Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program Specialist

About the Department

The Department of Commerce aims to make sure Montana is the best place to work, live and play. We work alongside private industry and local organizations to create jobs, grow businesses, develop affordable housing, and improve community infrastructure.

We uphold excellence, integrity, engagement, and innovation by delivering respectful, creative, and accountable service through collaborative, resilient teams. Rooted in a deep love for Montana, we proudly embody its authenticity, independence, and industry as we serve and partner with Montanans.

(You can learn more about us here.)

About the Position

This role helps administer the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) program and supports the Montana Main Street (MMS) program. The successful candidate will guide grant recipients through program requirements, monitor projects and funding, maintain accurate records, and build relationships with communities and preservation partners throughout Montana.

In this role, you will:

• Oversee a portfolio of 30 historic preservation grants, ensuring projects progress from startup through closeout in alignment with program requirements.
• Apply strong skills in contracting, reimbursement processing, financial review, and documentation verification to support compliant and efficient grant delivery.
• Maintain accurate tracking of deadlines, expenditures, communications, and required documentation using Excel and other systems to support informed decision‑making.
• Monitor project progress, identify inconsistencies or concerns, and independently research program records and policies to resolve questions.
• Explain complex program processes clearly to recipients with varying experience levels and respond effectively to inquiries about MHPG and Montana Main Street programs.

This position is open until October 1, 2026.

What are we looking for?

To thrive in this role from day one, you should be able to demonstrate the following qualifying skills:

• Strong organization and project management abilities, including managing multiple priorities, maintaining reliable tracking systems, and ensuring accurate documentation through completion.
• Advanced spreadsheet and recordkeeping skills, with experience using Excel to organize and analyze data, identify inconsistencies, and review financial information with accuracy.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, demonstrated through clear explanations of complex requirements, professional guidance, and strong relationship-building with coworkers, partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and community development, supported by an interest in historic preservation, and understanding of government operations.
• Ability to travel independently throughout Montana, along with optional experience in areas such as grant work, preservation practices, community engagement, education, or construction-related documentation.

How to apply:

Apply online by submitting your resume. Please note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education and certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.

Benefits:

Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life balance,

o Health coverage,

o Retirement plans,

o Paid vacation and sick leave and holidays,

o And more…

o Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify.

Other important information to be aware of:

• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• This position allows for a hybrid work schedule from a remote location within the state of Montana. Weekly travel to Helena offices will be required. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy. New employees may be required to complete training in person before hybrid work schedules begin.

This agency participates 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, Link to E-Verify Website