Job Description - Program Officer (26140949)
Are you passionate about strengthening Montana communities through service and volunteerism? The Governor’s Office of Community Service (GOCS) invites you to join a collaborative, mission driven team committed to expanding opportunities for AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and community organizations across the state. In this role, you will help Montanans of all ages engage in service that addresses local needs while fostering civic engagement, leadership, and long lasting community impact.
MISSION STATEMENT
Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.
It's 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 Program Officer supports the Governor’s Office of Community Service and the Montana Commission on Community Service in coordinating and overseeing AmeriCorps State programs. The position manages a portfolio of AmeriCorps grantees, ensuring effective program administration, compliance, and continuous improvement. The Program Officer also promotes an ethic of service statewide by supporting subrecipients, facilitating partnerships, and encouraging organizations to use national service as a strategy to strengthen communities.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
As a valued member of the Governor’s Office of Community Service, you will make a direct impact helping Montana communities thrive through national service and volunteerism. You’ll collaborate with passionate professionals who share your commitment to service, continuous improvement, and professional growth. This role offers opportunities to:
- Strengthen communities by supporting programs that help address real, local challenges.
- Develop grant, program management, and public service expertise in a state level setting.
- Build partnerships across government, nonprofits, and local organizations statewide.
- Expand your leadership, communication, and data driven decision making skills in a supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Contribute to a culture that values innovation, learning, and meaningful community results.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Manage AmeriCorps portfolio: Oversee a portfolio of AmeriCorps State programs, providing guidance, technical assistance, and performance oversight to ensure compliance and effective program delivery.
- Coordinate grant processes: Lead Request for Proposals (RFPs) and support the selection and administration of funded programs in alignment with federal and state requirements.
- Ensure compliance and quality: Conduct monitoring visits, reviews, and quality assurance activities to verify adherence to program guidelines and performance expectations.
- Provide technical assistance: Interpret and explain program policies, regulations, and requirements to grantees, subrecipients, and applicants.
- Promote service and partnerships: Act as a liaison with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, host sites, and volunteers to strengthen collaboration and advance an ethic of service.
- Analyze and report data: Track, evaluate, and report on program performance metrics to inform decisions and highlight program impact.
- Develop program resources: Update manuals, materials, and training tools to support continuous learning and program improvement.
- Represent the office: Deliver presentations and participate in events to increase awareness of AmeriCorps and volunteer opportunities throughout Montana.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:
- Program and grant administration: Design, manage, and monitor grant funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and funding guidelines.
- Effective communication: Communicate complex information clearly in writing, conversation, and public presentations for diverse audiences.
- Partnership and stakeholder engagement: Build and sustain collaborative relationships with community organizations, program directors, and government partners to achieve shared goals.
- Data informed decision making: Collect, analyze, and present data to evaluate program outcomes, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
- Strategic planning and organization: Manage multiple deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver high quality results under limited supervision.
- Problem solving and innovation: Diagnose challenges, develop viable solutions, and implement improvements that support program effectiveness and compliance.
- Professional integrity and self management: Manage time, priorities, and confidential information responsibly while demonstrating initiative and accountability.
- Public representation: Deliver clear, engaging presentations to internal and external audiences; create professional, visually compelling materials that effectively communicate program goals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)
- Demonstrated experience in program, project, or grant administration, including interpreting and applying policies, laws, or regulations.
- Experience supporting or managing community service, volunteer engagement, or national service initiatives such as AmeriCorps.
- Experience in research, data reporting, or technical writing that supports program compliance or evaluation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database tools, and the ability to learn specialized grant and reporting systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for explaining technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- A degree in human services, business, education, or a related field 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.
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: You’ll 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.
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, https://www.e-verify.gov/
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 : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.
Salary
$35.80 - 36.49
Hourly 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, 5 % of the Time
Primary Location
Helena
Agency
Department of Labor & Industry Union : 000 - None
Posting Date
Aug 14, 2026, 1:54:52 PM
Closing Date
Aug 31, 2026, 5:59:0 AM
Required Application Materials
Cover Letter, Resume
Contact Information
Name : Office of Human Resources | Email : dliapps@mt.gov | Phone : 406-444-7069
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.