Job Details

Overview

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Directors Office / Office of Legal Affairs.

This position is the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), Department of Public Health and Human Services. The position assists and supports management and supervision of the operations and staff of the Office of Legal Affairs as directed by the Chief Legal Counsel by assisting in management of office workload, budget, and continuing operations in general. Facilitates provision of OLA legal counsel to Department Divisions with tasks such as developing protocols to enable effective interaction and coordination amongst legal staff and program staff; representing the department in litigation; identifying legal developments and trends that may affect strategies and practices of divisions, etc. The position oversees contracting standards, processes, risk and litigation for the department, and manages department litigation assignments as directed by the Chief Legal Counsel. The position directly supervises staff attorneys

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 w hether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Qualifications for this Career Opportunity

• General knowledge of federal and Montana laws pertaining to administration and delivery of public health and human services;
• Thorough knowledge of Montana and federal constitutional law;
• Thorough knowledge of legal research methods, including use of Lexis, Westlaw, and the Internet;
• Thorough knowledge of civil and administrative procedures, both state and federal;
• Ability to analyze difficult legal issues, conduct appropriate research, and recommend or implement effective solutions;
• Knowledge of public sector personnel management and supervision;
• Working knowledge of: Montana and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; Montana and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure; Montana and Federal Rules of Evidence; Uniform District Court Rules; and Rules of Professional Conduct.

Meet minimum qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Five to ten years of practical experience in progressively more difficult legal work with two to five years of related managerial experience, preferably in the public sector.
• Must be admitted to practice law in Montana and federal district courts.

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
• Legal Writing Sample
• 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 teleworkwithin the state of Montana.Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.

This position may be eligible for a statutory 2.5% an hour base pay increase effective July 1, 2026.