Continuous Improvement Unit Section Manager

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: you ready to lead a team of passionate professionals who take pride in making a difference through public service Do you thrive in an environment that values collaboration innovation and personal growth If youre driven by continuous improvement and enjoy helping teams reach their full potential the Continuous Improvement Unit Section Manager position could be the perfect opportunity for you.

MISSION STATEMENT:
Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Responsiveness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Cohesiveness

Its 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 DLIhere.

Position Overview:

As the Section Manager of the Continuous Improvement Unit youll take the lead in shaping how the Employment Standards Division grows and evolves. Youll guide a skilled collaborative team dedicated to finding smarter more effective ways to serve workers employers and communities across Montana. Your work will go beyond managing projectsyoull drive innovation foster teamwork and turn great ideas into lasting results.

Through strategic planning and hands-on leadership youll help streamline processes strengthen collaboration and ensure every improvement aligns with the Divisions mission: supporting fair safe and thriving workplaces statewide. This is your chance to make a real differencecultivating a culture of learning excellence and continuous growth within one of Montanas most impactful public service divisions.

Essential Functions:

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead and manage by inspiring and guiding a diverse highperforming project team ensuring their work drives progress toward the Divisions strategic objectives and goals.
• Provide effective leadership by fostering a culture of professionalism and respect promoting collaboration resolving conflicts constructively embracing organizational change and offering expert guidance and technical support to staff.
• Oversee daily operations by proactively addressing operational challenges optimizing resource use and strengthening crossbureau partnerships to enhance communication coordination and continuity of operations.
• Plan organize and monitor work by clearly setting priorities streamlining processes leading purposeful staff meetings and leveraging data and analytics to advance program Bureau and Division goals.
• Manage staff by leading recruitment selection onboarding evaluation and performance management efforts consistently upholding State and departmental personnel policies and standards.
• Develop staff by championing professional growth coordinating meaningful training opportunities and aligning development plans with organizational needs and employee aspirations.
• Provide project management leadership by driving the Division Road Map and other strategic initiatives applying sound project management practices and ensuring alignment with longterm goals.
• Plan and facilitate projects by leading dynamic meetings and workshops maintaining comprehensive project documentation throughout the life cycle communicating progress and outcomes effectively and ensuring resources are used strategically to achieve results.
• Collaborate with the Technical Services Division by connecting business needs to innovative IT solutions that enhance efficiency service delivery and overall performance.

Required Skills and Competencies:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

• Leadership and people management: Principles and practices of leadership vision setting mentorship and human resources management including recruitment onboarding training development performance management discipline and off boarding while building trust and strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic business and program management: Application of business and management principles to strategic planning resource allocation production methods coordination of people and resources strategic planning methodologies and program assessment techniques including serving as a change agent to implement and reinforce division and bureau objectives.
• State regulation and rulemaking: Knowledge of applicable state regulation and rules governing division programs as well as support for legislative and administrative rule development processes implementation and compliance and the ability to adapt to an evolving regulatory and work environment.
• Project and technology management: Proficiency in project management principles and methodologies technology systems development and integration across division sections translating business requirements into functional IT specifications (including the software development life cycle) managing customer and vendor relationships and serving as an effective liaison between business stakeholders and IT.
• Analytical problem solving and data skills: Ability to use both traditional and non-traditional analytical thinking to develop innovative solutions perform cost/benefit analysis assess business risks identify success measures and work with relational databases to gather analyze and present numerical data and configure system features and automation.
• Communication negotiation and customer service: Strong skills in public speaking and written and verbal communication to technical and nontechnical audiences; effective negotiation and collaboration (rapport building active listening distinguishing wants from needs and influencing through reasoned tactful and assertive communication); and delivering high quality customer service while coaching staff to maintain a customer focused approach.
• Visual Communication: Skilled in developing professional presentation materials that convey complex information in an accessible and visually compelling manner ensuring audience understanding and engagement.
• Presentation Expertise: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in public settings by delivering clear engaging and informative presentations tailored to diverse audiences including staff leadership and external stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated experience supervising or leading professional staff including responsibility for recruitment onboarding performance management and coaching to support employee development and organizational effectiveness.
• Proven ability to plan manage and execute projects or initiatives using structured project management methods to meet defined goals timelines and quality standards.
• Experience applying strategic planning or continuous improvement approaches to align unit operations with division objectives and enhance efficiency or service outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with technical or information technology teams to translate business needs into effective system process or data solutions.
• Experience interpreting and applying state or federal laws administrative rules or policies within a regulatory compliance or program administration setting.
• Proficiency in analyzing data and using metrics financial information or risk assessments to guide decision making and evaluate program performance.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex or technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences through reports presentations or facilitated discussions.
• A degree in business administration communications public administration strategic management or related degree may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:

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 at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application but the application will not be scored or reviewed.

Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tip: When attaching your resume cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as RELEVANT or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified Knowledge Skills and Abilities with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position including duties dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process please contact the HR office.

BENEFITS:

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking camping biking fishing boating hunting skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs rodeos and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: Youll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health dental vision life insurance coverage flexible spending accounts EAP - clickhere to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% - 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- clickhere to learn more!
• Career progression training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1 2026.

*This position may be covered by aVoluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)