Job Posting- Hydro Compliance Professional / Fisheries Biologist
NorthWestern Energy
Hydro Compliance Professional / Fisheries Biologist
Great Falls, MT
Full-time
Salary: $76,400 to $129,000 per year
Application Due Date: 06/29/2026
Application Link: https://northwesternenergy.applicantpro.com/jobs/4118849
Questions? Contact: Andrew.Welch@NorthWestern.com
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Under the direction of the Manager of Hydro License Compliance, this position is primarily responsible for ensuring that the company complies with FERC license and other regulatory requirements related to fisheries and associated resource management issues at NorthWestern Energy's hydroelectric projects. Also provides support for wildlife, water quality and recreation programs as they pertain to fisheries.
• Conducts compliance activities safely and directs contractors to adhere to applicable safety requirements.
• Manage License compliance programs including fishery population monitoring and movement, wildlife, genetic studies, and protection and recovery of threatened and endangered species.
• Assist in technical review of fisheries and wildlife studies, consultant reports, research reports, and professional journal publications required by or arising out of NorthWestern Energy’s hydro licenses.
• Provide technical assistance for FERC license amendments and FERC relicensing process
• Supervise contractors and consultants to implement compliance activities and studies and to ensure adherence to company safety and environmental policies.
• Track and provide expertise to NWE management on emerging issues related to fisheries.
• Collaborate with operations on reservoir and flow management of the Missouri River (Fisheries Biologist only)
• Develop formal plans and implement hydro compliance activities required by FERC license and related state and federal permits with minimal guidance. Oversee and implement studies, sampling and analysis and reporting required to comply with FERC license, state, and federal requirements and permits
• Support and utilize NWE’s environmental management system
• Facilitate Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) which direct the activities of the Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement (P, M, &E) programs
• Interface with state and federal agencies, tribes, private interests, conservation groups, and public to effectively implement NorthWestern Energy license compliance activities
• Prepare and submit compliance reports to meet regulatory, permit, and license requirements.
• Prepare and manage annual and project budgets and contracts
• Work as an effective member of a remote team and with significant travel between office, professional meetings with stakeholders and compliance projects across NorthWestern Energy’s hydro system.
• Support NorthWestern Energy hydro construction projects or operational plans by overseeing or implementing required monitoring programs and ensure compliance with state reporting requirements