To be considered for this position you must complete the state application and attach all required documents through the Montana State Careers site atwww.statecareers.mt.gov.The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Director's OfficeThe Chief of Staff serves as a senior executive leader in the DPHHS Director's Office and acts as the Director's principal strategic advisor, integrator, and executive coordinator across the department's management areas, executive office functions, and key external relationships. The position helps translate the Director's priorities into coordinated action by aligning executive decision-making, cross-functional initiatives, communications, legislative and stakeholder engagement, and follow-through across the Director's Office and department leadership structure. The Chief of Staff provides leadership for functions such as project management, research and data analytics, data management, communications, and related strategic coordination, while partnering closely with the Principal Deputy Director, Director's Office Manager, legal counsel, State Medical Officer, and program executives.
- Ability to synthesize complex information, identify key issues, evaluate options, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to executive leadership.
- Ability to exercise exceptional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political awareness in handling confidential, controversial, or high-visibility matters.
- Ability to lead meetings, guide executive follow-through, manage special projects, and ensure accountability without relying solely on formal authority.
- Meet minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, public health, health policy, business administration, communications, law, political science, or a related field.
- Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive leadership support, policy, strategic planning operations, public or private administration, or human services work, including substantial experience in coordinating complex issues across organizational boundaries.
- Other combinations of related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a state public health, Medicaid, or human services agency.
- Experience supporting a cabinet-level official, agency director, secretary, commissioner, or a similarly situated executive.
- Experience with legislative-session support, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and cross-agency coordination.
- Experience leading project management, policy implementation, communications coordination, data management, or enterprise issue management in a large public or private organization.
- Familiarity with DPHHS programs, State of Montana government operations, and tribal, provider, and community partner environments.
How to ApplyTo be considered for a DPHHS position, submit the following required documents with your application on the State of Montana Careers website. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application for this position.
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- References
Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended.
Additional InformationThis position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.
This position is open until filled with frequent screening of applicants.
