Description

ATTORNEY
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
HELENA, MT

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you!

The Director’s Office provides critical support to the department’s executive team through communications, financial services, legal services, and human resources. The landscape of corrections is constantly evolving, and this team is at the forefront of managing this change on behalf of Montana citizens. Join us today!

This is a staff Attorney position that gives the successful candidate the opportunity to serve a vital role in carrying out the important work and mission of the Montana Department of Corrections.   The successful candidate will have the opportunity to experience the wide array of policy and legal topics that impact the Department’s day-to-day operations.  This includes, but is not limited to, constitutional, labor, tort, contract, and administrative law.  

Competencies:

Knowledge of or ability to learn:

• Correctional policies, programming, and rules
• Constitutional, administrative, public safety, healthcare, contracts, employment, data privacy, and Montana public records laws;
• Present in front of large groups and over electronic platforms to deliver legal presentations and trainings;
• Draft and/or amend administrative policies and procedures; and
• Courtroom practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Draft policies and procedures, rules, pleadings, motions, briefs, memorandums, and opinions; conduct discovery; prepare witnesses; initiated and conduct settlement negotiations; and present cases in state and federal court;
• Adapt and operate in a dynamic and technical legal environment;
• Organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines with limited oversight;
• Exercise sound legal judgment in the analysis, review, and handling of assigned work and cases from start to finish;
• Respond to work collaboratively with others, including outside counsel, county attorneys, defense attorneys, other agencies, and judges concerning the application and interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Communicate orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

The majority of work is located in Helena and Deer Lodge.

The hourly rate of this position will increase by $1.00 per hour or 2.5%, whichever is greater, effective July 1, 2026, in accordance with HB13.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Two years of legal work preferred
• Must be admitted to practice law in Montana and federal district courts
• Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

BENEFITS
Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.
State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

To initiate an application and be considered, you must attach your resume, cover letter, and mark the attachments as a “Relevant File”. In your cover letter, state why you are applying for the position and anything that makes you uniquely qualified. Applications missing required documentation may not be considered.

Successful applicants will be subject to:

Criminal history check
Child/patient/offender abuse registries
Reference checks

The Department of Corrections 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, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

NOTICES
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) -  Any person who has 1) engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution; 2) been convicted of engaging in or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or 3) been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in activity as described in the latter, are not qualified for this position.

Tobacco Free - The use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes is prohibited in Department of Corrections buildings.  In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is prohibited.