Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.
DLI CORE VALUES:
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Accountability
Why should you come to work for the Department of Labor & Industry?
It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.
Watch this short video to see why people love working for DLI: DLI Employee Testimonials
Why should you live here?
Helena, Montana is located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and sits halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. Helena offers an abundance of recreational opportunities including; camping, fishing, hunting, as well as world class mountain biking and hiking. Learn more about Helena here.
What other benefits can you expect from this opportunity?
Look here for a summary of our outstanding benefits. You'll love what you see! Our benefits include:
- Work/life Balance
- Health Coverage
- Retirement Plans
- Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays (a combination of up to 38 per year!)
- A partial telework schedule may be available
*This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)
How would this position make an impact in your community?
Do you have extensive trial experience? Do you have experience in conducting hearings of cases of considerable complexity in the areas of discrimination, labor relations, professional and occupational licensing and wage and hour? Then it is time for you to join our team as our next Administrative Law Judge.
The Department is seeking to fill a full-time Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) position either by hiring a full-time ALJ to work in Helena or by hiring two part-time ALJ's; one working in Billings; and another to work in Missoula. The Billings area ALJ would be responsible for hearings in central and eastern Montana; the Missoula ALJ would be responsible for hearings in western Montana. The department will decide whether to hire a full-time or two part-time ALJ's depending on the qualifications of the respective applicants. If you are interested in one of the part-time positions please respond to this vacancy announcement.
Duties of this position include but are not limited to:
- Conducts administrative hearings of cases of considerable complexity and renders written orders setting forth findings of fact and conclusion of law.
- Adjudicates complex contested cases.
- Performs pre-hearing procedures, as appropriate to the complexity of the case.
- Prepares and issues final orders of the Department including findings of the fact/conclusions of law and appropriate relief
Qualifications
What is it about you that makes you the right person for this opportunity?
You will be most qualified if you have the following experience, knowledge, skills or abilities on day one:
Significant experience:
- As a litigator or administrative law judge with experience in human rights/discrimination cases, working knowledge of the Rules of Evidence, the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, and the Administrative Rules of Montana.
Knowledge in:
- Or the ability to quickly ascertain knowledge of Montana and federal labor and employment laws, occupational licensing laws and discrimination law.
- Skills to:
- Conduct administrative hearings of considerable complexity for multiple agencies generally involving multiple issues and two or more parties represented by counsel.
- Ensure that hearings are orderly, conducted fairly, and safeguard the rights of the involved parties.
- Determine the credibility of witnesses and their testimony from the voice, manner of presentation, and demeanor of the witness and from the quality and consistency of the testimony and evidence presented.
- Quickly conduct legal research to find relevant authorities for your decisions.
Ability to:
- Draft timely written opinions that clearly define, logically analyze and evaluate multiple issues raised by the parties.
- Follow oral and written arguments and identify and apply appropriate law to essential facts and key issues.
- Explain the law and procedure at the start of the hearing process, provide clear expectations to the parties, and assist in the development of testimony.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
This position requires travel to other Montana cities and towns one to three times per month. The incumbent must have or obtain a valid Montana driver's license.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Requires graduation from an accredited law school with a LL.B or J.D. degree, licensed to practice in any state, and five years of directly related experience.
*The ideal candidate is an experienced litigator or Administrative Law Judge who possesses a keen interest in the law and in learning new areas of the law.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Preference:
- Admission to the Montana Bar Association.
- Five to seven years of experience in conducting contested case hearings or as a trial lawyer.
How would you let us know that you're the right person?
You are REQUIRED to attach a cover letter, and resume at the time of application. Tip: When attaching your resume, cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as "relevant."
A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents to be considered for this position. Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further.
In your cover letter, please address the following question:
- How your professional career has prepared you to meet the requirements for this position?
In your resume, include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment (month & year - start & end) and hours per week. Starting pay is based on relevant education and experience. Pay is set based on what you submit at time of application.
Include a recent legal writing sample of less than 20 pages solely written by you that displays your professional work.
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. You will receive an email with instructions on how to submit such documents.
If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.