The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agencys HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711.
Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth age physical or mental disability genetic information marital status creed political beliefs or affiliation veteran status military service retaliation or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
Bachelors degree in education or related field.
Three years experience in education professional development effective schools research design practice curriculum classroom assessment development instructional practices or related field.
Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Does this sound like you
Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online including any veterans or disability preference documentation. When submitting the required documents you must check the relevant document box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.
OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
This position is in the PERS retirement system.
This first review of applications will be July 22 2025. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:
- Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisors name/phone number for each position.
For a complete job description please email
Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200 unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPIs purpose with applicable knowledge in education health research and analysis nutrition finance administration human resources licensing and regulation information technology and many others. We are proud to serve 149000 students pre-K to grade 12 their parents and guardians 400 school districts 16000 educational professionals and 3000 adult learners.
Benefits of working for OPI:
Work/life balance
Family friendly
Dedicated and caring colleagues
Health coverage
Retirement plans
Paid vacation sick leave and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
Opportunities and room for professional growth
Public service loan forgiveness-Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.
Job Overview: The primary purpose of the Accreditation Specialist position is to provide direction and professional and technical support for the implementation of standards of accreditation to help ensure that P-12 schools and postsecondary education institutions provide effective education programs to meet the learning needs of all students. The position provides technical assistance support and program evaluation for Montana Continuous School Improvement Plans Montana Mentoring and Induction Program and Montana Educator Performance Appraisal System. The Accreditation Program Specialist oversees the collection verification and analysis of each schools accreditation data. From these data the annual report is compiled to make recommendations to the Montana State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Board of Public Education for the accreditation status determinations of accredited schools and to assist schools in the implementation of the revised standards of accreditation. The position supports the accreditation of educator preparation programs as outlined in ARM Chapter 58 Professional Educator Preparation Program Standards (PEPPS). The position also gathers and analyzes data to inform the State Superintendent and the BPE on the trends in schools meeting or exceeding the standards of accreditation and to identify accredited schools in need of improvement system of support through the intensive assistance process.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):
This position requires:
- Knowledge of theory principles practices and techniques of educational research professional development research effective schools research design and evaluation and theory principles and practices in educational and program administration.
- Knowledge of theory principles and practices of learning educational supervision group process data collection and analysis curricular and instructional strategies and methodologies classroom and alternative assessment practices accreditation and certification instructional technology.
- Knowledge of the goals purposes and reporting requirements for compliance for state and federal agencies State Board of Public Education administrative rules for accreditation of schools.
- Knowledge of school accountability accreditation systems and Administrative Rules of Montana.
- Knowledge of school improvement plans evidenced-based improvement strategies and data driven decision making.
- Ability to interpret rules regulations and policy and procedures and apply them to the collection analysis and evaluation of school improvement data.
- Ability to maintain high level of technical and educational skills providing leadership for policy.
- Ability to communicate effectively with others using verbal and written communication.
- Ability to apply federal and state laws and regulations and OPI policy.
- Ability to work cooperatively pooling or combining ideas efforts and experiences to improve innovation efficiency and performance of the department and the office.
- Ability to work effectively as a team member resolving conflicts effectively seeking improvement in oneself and profession and accepting changes as expectations duties and work directions evolve