Business Compliance Specialist

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:

Are you ready to help shape Montana's business landscape and strengthen confidence in fair employment practices? As a Business Compliance Specialist, you will combine compliance review expertise, strategic analysis, and practical problem solving to help employers build lawful, ethical, and productive workplaces. This position is ideal for professionals who thrive on challenge and complexity, whether your background is in business, human resources, auditing, or compliance. You will expand your expertise in labor law, negotiation, and communication while advancing Montana's commitment to fair and responsible business practices.

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 Compliance Bureau ensures that Montana employers operate with fairness and integrity by promoting voluntary compliance with state and federal labor standards. The Business Compliance Specialist reviews complaints, interprets labor laws, and guides employers toward sustainable and legally sound business practices. This position plays a vital role in protecting workers, promoting fair competition, and strengthening the economic foundations of communities across Montana. Each case presents new opportunities that develop judgment, attention to detail, and confidence in decision making.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Build advanced compliance review, interviewing, and communication skills while collaborating with attorneys, advocates, and partner organizations.
• Develop your analytical and legal reasoning abilities as you manage cases from intake through issuing decisions.
• This experience will prepare you for roles in law, policy, compliance, or public service.
• Gain deep knowledge of labor laws, administrative processes, and evidentiary standards, and understand how case outcomes inform training, community outreach, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen your ability to explain complex legal ideas in plain language and write clear, objective reports that communicate compliance findings effectively.
• This full-time role offers the chance to support communities across Montana while enjoying the state's outdoor recreation, strong sense of community, and high quality of life.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead compliance reviews by assessing potential labor law issues and working collaboratively with businesses to achieve compliance through informal self-audit processes.
• Review complaints to confirm jurisdiction, identify key issues, plan fact finding steps, and monitor each case from intake through resolution.
• Administer prevailing wage programs by designing compliance review plans, evaluating contractor practices, and educating stakeholders on statutory requirements and corrective actions.
• Partner with employers and workers to build trust through clear, impartial communication that ensures understanding of rights, responsibilities, and procedural timelines.
• Evaluate business practices by analyzing payroll records, internal policies, and employment documentation to identify risks, potential violations, and opportunities for improvement.'
• Document and communicate findings by preparing organized, accurate, and legally sound reports that explain outcomes and decision rationale.
• Promote voluntary compliance by guiding employers in developing corrective actions, conducting internal reviews, and adopting sustainable compliance strategies.
• Apply state and federal legal standards to the facts of each case to ensure fair, evidence-based outcomes that align with governing laws and agency policy.
• Provide excellent customer service by responding promptly, professionally, and thoughtfully in both routine and sensitive situations.
• Ensure professional case management by maintaining accurate, timely, and complete electronic records that comply with agency standards and confidentiality requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Clear and professional communication: Explain technical and legal concepts in plain language and compose comprehensive, objective reports.
• Regulatory analysis and application: Interpret and apply state and federal labor standards to complex or novel workplace situations.
• Case and time management: Organize and resolve multiple cases effectively while meeting established timelines and quality standards.
• Stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution: Build credibility with employers, employees, and legal representatives while managing sensitive or complex interactions.
• Analytical reasoning: Assess documents, statements, and other evidence to form logical, defensible conclusions.
• Public communication and outreach: Deliver accurate, accessible training and presentations that promote understanding of labor laws.
• Continuous learning and adaptability: Adjust to evolving laws, policies, and technologies to strengthen service delivery and professional growth.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced labor standards interpretation: Expertise applying Montana and federal labor laws, including wage and hour, workers' compensation, employment verification, and prevailing wage, to complex fact patterns.
• Regulatory program design: Experience creating or improving compliance programs, internal review processes, and corrective action strategies that promote voluntary compliance and consistency.
• Complex stakeholder management: Proficiency in building trust among labor representatives, employers, and partner agencies while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
• Public policy and program improvement: Ability to translate case outcomes into lessons learned that inform policy revisions, training, and community outreach.
• Interviewing and active listening: Skilled at eliciting critical information and building rapport with participants who may hold differing perspective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Two years of related experience conducting compliance reviews, interviews, or similar fact-finding work that requires objectivity, discretion, and strong analytical judgment.
• Experience interpreting and applying statutes, rules, or policies related to wage and hour, workers' compensation, employment verification, or prevailing wage.
• Proven ability to write organized, accurate, and well-reasoned reports and correspondence that support sound decisions.
• Proficiency with computers and common office applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, email, and web-based databases or case management systems.
• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information with integrity and professional judgment applications. (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, email, and web-based databases or case management systems).
• A degree in fields such as Compliance Science, Business, Public Administration or a related area may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

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 eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026.

• 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,