Chief of Staff

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 Office

The 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.

Why Join DPHHS

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Qualifications for this Career Opportunity

• 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 Apply

To 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. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below.

Additional Information

This 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.

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.