Division Administrator - CARDD
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- 26142525 Requisition #
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- 2 hours ago Post Date
This position will be posted On-going
First Review Date is October 19, 2026
We are seeking a proven executive to serve as the Division Administrator for the Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD). The Division Administrator provides executive leadership and overall management of the division. The administrator sets strategic direction; oversees statewide programs, budgets, and staff; develops and implements policy; and represents DNRC with the Legislature, executive branch, governmental partners, stakeholders, media, and the public. This position reports to the DNRC Director and oversees a division of approximately 57 employees.
What We’re Looking For:
A track record of leading operations across a large, complex, or geographically distributed organization, including supervising senior leaders.
Experience presenting budgets, legislation, or policy proposals to elected bodies, governing boards, or oversight agencies, as well as navigating the legislative process.
A history of successfully managing high-stakes issues to resolution with a high degree of integrity, including issues where stakeholders hold polarized views of what constitutes reasonable use of land and water.
The ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with staff at every level and with external partners such as elected officials, county commissioners, and tribal leadership.
Advanced skill in planning, prioritizing, and goal setting, and high proficiency in organizational awareness, conflict management, negotiation, and energizing others.
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.
Why Helena, Montana?
Helena is Montana’s capital city and a hub for government, healthcare, and outdoor adventure. It offers a small‑city feel with the amenities of a state capital. Residents enjoy short commutes, a walkable historic downtown, and a strong sense of community.
In Helena and the surrounding area, you will find:
Miles of nearby trails for hiking, biking, running, and dog walking.
Easy access to rivers and lakes for fishing, paddling, boating, and swimming, plus skiing and snow sports within a short drive.
A relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with four distinct seasons, vibrant local events, and thriving food and beverage scene.
Montana is known for its wide‑open spaces, public lands, and tight‑knit communities. Helena offers the chance to live in a place people seek out for its landscapes and recreation, while doing work that directly shapes Montana’s future.
Benefits Include:
Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays). Vacation leave increases with years of 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 457b Plan).
Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
Longevity pay with continued state service.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit the following via the State of Montana Careers site:
Cover letter describing your interest in this position and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications.
Resume
Special requirements:
Fingerprint and background check
Valid driver's license.
Frequent travel is required to attend meetings, conferences, and events as a representative of the Department.
Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combinations of education and experience)
Bachelor’s degree in natural-resource management, public administration, business administration, finance, economics, environmental policy, or a closely related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience in natural-resource program administration, public administration, finance, governmental affairs, infrastructure or resource development, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing staff, complex programs, budgets, policy development, and relationships with governmental and nongovernmental partners.
Senior-level experience working with elected or appointed officials is preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Successful candidates will bring:
Knowledge of water law, hydrology, and water policy in the Western U.S. is desirable; however, success in this role depends more on strong leadership, prioritization, and the ability to direct subject-matter experts.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑disciplinary teams and managing change in high‑visibility environments.
Skill in strategic planning, policy development, and translating legislative intent into practical programs and procedures.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with legislators, tribes, federal partners, local governments, water users, and other stakeholders.
Strong communication skills, including public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, negotiation, and clear, accessible writing on technical topics.
Work Environment:
Work is primarily performed in office, meeting, and public-hearing settings.
Requires statewide travel for meetings, site visits, conservation-district activities, and public engagement; occasional overnight or out-of-state travel may be required.
May require extended or irregular hours during legislative sessions, budget development, public meetings, emergencies, and other time-sensitive assignments.
Occasional field visits may involved uneven terrain and variable weather conditions.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, travel by vehicle or other transportation, and walk short distances over uneven terrain.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities KSAs):
Knowledge of:
- Organization and management principles, including leading complex, multi‑disciplinary programs and teams.
- Supervisory principles, personnel management, and organizational leadership.
- Government operations, public administration, and intergovernmental coordination.
- Budgeting, finance, and adapting budgets to changing resource levels.
Skill in:
- Strategic planning, policy development, and translating legislative intent into practical programs and procedures.
- Explaining complex technical and policy issues to diverse audiences.
- Public speaking, stakeholder facilitation, and negotiation.
Ability to:
- Represent the Department and the State of Montana effectively and credibly in legislative and public meetings/hearings.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, leadership, legislators, tribes, federal partners, stakeholders, and the public.
- Lead a division through changes and evolving demands.
- Manage sensitive or contentious issues with fairness, professionalism, and diplomacy.
- Balance competing demands and priorities under deadlines.
- Analyze complex problems, anticipate obstacles, evaluate options, and make sound, well‑supported decisions in high‑visibility environments.
- Communicate with DNRC leadership, Division leadership, and staff.
- Build cooperative relationships with partners.
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 recent completed 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.
This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After you accept a job offer and complete Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration for verification.
