Communications Director

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 91,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

State of Montana's Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Communications Director to lead the Office of Strategic Communications and guide how the department informs and engages the public. This role requires turning complex issues into clear messages and advising agency leadership.

You will manage communications strategy, marketing, and brand management; oversee external materials; draft talking points for the director and deputy; and lead agency-wide meetings while supervising two public

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field.
• Three years of job related progressively responsible experience.
• Experience in Natural Resources a Plus.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Office of Strategic Communications and guide department-wide communications strategy, marketing, and brand management.
• Oversee external materials and responses to inquiries; develop talking points for the director and deputy director.
• Manage a team of two public relations professionals and one executive administrative assistant.
• Review all external materials and set guidance for marketing and communications.
• Draft talking points for the director and deputy director and manage all-hands virtual meetings.

Skills

Media relations

Public communications

Stakeholder engagement

Govt coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field

Job description

Job Description - Communications Director (26142608)

Position Title:

Communications Director - ( 26142608 )

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Communications Director to lead its Office of Strategic Communications and guide how the department informs and engages the public. This is an opportunity for an experienced communications leader to turn complex issues into clear messages, advise agency leadership, and direct communications on matters of high public interest.

As a member of the Director's Office, you will guide department-wide communications strategy, marketing, and brand management; oversee external materials and responses to inquiries; and develop talking points for the director and deputy director. The Communications Director will work close with division administrators, lead agency-wide virtual meetings, manage a team of and communications and marketing strategies for dealing with issues of high public interest or controversy; directing agency responses to inquiries and managing a team of two public relations professionals and one executive administrative assistant.

The communications director reviews all external materials for the department, sets the guidance for marketing and communications at the department, drafts talking points for the director and deputy director, and manages the all-hands virtual meetings. Is responsible for communications planning and brand management.

Why Helena, Montana?

Helena is Montana’s capital city and a hub for government, healthcare, and outdoor adventure. It offers a small‑city feel with the amenities of a state capital. Residents enjoy short commutes, a walkable historic downtown, and a strong sense of community.

In Helena and the surrounding area, you will find:

Miles of nearby trails for hiking, biking, running, and dog walking.

Easy access to rivers and lakes for fishing, paddling, boating, and swimming, plus skiing and snow sports within a short drive.

A relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with four distinct seasons, vibrant local events, and thriving food and beverage scene.

Montana is known for its wide‑open spaces, public lands, and tight‑knit communities. Helena offers the chance to live in a place people seek out for its landscapes and recreation, while doing work that directly shapes Montana’s future.

Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays). Vacation leave increases with years of service.

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

Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

Longevity pay with continued state service.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combinations of education and experience)

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field.

Three years of job related progressively responsible experience.

Experience in Natural Resources a Plus.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities KSAs:

Knowledge of:

• Communication methods and techniques to establish cooperative working relationships.
• Identifying, analyzing, and gathering pertinent information to satisfy communication needs.

Government operations, public administration, and intergovernmental coordination.

Ability to:

• Prepare press releases, speeches, marketing material or other materials that effectively convey accurate information to the public.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, leadership, legislators, tribes, federal partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Build cooperative relationships with partners.

Special Information:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Eligibility to Work:

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce, within three days of hire, documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card". The State of Montana does not sponsor.

This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After you accept a job offer and complete Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration for verification.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary

100,630.00 - 100,630.00 Yearly Telework Eligibility : Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 15 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Oct 19, 2026, 4:19:41 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Nov 3, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name : Becky Quick | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the 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.