Office & Budget Administrator — Contracts & Finance

State of Montana; Lewistown (MT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave & holidays

Longevity pay

Insurance package

Telehealth access

Career progression & development

Military leave

Job summary

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation seeks an Administrative Specialist to coordinate accounting, budgeting, and NELO office operations. You will supervise temporary staff, administer contracts, and support fire operations, recruitment, and travel logistics.

The role reports to the Area Manager and requires delivering professional service to internal and external customers while maintaining records and databases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in communications, business administration, accounting, or a related field.
• Equivalencies could include an associate degree in office administration and two years of experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of program administration including governmental accounting and budgeting.
• Contract and lease administration.
• Business English, spelling, composition, and grammar.
• The use of standard and specialized office software (e.g., SABHRS, relational databases, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Analyze, interpret, and explain financial data.
• Gather, research, assemble, and present numerical data and narrative information for use by others.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate accounting and budget activities, track expenditures, process payments, and prepare financial reports.
• Manage day-to-day office operations, including purchasing, supplies, records, correspondence, scheduling, and travel arrangements.
• Administer contracts, office leases, and property inventories to support efficient operations and compliance with state requirements.
• Support fire operations by processing hiring paperwork, payroll, equipment records, incident expenses, and reimbursement documentation.
• Assist employees and supervisors with recruitment, benefits, payroll, travel, and other personnel processes.
• Recruit, train, and supervise temporary administrative employees as needed during peak workloads.
• Process land use licenses, recreation use applications, lease documents, and Farm Service Agency contracts in coordination with program staff.
• Provide helpful, professional service to visitors, lessees, employees, and other customers by answering questions and connecting them with appropriate resources.
• Maintain accurate databases and records, develop office procedures, and help staff troubleshoot routine software and equipment issues.
• Prepare meeting minutes, and assist with special projects and other office needs.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Office software proficiency

Knowledge of governmental accounting

Education

Bachelor degree in communications, business administration, accounting, or related field

Associate degree in office administration + 2 years experience (equivalency)

Tools

SABHRS

Relational databases

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation seeks an Administrative Specialist to coordinate accounting, budgeting, and NELO office operations. You will supervise temporary staff, administer contracts, and support fire operations, recruitment, and travel logistics.

The role reports to the Area Manager and requires delivering professional service to internal and external customers while maintaining records and databases.