Lawyer

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.