Pre-Hearing Attorney

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 looking for meaningful public service work that directly impacts Montanans As a PreHearing Attorney with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry you will help protect the public and support fair consistent regulation across licensed professions. This role offers a collaborative growthoriented legal environment where your analysis judgment and writing help ensure lawful and efficient outcomes.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

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:

The Office of Legal Services within the Department of Labor & Industry provides legal support to occupational licensing boards and programs statewide. This position focuses on reviewing complaints unlicensed practice matters and non routine licensing applications to assess legal and factual sufficiency. The Pre Hearing Attorney prepares recommendations and presents matters to boards and programs to support informed consistent decision making. This role advances the Divisions mission by promoting public protection regulatory consistency and efficient case progression.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

• Meaningful public protection work You will help ensure that occupational licensing complaints are reviewed carefully consistently and fairly supporting both public safety and the integrity of Montanas licensed professions.
• A legal role centered on analysis judgment and writing This position is designed for an attorney who wants to evaluate evidence apply professional standards identify legal issues and produce clear recommendations.
• Exposure to a wide range of professions and regulatory issues You will work with complaints unlicensed practice matters and non-routine licensing applications involving licensed professionals applicants licensees board staff investigators and programs across the Departments occupational licensing structure.
• Collaborative public-sector practice You will work with Legal colleagues licensing staff investigators board leadership and program personnel to help matters progress in a way that is legally sound operationally realistic and respectful of the Departments role.
• A chance to build systems and consistency Your work will help improve complaint review unlicensed practice evaluation documentation issue tracking and decision support across high-volume regulatory programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Review licensing complaints: Evaluate allegations involving unprofessional conduct statutory or rule violations and scope of practice concerns for boards and programs.
• Assess unlicensed practice: Analyze allegations of unlicensed activity apply legal standards and recommend appropriate next steps within regulatory authority.
• Evaluate complex applications: Review non routine licensing applications involving legal or factual issues such as prior discipline criminal history or incomplete information.
• Analyze legal sufficiency: Examine investigative materials statutes rules and records to identify key facts evidentiary gaps and threshold legal issues.
• Prepare written recommendations: Draft clear objective memoranda summaries and decision support documents for internal and board use.
• Present to boards and programs: Communicate complaint analyses application issues and recommendations in a neutral decision ready manner.
• Coordinate case development: Work with investigators and program staff to obtain necessary information and move matters forward efficiently.
• Promote consistency and improvement: Support standardized review practices accurate documentation and data informed process improvements across programs.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Legal analysis and interpretation: Apply statutes administrative rules and professional standards to varied regulatory scenarios.
• Clear legal writing: Produce concise wellreasoned written work that supports agency decisions and communicates complex issues effectively.
• Professional judgment and risk assessment: Evaluate evidence identify procedural or legal risks and determine appropriate escalation.
• Investigative review and issue identification: Distinguish between allegations evidence and legal thresholds while maintaining objectivity.
• Problem solving and case progression: Advance matters efficiently while balancing thoroughness with practical decisionmaking.
• Organization and workload management: Manage highvolume caseloads track deadlines and maintain accurate reliable records.
• Communication and collaboration: Work effectively with attorneys investigators staff and board members presenting information clearly and professionally.
• Adaptability and learning agility: Quickly develop working knowledge of diverse professions regulatory frameworks and program requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the State Bar of Montana or eligibility for admission within a reasonable period after hire.
• Demonstrated ability to perform legal analysis writing and regulatory review involving statutes rules and professional standards.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws regulations or policies in areas such as administrative law licensing compliance investigations or public sector practice.
• Experience managing detailed information maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn case management or electronic records systems.

A degree in law is required for this role; however equivalent combinations of relevant legal experience and demonstrated competencies will be considered where consistent with position requirements.

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 required skills and competencies 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 covered by aVoluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

E-Verify: This agency is participating 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 Experience:

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