Instream Flow Specialist Job Vacancy in State of Montana Helena, MT – Latest Jobs in Helena, MT

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Company Name : State of Montana
Location : Helena, MT
Position : Instream Flow Specialist

Job Description : Work Unit Overview: The Water Right Bureau administers the Montana Water Use Act under Title 85, Chapter 2, Montana Codes Annotated. This act provides for acquiring new water rights and changing existing water rights (the New Appropriations Program); and a centralized water right record system. Water rights administration activities include issuing and processing Provisional Water Use Permits, Interim Permits, Temporary Permits, Water Reservations, Notice of Completion of Groundwater Developments, Petitions for Basin Closure, Petitions for Controlled Groundwater Area, and Authorizations to Change Water Rights some involving leasing water rights for temporary changes and in stream flow. The Bureau is responsible for formulating policy to address water use violations and provides water rights direction and support to the Division’s eight regional offices. This position is located in Helena, MT.
Job Overview:
This position is funded through a grant from the Bonneville Power Administration’s Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (CBWTP) (administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or NFWF), and a partnership and funding from the Montana Department of Justice’s Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) and DNRC. This position reviews and process temporary instream flow water right change applications and renews existing temporary water right change authorizations submitted by CBWTP Qualified Local Entities (QLE) in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin, and other applicants.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
WATER RIGHT INVESTIGATIONS AND ANALYSIS
Analysis of water use, availability, and management
The specialist analyzes and makes recommendations regarding the use, availability, and
management of the state’s water resources. Prepares detailed technical reports tailored to specific situations reflecting analysis on temporary water right changes; prepares digital maps utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology; and evaluates existing and historical water rights proposed for change to an instream flow purpose to determine validity. Reviews technical literature and consults hydrologic professionals for information and to resolve technical hydrologic questions and problems relating to water rights proposed for partial or complete change to be left instream.
The specialist evaluates the accuracy and extent of historical existing claimed and permitted water uses to make critical decisions about individual rights to use water without adverse effects to existing uses. Hydrologic data are analyzed to determine if rights of a prior appropriator will be adversely affected, and if the proposed means of diversion, construction, and operation are adequate.
The specialist analyzes an applicant’s justification and calculations for the requested flow rate and volume to determine if the amount of water requested is reasonable, and that the water will be put to a beneficial use. The specialist may determine that one or more of the elements of a claimed water right or the information submitted with a new application have not been met statutory criteria for issuance and may then modify, remark, condition, or deny the water right change application(s).
The specialist evaluates each proposed water right change to identify potential environmental impacts as required by the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
The specialist may be required, through department involvement or by subpoena, to appear as an expert witness providing testimony, expert opinions, and supporting evidence in department contested-case hearings.
The specialist conducts comprehensive analyses of all water uses in basins being considered for groundwater and surface water closures and provides technical water availability information.
The specialist provides technical and investigative assistance to department attorneys and hearings examiners regarding objections and water quantification issues for new appropriations.
Water management data gathering, analysis and presentation
The specialist may provide additional support by gathering field data and provide technical and/or scientific information on a variety of water issues such as water availability, water uses, site-specific groundwater and surface water problems, water diversion and conveyance facilities, and other water issues.
Provides information regarding department policies, positions and viewpoints to Montana QLEs and other state and local entities such as conservation districts, local planning boards, local drought management committees, other water resources management groups, and student groups.
Reviews and interprets maps and aerial photos to locate specific resource features such as topography, points of water diversion, ditches, canals, water conveyance facilities, groundwater developments, vegetation types, and fence lines.
Attends public meetings as needed on a variety of water resource issues.
Scientific investigations regarding water resources
The specialist may plan and conduct scientific field examinations for a variety of water-related purposes. Field investigations involve: measuring flow rates and volumes of water used; confirming that the point of diversion and place of use are correct as specified on a water right; verifying capacities of reservoirs, ditches and canals; installing various surface and groundwater measuring devices such as flumes, current meters, weirs, pitot tubes, piezometers and well probes; collecting water measurement data including reservoir levels and stream gauge readings; using land surveying equipment such as transits, levels, and measuring tapes.
Conducts field investigations for the water measurement program.
Investigates water-related activities to ensure compliance with various regulations.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
The specialist research water use information, well log information and land ownership records specific to individual requests.
Research requests require providing precise information and interpretations using a variety of sources including the Montana Water Court’s water right decrees, the DNRC statewide water right database, district court decrees, county clerk and recorder records, county assessor tax records, and other department records.
Compiles research information to develop reports and create GIS maps for the public, attorneys, water users, consultants, and the Water Court. The specialist must often present information that is contrary to the opinions of others and may face debate and confrontation.
Considerable economic investment and land use decisions may be based on the accuracy of the information provided by the specialist.
GRANT MANAGEMENT
In coordination with the Water Rights Bureau Chief and DNRC Water Resource Division’s Financial Manager, the specialist prepares Full Grant Proposals and quarterly Programmatic Grant Reports according to CBWTP and NFWF guidelines. Additional grant
Attend and provide program/grant updates at semi-annual CBWTP QLE meetings.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
The specialist performs a variety of other professional and technical duties in support of Division and Regional Office operations. This includes activities such as attending training and educational programs, meetings, and conferences; representing the Department to local groups and communities; and reviewing and commenting on Division administrative and technical policies and procedures. During times when primary workload allows, the specialist may be asked to assist the water rights bureau and regional offices on tasks related to maintaining water rights records including processing ownership updates and related ownership update forms and/or working on water right predeterminations for proposed subdivisions. Completes administrative functions including providing input on regional office annual operations plan, work plans, budgets, development plans, and other related duties as assigned. Participates on teams for hiring regional office personnel. Participates in annual performance appraisal process.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or the natural sciences, plus a minimum of three years of experience with water resources management. Coursework in water resources, physical or natural sciences, engineering, public speaking, and writing is desirable.
Alternate combinations of education and experience that have resulted in the acquisition of the listed KSAs may also be considered.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge:
Thorough knowledge of water resource-related management theories, principles, concepts, and practices, field investigation methodologies; and negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
Thorough knowledge of Montana water law, relevant interstate and reserved water compacts, rules, policies, procedures, and government operations.
Thorough knowledge of Water Resource Division programs, procedures, and policies.
Thorough knowledge of local water availability, water use practices, water measurement techniques and devices, irrigation methods and designs, public land ownership records, court decrees and orders.
Considerable knowledge of laws, policies, and issues pertaining to other water resource programs including dam safety, floodplain management, water well monitoring, and watershed planning.
Considerable knowledge of irrigation practices, methods, and design.
Considerable knowledge of water measurement and USGS stream gauging procedures and records.
Working knowledge of hydraulics, hydrology, and hydrogeology practices.
Working knowledge of local, state, and federal governmental administrative processes.

