Pre-Hearing Attorney

Job Description - Pre-Hearing Attorney (26141792)

Position Title:

Pre-Hearing Attorney - (26141792)

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=26141792&tz=GMT-06:00&tzname=America/Denver

Are you looking for meaningful public service work that directly impacts Montanans? As a Pre‑Hearing Attorney with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, you will help protect the public and support fair, consistent regulation across licensed professions. This role offers a collaborative, growth‑oriented legal environment where your analysis, judgment, and writing help ensure lawful and efficient outcomes.

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 DLI here.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Office of Legal Services within the Department of Labor & Industry provides legal support to occupational licensing boards and programs statewide. This position focuses on reviewing complaints, unlicensed practice matters, and non routine licensing applications to assess legal and factual sufficiency. The Pre Hearing Attorney prepares recommendations and presents matters to boards and programs to support informed, consistent decision making. This role advances the Division's mission by promoting public protection, regulatory consistency, and efficient case progression.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Meaningful public protection work - You will help ensure that occupational licensing complaints are reviewed carefully, consistently, and fairly, supporting both public safety and the integrity of Montana's licensed professions.
• A legal role centered on analysis, judgment, and writing - This position is designed for an attorney who wants to evaluate evidence, apply professional standards, identify legal issues, and produce clear recommendations.
• Exposure to a wide range of professions and regulatory issues - You will work with complaints, unlicensed practice matters, and non-routine licensing applications involving licensed professionals, applicants, licensees, board staff, investigators, and programs across the Department's occupational licensing structure.
• Collaborative public-sector practice - You will work with Legal colleagues, licensing staff, investigators, board leadership, and program personnel to help matters progress in a way that is legally sound, operationally realistic, and respectful of the Department's role.
• A chance to build systems and consistency - Your work will help improve complaint review, unlicensed practice evaluation, documentation, issue tracking, and decision support across high-volume regulatory programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Review licensing complaints: Evaluate allegations involving unprofessional conduct, statutory or rule violations, and scope of practice concerns for boards and programs.
• Assess unlicensed practice: Analyze allegations of unlicensed activity, apply legal standards, and recommend appropriate next steps within regulatory authority.
• Evaluate complex applications: Review non routine licensing applications involving legal or factual issues such as prior discipline, criminal history, or incomplete information.
• Analyze legal sufficiency: Examine investigative materials, statutes, rules, and records to identify key facts, evidentiary gaps, and threshold legal issues.
• Prepare written recommendations: Draft clear, objective memoranda, summaries, and decision support documents for internal and board use.
• Present to boards and programs: Communicate complaint analyses, application issues, and recommendations in a neutral, decision ready manner.
• Coordinate case development: Work with investigators and program staff to obtain necessary information and move matters forward efficiently.
• Promote consistency and improvement: Support standardized review practices, accurate documentation, and data informed process improvements across programs.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Legal analysis and interpretation: Apply statutes, administrative rules, and professional standards to varied regulatory scenarios.
• Clear legal writing: Produce concise, well‑reasoned written work that supports agency decisions and communicates complex issues effectively.
• Professional judgment and risk assessment: Evaluate evidence, identify procedural or legal risks, and determine appropriate escalation.
• Investigative review and issue identification: Distinguish between allegations, evidence, and legal thresholds while maintaining objectivity.
• Problem solving and case progression: Advance matters efficiently while balancing thoroughness with practical decision‑making.
• Organization and workload management: Manage high‑volume caseloads, track deadlines, and maintain accurate, reliable records.
• Communication and collaboration: Work effectively with attorneys, investigators, staff, and board members, presenting information clearly and professionally.
• Adaptability and learning agility: Quickly develop working knowledge of diverse professions, regulatory frameworks, and program requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the State Bar of Montana, or eligibility for admission within a reasonable period after hire.
• Demonstrated ability to perform legal analysis, writing, and regulatory review involving statutes, rules, and professional standards.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, or policies in areas such as administrative law, licensing, compliance, investigations, or public sector practice.
• Experience managing detailed information, maintaining confidentiality, and exercising sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn case management or electronic records systems.

A degree in law is required for this role; however, equivalent combinations of relevant legal experience and demonstrated competencies will be considered where consistent with position requirements.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:

A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed.

Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tip: When attaching your resume, cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as "RELEVANT" or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified required skills and competencies, with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

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 - click here 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- click here to learn more!
• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.
• This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

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: $

51.61 - 55.85 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

: 2 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

: Helena

Other Locations

: Billings, Butte, Missoula, Kalispell, Bozeman, Great Falls Agency: Department of Labor & Industry Union: 000 - None

Posting Date

: Jul 11, 2026, 12:19:51 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer''s timezone)

: Aug 10, 2026, 11:29:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name: Office of Human Resources | Contact Email: dliapps@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-444-7069 The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency''s 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.