Chief of Staff

Socket.dev; Helena (MT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services seeks a Chief of Staff to serve as a senior executive leader in the Director’s Office. The role translates the Director’s priorities into coordinated action by aligning executive decision-making, cross‑functional initiatives, communications, and stakeholder engagement across the department.

Successful candidates will provide leadership for project management, research and data analytics, data management, and related strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public health, health policy, business administration, communications, law, political science, or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive leadership support, policy, strategic planning operations, or human services.
• Experience coordinating complex issues across organizational boundaries.
• Experience with legislative-session support, executive communications, stakeholder engagement would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead as a senior executive, aligning priorities with department leadership and external partners.
• Coordinate cross‑functional initiatives, communications, and legislative engagement.
• Oversee project management, data analytics, data management, and strategic coordination.

Skills

Information synthesis

Executive coordination

Policy planning

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration

Job description

To be considered for this position you must complete the state application and attach all required documents through the Montana State Careers site at www.statecareers.mt.gov.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Director’s Office

The Chief of Staff serves as a senior executive leader in the DPHHS Director’s Office and acts as the Director's principal strategic advisor, integrator, and executive coordinator across the department's management areas, executive office functions, and key external relationships. The position helps translate the Director’s priorities into coordinated action by aligning executive decision-making, cross-functional initiatives, communications, legislative and stakeholder engagement, and follow-through across the Director's Office and department leadership structure. The Chief of Staff provides leadership for functions such as project management, research and data analytics, data management, communications, and related strategic coordination, while partnering closely with the Principal Deputy Director, Director’s Office Manager, legal counsel, State Medical Officer, and program executives.

Why Join DPHHS

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Qualifications for this Career Opportunity

• Ability to synthesize complex information, identify key issues, evaluate options, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ability to exercise exceptional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political awareness in handling confidential, controversial, or high-visibility matters.
• Ability to lead meetings, guide executive follow-through, manage special projects, and ensure accountability without relying solely on formal authority.
• Meet minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public health, health policy, business administration, communications, law, political science, or a related field.
  • Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive leadership support, policy, strategic planning operations, public or private administration, or human services work, including substantial experience in coordinating complex issues across organizational boundaries.
  • Other combinations of related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Preferred Qualifications:
    • Experience working in a state public health, Medicaid, or human services agency.
    • Experience supporting a cabinet-level official, agency director, secretary, commissioner, or a similarly situated executive.
    • Experience with legislative-session support, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and cross-agency coordination.
    • Experience leading project management, policy implementation, communications coordination, data management, or enterprise issue management in a large public or private organization.
    • Familiarity with DPHHS programs, State of Montana government operations, and tribal, provider, and community partner environments.

Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below.

Additional Information

This position may be eligible for partial teleworkwithin the state of Montana.Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.

This position is open until filled with frequent screening of applicants.