Skills:
Skills in the use of personal computers and operating systems and appropriate software relating to databases on a PC, mainframe connections, and retrieval of information in the mainframe database, e-mail, spreadsheet programs, Internet access, word processing programs, and technical software programs including GIS applications.
Skills in reading, understanding, and interpreting land descriptions.
Skill in organizing and setting priorities and accomplishing numerous and diverse duties.
Skills in the operation and maintenance of water measurement devices such as flow meters, flumes, weirs, etc.

Abilities:
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to analyze complex issues and make sound defensible judgments.
Ability to be organized, self-motivated, demonstrate initiative, and control projects.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to recognize problems or unusual situations that arise and deal with them in a timely effective manner by analyzing complex issues and make sound, defensible judgments.
Ability to mediate disputes and resolve conflicts.
Ability to convey complex laws and technical information to the public in a clear and concise manner.
Application and Selection Process
The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy by: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance.

Supplemental Questions
Please attach answers as an attachment to the application.
1. This position requires an understanding of surface water hydrology, impacts of physical characteristics on watershed dynamics, and water policy and management practices in Montana. Explain how the combination of your academic training, professional background, and life experiences qualify you for this position.
2. This job requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Describe how you would go about reviewing a water right change application that proposes to change a flood irrigation water right to center-pivot irrigation in a completely new location. What resources would you look for to guide your review? What elements of the proposed change would be important to review? Explain why those elements are important.

DNRC Benefits:
Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays
Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
Retirement Plans

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Job: Engineering

Salary: $ 26.84 – 26.84 Hourly

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time

Primary Location: Helena

Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Union: 000 – None

Bargaining Unit: 000 – None

Posting Date: Feb 28, 2022, 5:11:05 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Mar 22, 2022, 12:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, Supplemental Questions (Refer to Job Posting)

Contact Name: Department of Natural Resources and Conservation | Contact Email: dfames@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-444-0513

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