Land Management Specialist

Job Description - Land Management Specialist )

Position Title:

Land Management Specialist - )

What if your next role lets you spend part of your time around Montana’s rivers, reservoirs, dams and canals, and the rest collaborating with engineers, scientists, lessees, and the public to solve real‑world land and water challenges? The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is hiring a Land Management Specialist (Real Property Agent
1) to help steward State Water Project (SWP) lands that support irrigation, agriculture, recreation and rural economies across Montana.

You will help manage lands tied to State‑owned water storage projects, including 22 dams, more than 250 miles of irrigation canals, and associated lands. Your work directly influences how grazing, agriculture, cabin sites, and recreation occur on project lands, balancing productive use with long‑term resource health. You will be part of DNRC’s State Water Projects Bureau, a team that combines field work, technical analysis, and public service to keep Montana’s water infrastructure and lands working for people and the environment.

• Value People
• Stewardship
• Service
• Credibility
• Engagement

• Research proposed actions, coordinate site inspections, and assess land and water resource impacts with staff, lessees, stakeholders, and other professionals.
• Serve as a customer‑service‑oriented contact for the public, lessees, DNRC staff, and partner agencies, helping them navigate leases, licenses, access, and land use questions.
• Coordinate incoming land management requests, make clear recommendations, and draft or review reports, contracts, agreements, valuations, and other documents that keep projects moving.

• Communicate applicable state laws, rules, and DNRC policies that guide land and water programs, and help refine procedures and program practices that support progressive, sustainable land management.
• Investigate unauthorized or problematic uses of state lands, initiate corrective actions, and follow up to ensure issues are resolved in line with policy and resource objectives.
• Review, inspect, and make recommendations on improvements, recreational use, access closures, public safety concerns, signage, and other land management actions—and manage projects selected for implementation.

• Manage project land leases by coordinating competitive bidding and renewals, gathering and analyzing data, evaluating operations, preparing supplemental lease agreements, developing noxious weed management plans, and supporting lease fee assessments.
• Coordinate special use permits, easements, and other agreements that allow DNRC operations on other agency or private lands, ensuring responsible, well‑documented uses.
• Lead aspects of project land sales and disposals, from lessee‑nominated auctions and strategic sales to recommending and administering the disposal of lands no longer supporting the Department’s mission.

• Help implement and maintain fee‑title and real property interest inventory and management systems that give DNRC a clear, up‑to‑date picture of its land holdings and uses.
• Administer and oversee contracted services—from weed and pest control to fencing, surveying, appraisals, and real estate services—ensuring work aligns with DNRC standards and policies.
• Take on special projects, support other Bureau programs, and represent DNRC in meetings and conferences, all while contributing to the long‑term conservation and productive use of State Water Project lands.

• Live and work in Helena, Montana, near Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks with abundant outdoor recreation.
• Work/life balance with flexible schedules.
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays) with vacation 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.
• Career progression, professional development and state employee discounts.
• Up to 15 days of military leave with…