Planning Program Specialist

About the Department

The Department of Commerce aims to make sure Montana is the best place to work, live and play. We work alongside private industry and local organizations to create jobs, grow businesses, develop affordable housing and improve community infrastructure.

(You can learn more about us here.)

About this Position

The Community MT Division helps Montana communities offer well planned, safe, efficient, and quality public and community facilities including bridges; water and sewer services; schools; affordable and attractive housing and neighborhoods; excellent health care facilities and social services; preserved historic sites and museums, a vibrant downtown and economy; and job opportunities. The Community MT Division has the resources to help each community attain these goals, including financial, planning and technical assistance. Our diverse team of community development professionals support the thriving and unique legacy in communities across Montana.

Job Overview

We are currently recruiting one position. This position works in the Department of Commerce on the technical assistance planning/infrastructure outreach and grant administration for and the Montana Coal Endowment Program Planning grant program, the Community Development Block Grant Planning grant program, in addition to new or one-time-only grants administered by the Division. This is a full-time permanent position.

These positions perform a variety of specialized, complex, and technical analysis and administrative duties. These positions are responsible for providing detailed technical assistance, outreach, information, and expertise to local grant applicants, recipients, and partners, administering contracts and managing grants from start-up to project completion; coordinating and performing grant application evaluations, and award processes, and assuring program and project compliance with federal and state requirements.

This position is opened until filled with first review date of March 23rd, 2026.

What are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• An Associate's or Bachelor's degree
• 2 years of related, relevant experience
• Alternate combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Grant projects and contracts from start up activities to completion
• Responds to program inquiries and provides appropriate information to local government officials and other applicant representatives
• Coordinates and performs grant application reviews
• Assures project compliance with state and federal regulations, conducts research relevant to overlapping regulations
• Serves as liaison to local, departmental, state and federal agencies staff to coordinate project needs

Ability to:

• Work independently, coordinate and supervise project activities under general guidance and direction.
• Analyze and interpret financial information, including grant and loan disbursement amounts, facility user fees, and bonded indebtedness.
• Exercise intendent authority to manage a large and complex workload, and to respond to non-routine situations.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and follow oral and written instructions.

How to apply

Apply online by submitting your resume. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)

Benefits

• Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life Balance

o Health Coverage

o Retirement plans

o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays

o And more…

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!

Other important information to be aware of

• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• If you fail to upload the requested application documents and/or preference documents, we will notify you via email. Failure to upload these documents after notification will result in your application being removed from consideration.
• This position allows for a hybrid work schedule from a remote location within the State of Montana. Weekly travel to Helena offices will be required. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy. New Employees may be required to complete training in person before hybrid work schedules begin.

This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, Link to E-Verify Website.