work / life balance with flexible schedules and partial telework available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays. (Vacation days increase with continued state service)
• Longevity pay increases with continuous service.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics
• Choice between two different retirement plans : The Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. An optional 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan is also available to supplement your retirement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness.
• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• Military leave : Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.

This position may be eligible for a statutory pay increase of $1.00 or 2.5% (whichever is greater) effective July 1, 2026.

All applicants must submit the following (only electronic materials will be accepted) :

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

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience) :

Alternate combinations of education and experience that have resulted in the acquisition of the above-listed Knowledge, Skills and Abilities may also be considered.

Special Information : Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recently complete 36 months.

Eligibility to Work : In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". The State of Montana does not sponsor.