Administrative Assistant 3 - NELO Office Manager

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. 

Core Values

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other. 
• We create collaborative work environments. 
• We build and maintain strong relationships. 
• We practice accountability. 
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work

Position Overview

The Administrative Specialist coordinates a variety of fiscal and program administration activities for the Northeastern Land Office (NELO). Duties include performing Area accounting, budgeting, and related fiscal activities; performing NELO administrative operations (e.g., contract administration, procurement, personnel, data management, fire business administration, etc.); and providing administrative and technical support to internal and external customers. The position reports to the Area Manager and supervises temporary personnel as needed.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate accounting and budget activities, track expenditures, process payments, and prepare financial reports.

• Manage day-to-day office operations, including purchasing, supplies, records, correspondence, scheduling, and travel arrangements.

• Administer contracts, office leases, and property inventories to support efficient operations and compliance with state requirements.

• Support fire operations by processing hiring paperwork, payroll, equipment records, incident expenses, and reimbursement documentation.

• Assist employees and supervisors with recruitment, benefits, payroll, travel, and other personnel processes.

• Recruit, train, and supervise temporary administrative employees as needed during peak workloads.

• Process land use licenses, recreation use applications, lease documents, and Farm Service Agency contracts in coordination with program staff.

• Provide helpful, professional service to visitors, lessees, employees, and other customers by answering questions and connecting them with appropriate resources.

• Maintain accurate databases and records, develop office procedures, and help staff troubleshoot routine software and equipment issues.

• Prepare meeting minutes, and assist with special projects and other office needs.

Application Materials 

• Online State Application 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Benefits

• Work/life balance. 

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.

• Longevity pay with continued state service.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

• Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.

• Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.

• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.