Division Overview:

The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) of the State’s Attorneys Division of the Montana Department of Justice is responsible for preparing natural resource damage assessments and lawsuits pursuant to the federal and state superfund laws in order to recover damages for injuries to natural resources caused by releases of hazardous substances and developing and implementing natural resource restoration plans that guide the expenditures of the recovered damages in compliance with these laws.

The NRDP has 13 full-time employees (three attorneys, seven scientists, and three administrative/fiscal/contract staff) and was originally created in 1990 to prepare and litigate the State’s natural resource damage lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) for injury to natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB). In addition to the ARCO natural resource damage lawsuit and settlements, the State has also initiated and settled other lawsuits that have resulted in the State receiving additional settlement funds for restoration activities at other sites, including the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex, East Helena Superfund, and the Billings Yellowstone Pipeline Spill.

Job Overview:

The Records Management/Administrative Assistant is responsible for a variety of administrative and records management duties for the Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), which is attached to the Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice for administrative purposes. The role of this position is to implement records management of administrative, legal, fiscal, and procurement records in both electronic and physical formats and to perform general office support and reception duties that support the mission of NRDP.

Record management duties include identifying, classifying, prioritizing, storing, securing, archiving, preserving, retrieving, tracking, and destroying of records according to established guidelines and records retention schedules.

Administrative Assistant duties include greeting visitors, answering inquiries and directing visitors to the appropriate person according to their needs. Answering telephones and giving information to callers, recording messages and transferring calls to appropriate individuals. Handle incoming and outgoing mail and faxes. Typing and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or routine reports. Provide scheduling for events or meetings. Assist managers with general office management duties as assigned. Compose, prepare, and review correspondence and documents of an official and sensitive nature; coordinate staff input to correspondence and documents.

These duties require the incumbent to work individually as well as with other support staff, attorneys, technical staff, and management staff. This position reports to the Administrative Specialist and does not supervise others.

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications for this position are typically acquired through the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent and two years of relevant experience and/or training as administrative support, legal secretary, or other related areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education, formal training, and/or certification in office administration, legal assistance, or receptionist coursework preferred.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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 résumé 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 Check
• Driving History

REAL ID Compliant Credential Required and/or Passport:

State employees are required to present legally binding photo identification at the time of hire. Generally, this is a valid driver license, U.S. Passport or Employment Authorization ID (Form I-766).

All DOJ positions require a valid REAL ID or U.S. Passport within 60 days of hire, effective May 3, 2023.

For further information go to https://mtrealid.gov or https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a résumé at the time of application.

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

Your Résumé: 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.

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach the résumé to be considered for this position. Failure to attach résumé 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 DD214 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.