Contracts Manager

This position posting will close September 27^th, 2026.   Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

 

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.
• Cover Letter
• Three Professional References

 

Candidates that do not submit the required documents will not be considered in the hiring process.

When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

• Less than full time may be considered for the right candidate.
• An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period.
• The successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check.

 

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

 

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

 

Job Overview:

This position is one of two Office of the Court Administrator’s contracts and purchasing officers for the Judicial Branch. The position reports to the Financial Services Director. The position is responsible for providing direction and technical assistance to staff in developing contracts, trains all staff involved in contracting procedures, develops contract monitoring schedules, and assists with overseeing contractor compliance. This position is also the leader for all Request for Proposal processes including resulting contracts. This position works with Judicial Branch personnel for purchasing of copiers, vehicles, office equipment, etc. to ensure compliance with procurement requirements.

The incumbent works independently with general supervision. The incumbent consults, seeks counsel and receives general guidance from the supervisor on matters concerning project planning and work in progress; keeps supervisor apprised of current and planned contracting projects and issues affecting the department and/or the work unit through meetings and written progress reports. Supervision is generally not exercised but may be done on a project basis.

Job Duties\:  (Any on position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed)

• Incumbent is responsible for directing and managing very large, diverse projects and needs that are unique to the Judiciary; researches and formulates recommendations to the court administrator or staff person. 
• Receives and monitors PIF plans from Youth Court chiefs and forwards recommended plans to the Court Administrator.
• Works to develop agenda for Cost Containment Panel.
• Schedules meetings and provides meeting minutes.
• Audits and processes PIF contract invoices for payment.
• Authors, revises, and enforces use of standard contract and Request for Proposal shells.
• Authors and revises the contracting manual which includes drafter's use instructions. 
• Distributes manuals to all Judiciary locations and support personnel which sets forth the standards for uniform consistency of contract format, structure and contracting requirements in compliance with state contracted services and procurement laws (18-8-101 through 18-8-112).
• Consults and collaborates with Department of Administration, State Purchasing, whenever solicitation of contracted services must be administered under their authority. 
• Reviews contracts for appropriate format, written clarity of contractor's scope of work, responsibilities, and compensation statements.
• Verifies that independent contractor status has been obtained, and that insurance limits and indemnification language is balanced with the level(s) of contractor's risk exposure. 
• Incumbent keeps regular contact with supervisor, judges, court personnel, state and local government officials including the State Procurement Office and court organizations to provide explanations, coordinate activities, gather information, respond to inquiries, and resolve complaints.
• Incumbent is instrumental in automating the contracting process for the Judicial Branch including implementation of eMACS.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a standard office setting. Some travel may be required.

 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Extensive knowledge of the theory and principles of state procurement, risk management and contracting laws and procedures.

Must possess ability to effectively organize, manage, and efficiently direct a diverse contracting program.

Ability to negotiate effectively and successfully with contractors and their agents, often under very stressful circumstances. 

Capable of providing effective, professional leadership to professionally diverse staff, individually and in large group situations, and possess superior communication skills both written and oral.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other agencies, the public and elected officials is critical to this position.

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.

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration or a similar field and at least two years of experience with managing public contracts.  Experience with the state procurement rules and statutes is required. Alternative combinations of relevant education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.