Program Officer 2

State of Montana • Helena, MT

2d

About The Position

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Public Health and Safety Division, Financial Operations and Support Services Bureau, is hiring a Program Officer 2 to serve as the Laboratory Services Bureau’s purchasing subject matter expert and contract management lead. The position supports laboratory programs, including the Environmental and Public Health Laboratories, by coordinating procurement and contract activities, monitoring compliance with state and federal requirements, analyzing program and purchasing data, improving operations, maintaining program procedures, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.

The role provides technical expertise in purchasing, accounts payable, procurement, and contract management. Purchasing duties include acquiring supplies, goods, and services while ensuring the quality, efficiency, and compliance of accounting procedures and budgets. The position researches, reconciles, evaluates, reviews, and enters payments for vendor invoices. Contract duties include tracking contract cycles and preparing contracts and amendments in accordance with procurement rules and procedures. The role uses systems including PERQS, AWACS, SABHRS, Quartezy, eMACS, and Excel worksheets.

This position may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to conditions set by the supervisor and state policy. Applicants must submit a state application, cover letter, resume, and references through the Montana State Careers website. Successful applicants are subject to position-relevant background checks and must pass reference checks before an offer is extended.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a related field.
• Three years of job-related experience; equivalent combinations of related education and experience may be considered case by case.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and state regulations used in Montana’s procurement system and public purchasing.
• Advanced knowledge of accounts payable processing, principles, practices, and techniques.
• Ability to evaluate contracts, solve problems, negotiate with vendors, and resolve vendor issues.
• Knowledge of research and data-analysis methods and procedures, analytical and quantitative techniques, and procurement processes.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with moderate supervision.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment, including word processing, Excel, email, internet, and other computer programs.
• Submit the state application, cover letter, resume, and references through the Montana State Careers website.
• Pass position-relevant background checks and reference checks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate procurement and contract activities supporting laboratory programs.
• Serve as the Laboratory Services Bureau’s purchasing subject matter expert and contract management lead.
• Monitor compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Analyze program and purchasing data and support operational improvements.
• Maintain program procedures and ensure effective stewardship of public resources.
• Purchase supplies, goods, and services while ensuring accounting procedures and budgets are high-quality, efficient, and compliant.
• Research, reconcile, evaluate, review, and enter payments for vendor-related invoices.
• Track contract cycles and prepare contracts or contract amendments in compliance with procurement rules and procedures.
• Use PERQS, AWACS, SABHRS, Quartezy, eMACS, and Excel worksheets to perform job duties.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Work/life balance
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level