Water Court Office Manager

This position posting will close October 5^th, 2026.   Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.
• Cover Letter
• Three Professional References

Candidates that do not submit the required documents will not be considered in the hiring process.

When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

• Less than full time may be considered for the right candidate.
• An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period.
• The successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF
  
  Job Overview:

• The Montana Judicial Branch is seeking a Water Court Office Manager to coordinate the daily administrative operations of the Montana Water Court. The position works closely with the judges and court staff to ensure that staffing, scheduling, facilities, purchasing, technology, and office procedures function effectively and efficiently.

• The position supervises and supports judicial assistants, coordinates office coverage and administrative schedules, manages office and facility needs, and assists with the logistical coordination of hearings, meetings, travel, and other court activities. The incumbent serves as a point of contact for judges, court staff, attorneys, vendors, other agencies, and members of the public regarding administrative matters and works with appropriate personnel to resolve questions and operational issues.

• The position also assists with court administrative processes, records management, website updates, purchasing, financial processing, technology coordination, and other operational needs of the Water Court. The incumbent exercises independent judgment on administrative matters while recognizing and appropriately referring matters requiring judicial, Human Resources, or other authorized decision-making.

• This position provides administrative support to court operations and does not direct judicial decision-making or assume the statutory responsibilities of the clerk of court.

• The incumbent works independently with general supervision and must be able to organize competing priorities, establish work priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain reliable office operations. The position reports to Judge Peters.

   

   

  Job Duties: (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed)  cover all the duties which may be performed)

• Supervises, trains, and supports judicial assistants; assigns and reviews work, establishes priorities, and identifies opportunities to improve work processes.

• Manages judicial assistant schedules to maintain appropriate office coverage and coordinates staff availability with court needs.

• Approves leave requests and prepares, verifies, and submits time and payroll records within delegated authority.

• Conducts performance evaluations and addresses performance concerns in coordination with the judges and Human Resources, consistent with assigned supervisory authority.

• Coordinates administrative scheduling with water masters, including calendars, travel, and coverage needs, without directing their judicial work.

• Oversees the general court calendar and coordinates courtroom scheduling.

• Arranges locations and logistical details for offsite hearings, public meetings, and other court events, including reservations, travel, lodging, equipment, and remote participation.

• Serves as a point of contact for judges, attorneys, court staff, vendors, other agencies, and the public regarding administrative matters; researches questions and routes inquiries to the appropriate person when necessary.

• Coordinates the availability and use of technology for hearings, recording, and remote appearances and works with technical staff to resolve equipment and access issues.

• Manages office space, equipment, supplies, postage, printing services, and software subscriptions to support efficient office operations.

• Maintains vendor relationships and serves as the primary administrative contact for the landlord and building management.

• Verifies and processes invoices and prepares payment and purchase orders in accordance with applicable procedures and delegated authority.

• Coordinates the use and regular maintenance of state vehicles.

• Assists with the development and maintenance of office safety and security plans.

• Develops and maintains administrative office procedures to improve consistency, work quality, and efficiency.

• Assists with daily operational processes, filing systems, records management, retention requirements, and related vendor arrangements, including Iron Mountain.

• Maintains administrative content on the Water Court website, including significant case updates and public notices, as directed and approved by the appropriate court official.

• Assists with the administrative coordination of decree issuance, objections, counter objections, notices of intent to appear, distribution projects, and appeals, as assigned.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in the Montana Water Court office in Bozeman, Montana, in a standard office setting. Occasional travel may be required to support offsite court events or meetings. The position may need to adjust schedules to meet court deadlines and operational needs.

• The work is primarily sedentary and involves extended computer use. Duties may also involve occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and carrying office materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge of office management practices, staff supervision, scheduling, records management, purchasing, payroll, and administrative procedures.

• Ability to organize competing priorities, assign and review work, meet deadlines, and maintain reliable office coverage.

• Ability to supervise staff fairly, provide clear direction and feedback, and address performance concerns appropriately.

• Ability to understand and apply court rules, statutes, policies, and procedures relevant to assigned administrative responsibilities.

• Ability to maintain accurate records, verify financial documents and payroll information, and handle confidential information with discretion.

• Ability to coordinate hearings, travel, facilities, technology needs, and other logistical matters involving multiple participants and locations.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with judges, court staff, attorneys, vendors, other agencies, and members of the public.

• Skill in using office software, electronic records and scheduling systems, and standard office and hearing equipment.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment on administrative matters and recognize issues requiring a decision by a judge, Human Resources, or another appropriate official.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, judges, court staff, attorneys, vendors, other agencies, and members of the public.