Project Management Specialist

Job Description:

Project Management Specialist

Description

Montana Department of Justice: Build a Career of Character and Excellence

Join the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ), where our employees are dedicated to upholding the law, pursuing public safety, and safeguarding the well-being and rights of the people of our great state. We are committed to doing the right thing for the right reason, fostering a culture of collaboration, character, and selfless public service. If you are looking for a challenging, exciting, and rewarding career opportunity, the DOJ invites you to explore a role with our team.

About Us:

Hello! We are the Justice Information Technology Services (JITS) team. We provide the vital IT infrastructure and services that Montanans rely upon to support state and local law enforcement.

Our dynamic team manages the IT systems, services, and interfaces for approximately 900 dedicated DOJ employees and over 3,000 Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) customers-all working together to safeguard Montana .

We directly support a diverse range of critical DOJ functions, including:

• Legal cases concerning the State and its people
• Missing persons and victim services
• Children's justice and consumer protection
• Criminal investigations and forensic laboratory services
• Highway safety, motor vehicle licensing, and gambling control

If you thrive on diversity and complexity, this position offers a compelling opportunity to make a direct impact.

Job Overview :

The Project Management Specialist will be a strategic leader responsible for directing JITS projects from initiation through closure. You will manage teams and stakeholders to deliver unique products, services, or results that achieve the DOJ's strategic and organizational objectives.

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead project teams through the full project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/control, and closing.
• Develop the project charter, secure necessary approvals, and conduct project kick-off meetings.
• Monitor and manage project schedules, costs, and quality to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery that satisfies stakeholder needs.
• Manage complex projects that impact multiple, sometimes unrelated, business units with conflicting priorities.
• Ensure the seamless integration of projects with multiple applications or business processes.
  
  Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
• Communicate comprehensive project status updates to different business units through clear written reports and effective meetings.
• Facilitate sessions to gather and document precise business requirements, leveraging historical information like strategic plans and business cases.
• Manage high-level project risks and issues, implementing corrective action as necessary.
• Potentially provide public presentations to executive, judicial, and legislative entities.
  
  Procurement & Contract Management
• Assist in the development of compelling project business cases.
• Conduct business research and generate reports to support critical business decisions.
• Lead procurement activities (including RFPs and RFIs) to solicit and select vendors, consultants, and outsourcing services.
• Negotiate and manage contracts in accordance with division and State policies, providing oversight to ensure vendor compliance.
  
  Performance & Documentation
• Review and evaluate project team performance criteria, identifying areas for improvement.
• Perform post-implementation activities, including soliciting feedback from stakeholders, preparing final reports, and archiving information

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, or related field.
• Four years of experience managing projects.
• Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

Note: Don't quite meet all the requirements, but still confident you could crush it as a Project Management Specialist? Show us. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your resume and cover letter electronically.

If you have any questions, email Bri Smith at briana.smith2@mt.gov.

This is a permanent full-time position located in Helena, Montana .

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include but are not limited to an evaluation of the resume and cover letter, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a cover letter and resume at the time of application .

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a "Relevant File".

Your Resume : Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

Your Cover Letter: Please include a cover letter and address the following questions:

1. Can you describe a complex project you have managed from start to finish, including the scope, timeline, and budget?
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a project manager, and how have you overcome them

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach your cover letter and resume to be considered for this position. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at Terese.Christianson@mt.gov via File Transfer Service .

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program .

This Organization Participates in E-Verify .

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Closing Date/Time: Feb 6, 2026, 12:29:00 PM

Salary:

38.15 - 40.00 Hourly