Prosecutions Services Bureau Chief

Division Overview:

The State's Attorney's Office in the Montana Department of Justice is dedicated to ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law on behalf of the people of Montana. The office includes the Solicitor General's Office, Criminal Prosecution and Appellate Services, Civil Services and Consumer Protection. The functions within the office include defense of Montana's laws as passed by Legislature and ballot initiatives passed by the voters, including cases that challenge the constitutionality of the State, prosecution of criminals, handling all phases of litigation from district court proceedings through appeal, and complex litigation of antitrust matters, including various economic markets (pharmaceutical, healthcare, agricultural and information technology industries). Legal counsel and advice to state agencies is provided on a contract, fee-for-service basis. Services typically include litigation, provision of hearings officer services, and may relate to any legal matter.

Job Overview :

The Prosecution Services Bureau provides a broad range of professional legal services, including training and trial assistance, research and consultation, to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as authorized by the Attorney General and mandated by law.

The Prosecutions Services Bureau Chief is responsible for supervision and management duties of the bureau, including case distribution and supervision of bureau attorneys. The incumbent must work within the management structure of the Division to report and handle bureau, division, and department issues. The incumbent also handles independently all phases of simple and complex criminal prosecutions and related civil cases in justice courts, district courts, and the Montana Supreme Court. This requires factual assessment of the case, legal research and writing, preparation of legal documents, and oral presentation of testimony and argument. The incumbent will work with a team of attorneys and support staff on cases, projects, and training.

Job Duties include:

• Caseload management, including review of requests for assistance and case files from all 56 counties of state; assigns cases, projects, and training to staff; coordinates work of entire bureau on cases requiring multiple attorneys or staff; assigns cases to attorneys outside the bureau when necessary.
• Supervision of work by attorneys, including monitoring of progress and resolution of cases and issues; assists attorneys and support staff through consultation. And discussion with case work and training.
• Acts as lead counsel, taking time to coach and oversee the work of junior attorneys; evaluates the work of attorneys within the unit; supervises attorneys outside the bureau with regard to bureau cases.
• Budget consideration, including submission of case date, proposals, and projections; review of expenditures; approval of expenditures; work with department budget personnel regarding budget; reviews and approves timekeeping statements of bureau attorneys.
• Consultation with and reporting to immediate supervisor regarding bureau issues, procedures, and training.
• Serve on management team designed to report to and advise attorney general regarding bureau, division, and department issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from college and an accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Montana (as certified by the Montana Supreme Court) and hold membership in good standing with the State Bar of Montana OR be licensed to practice law in any state with membership in good standing in that state's bar association and be able to become licensed to practice law in Montana within an established time period determined at time of hire.
• Four years of experience leading an organization's legal strategy and handling sensitive or controversial cases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of two years' supervisory/management experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of supervisor and management principles and practices.
• Superior knowledge of Montana Rules of Prosecution Procedure, Montana Rules of Evidence, substantive criminal law, involuntary commitment statutes and decisions, child abuse and neglect statutes and decisions, criminal procedure, post-conviction statutes and procedural bars, and state habeas corpus statutes and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of federal rules of evidence, federal rules of civil procedure, federal rules of Prosecution Procedure, federal habeas statutes and rules, and Rules of the U.S. Supreme Court. Superior research and writing skills, including citation format.
• Thorough knowledge of word processing software, hardware, and data bases. Specialized knowledge in particular areas of the criminal law, including death penalty.
• Superior advocacy skills. Advanced organizational and leadership skills, including teaching skills. Skills in the use of personal computer and standard office equipment.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research.
• Ability to mentor and supervise junior attorneys and paralegal staff.
• Ability to develop and maintain a culture of teamwork, professionalism, efficiency, productivity, timeliness, quality, and accountability.
• Ability to assign cases and projects and to track all cases, issues, deadlines, and caseload statistics, utilizing case management software.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with opposing counsel, judges, court personnel, prosecutors, legislators, and citizens.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple demands at the same time.
• Ability to develop legal strategies and to coordinate briefing to maintain consistent and persuasive legal arguments which advance those strategies.
• Ability to provide consistent, high-quality training to prosecutors and judges using Power Point or similar presentation software.

Special Instructions:

You are REQUIRED to attach a cover letter, résumé, and a legal writing sample of 3000 words or less, from a document or portion thereof, prepared within the last three years at the time of application.

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé and cover letter, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a resume at the time of application .

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a "Relevant File".

Your Resume : Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach the resume to be considered for this position. Failure to attach résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at Terese.Christianson@mt.gov via File Transfer Service .

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify .

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Closing Date/Time: May 10, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

• 

• Montana Department of Justice

• 1 (406) 459-3741

Show more