[Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Employment Standards Division. Empowering Montanans Through Work and Opportunity. Sarah Swanson, Commissioner] Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at:https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en# Are you confident in your ability to lead diverse teams and guide professional licensing boards in service to Montanans? The Professional Licensing Bureau within the Employment Standards Division (ESD) of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) is seeking three Executive Officers to join our leadership team. These positions will oversee multiple administratively attached boards and programs, ensuring they operate effectively, transparently, and in compliance with state law. This is an opportunity to make a direct, statewide impact while shaping professional standards that protect the public and strengthen Montana's licensed workforce. MISSION STATEMENT: Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity. DLI CORE VALUES: Responsiveness Respect Integrity Excellence Cohesiveness It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here. Position Overview: As one of the Bureau's Executive Officers, you will serve as a key leader supporting Montana's professional and occupational licensing boards. Each Executive Officer works closely with board members, licensees, the public, and stakeholders to manage operational activities, develop board policy, and guide program efficiency. You'll use your strategic leadership, communication, and analytical skills to ensure programs function within statutory authority and advance DLI's mission to promote safe, fair, and thriving workplaces. This role is both operational and public-facing, offering the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the integrity of professional practice across Montana. Essential Functions: The Executive Officer will: Provide direct oversight for board operations, ensuring compliance with statutes, administrative rules, and department policies. Collaborate with board members to develop and implement policies that balance regulatory requirements with workforce needs and public protection. Evaluate program effectiveness by using performance data to identify trends, efficiencies, and areas for improvement. Engage with stakeholders, licensees, and the public through proactive communication, outreach events, and participation in local, state, and national meetings. Lead program staff and coordinate activities that ensure consistency, accuracy, and transparency across board operations. Prepare meeting materials, agendas, reports, and correspondence in compliance with open meeting laws and departmental standards. Analyze fiscal data, monitor program budgets, and recommend resource allocations that align with strategic and legislative objectives. Partner with bureau and division leadership to advance department-wide initiatives promoting accountability, modernization, and customer service excellence. Required Skills and Competencies: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to: Stakeholder Engagement, Presentation and Strategic Planning:Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill technical or legal information into clear, concise language. Skilled presenter and public speaker capable of representing the department in board meetings, public hearings, and conferences at the local, state, and national levels. Consistently conveys a positive, credible, and professional image on behalf of the department while building trust-based relationships with diverse audiences. Board Leadership and Governance Strategy:Demonstrated expertise in supporting and advising governor-appointed boards in policy development, rulemaking, and program oversight. Skilled in facilitating meetings, preparing board materials, and providing strategic counsel on complex regulatory issues. Able to translate board decisions into clear, actionable operational plans that align with statutory and departmental objectives. Collaborative Negotiation and Conflict Management:Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and board dynamics with diplomacy and emotional intelligence. Skilled at achieving consensus through collaboration while maintaining compliance with statutory requirements and department policy. Demonstrated leadership in resolving conflict constructively, balancing competing priorities, and guiding boards toward practical, legally sound solutions. Analytical Governance and Program Evaluation:Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills used to evaluate licensing operations, examine performance data, and identify risks or opportunities for improvement. Demonstrated ability to interpret data-driven findings, apply strategic problem-solving, and enhance board efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Regulatory Interpretation and Legal Application:In-depth knowledge of Montana's occupational licensing laws, administrative procedures, and statutory program requirements. Skilled in advising boards on their legal authority, interpreting complex statutes, and applying state and federal policies to ensure programs remain compliant and defensible. Fiscal Stewardship and Public Accountability:Experience analyzing budgets, monitoring financial performance, and forecasting resource needs to support sound program management. Able to communicate fiscal trends clearly to boards and department leadership while upholding responsible resource allocation and transparency in decision-making. Strategic Organization and Executive-Level Time Management:Proven ability to lead multiple board programs concurrently, manage complex schedules, and meet strict legislative and statutory deadlines. Demonstrated strength in organizing workflow, adapting to shifting priorities, and maintaining accuracy and professionalism under pressure. Technology Integration and Information Management:Proficiency in leveraging digital systems, licensing databases, and communication tools to streamline processes and maintain accurate records. Demonstrates commitment to information integrity, accessibility, and modernization. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe, Zoom, and department-supported systems. Visual Communication:Skilled in developing professional presentation materials that convey complex information in an accessible and visually compelling manner, ensuring audience understanding and engagement. Presentation Expertise:Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in public settings by delivering clear, engaging, and informative presentations tailored to diverse audiences, including staff, leadership, and external stakeholders. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience) Skilled in interpreting and applying laws, rules, and policies to support effective board governance and regulatory compliance. Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly to boards, stakeholders, and the public. Proven ability to analyze data, evaluate program operations, and implement improvements that enhance efficiency and accountability. Demonstrated organizational skills to plan and manage multiple boards, meetings, and deadlines with accuracy and professionalism. Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Communications, Political Science, or related field may supplement relevant experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered. HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY: A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed. Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. Tip:When attaching your resume, cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as "RELEVANT" or we will be unable to view your documents. Required application materials: Cover Letter- Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, with examples that demonstrate your qualifications. Resume- include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment. Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application. All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents. If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office. BENEFITS: Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters. Read more about our great statehere. See our other incredible benefitshere. These are some of our benefits just to name a few: Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana. 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays. Military leave: You'll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay. Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises. Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP - click hereto learn more. Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - clickhereto learn more. Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% - 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. - Clickhereto learn more. Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click hereto learn more! Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth. State employee discounts at various businesses across the state. This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026. This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) *Title: Executive Officer Location: Helena Requisition ID: 25142970 Other Locations: Three Forks, Missoula, Whitehall, Twin Bridges, Deer Lodge, Belgrade, East Helena, Butte, Dillon, Bozeman, Great Falls, Boulder
