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# 

Join our team as the Lame Deer Job Service Office Manager and make a meaningful impact by leading a front‑line team that connects local job seekers and businesses with high‑quality employment services. In this role, you will strengthen workforce opportunities for the community and surrounding area by guiding staff, building strong community and tribal partnerships, and ensuring that services are accessible, culturally responsive, and aligned with local economic needs.

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 the Lame Deer Job Service Office Manager, you will oversee daily operations of the Job Service office and provide leadership to a team of Employment Specialists and Workforce staff serving job seekers and employers. This position is responsible for supervising personnel, managing budgets and performance outcomes, and ensuring high‑quality delivery of state and federal workforce programs. You will build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, tribal and community partners, and education and training providers to support a resilient regional workforce. 

Essential Functions:

The Lame Deer Job Service Office Manager will:

• Provide impactful leadership in all aspects of personnel management, including hiring, training, performance management, coaching, and employee development for at least 2 FTE.
• Supervise the administration of a variety of federal and state workforce and Job Service functions, including monitoring fiscal performance, program compliance, and client employment outcomes.
• Establish and implement office policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant day to day operations.
• Ensure that services are well aligned with local and regional business workforce needs by developing an understanding of business operations and maintaining strong employer relationships.
• Oversee and support staff in providing high quality employment services, case management, and career counseling to job seekers, including those with significant barriers to employment.
• Partner and collaborate with tribal governments, community organizations, post secondary institutions, and other agencies to streamline services, share resources, and improve outcomes for job seekers and employers.
• Use labor market, economic, and workforce information to guide office strategy, inform employers and job seekers, and support regional workforce planning.
• Foster a positive, adaptable office culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and innovation in service delivery.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Leadership and Office Management: Lead teams through change and growth while fostering performance, accountability, and professional development. Manage office operations by establishing procedures, coordinating budgets, and optimizing workflows.
• Workforce and Customer Service: Provide exceptional workforce and customer services by assessing needs and improving satisfaction. Connect individuals with education, employment, and supportive resources to overcome barriers.
• Program and Performance Management: Monitor budgets, program metrics, and client outcomes to inform data driven decisions. Identify service gaps and implement strategies for program improvement and accountability.
• Communication and Relationship Building: Communicate clearly and professionally to explain programs and represent the organization. Build partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and community organizations to enhance collaboration.
• Coaching, Problem Solving, and Adaptability: Coach individuals and teams to achieve goals through motivation, feedback, and skill development. Demonstrate adaptability and proactive problem solving in shifting policy and program environments.
• Public Speaking: Deliver well organized presentations that engage diverse audiences and convey complex information. Exhibit confidence and professional presence through clear speech, pacing, and audience responsiveness.
   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

We are looking for a candidate with experience in the following areas (typically at least two to four years of progressively responsible work in related roles, including supervisory responsibilities):

• Demonstrated experience providing leadership and supervision in a service-oriented setting, including coaching staff, managing performance, and supporting professional growth.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing office or program operations, such as coordinating workflows, implementing procedures, and supporting budget or resource management.
• Demonstrated experience providing direct employment or workforce support services to job seekers, including individuals with significant barriers to employment, through activities such as job placement, job readiness support, and career planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of workforce, human service, and community systems, including common barriers to employment and available education, training, and supportive service resources.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of partners—such as employers, tribal and community organizations, education and training providers, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations—to improve employment and training opportunities.
• Demonstrated experience monitoring outcomes or program performance, including identifying service gaps, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and contributing suggestions for continuous improvement.
• A bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, workforce development, business administration, or a closely related field may supplement relevant professional 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 state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. 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 here to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73%25 - 9.07%25 of your annual salary.  A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. – Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click here to 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)