Research Associate Jobs in Helena, MT (NOW HIRING)

This first review of applications will be September 4, 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.

For a complete job description, please email opi.careers@mt.gov

To be considered for this position, you must reside in Montana.

Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200 unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPI's purpose with applicable knowledge in education, health, research and analysis, nutrition, finance, administration, human resources, licensing and regulation, information technology, and many others. We are proud to serve 149,000 students pre-K to grade 12, their parents and guardians, 400 school districts, 16,000 educational professionals, and 3,000 adult learners. 

Benefits of working for OPI:

         Work/life balance

         Family friendly

         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 responsible for providing professional accounting, budgeting and fiscal grant management services for various federal grants. These grants, administered by the Office of Public Instruction, total more than $52 million annually.  Duties include establishing SABHRS accounting structures, developing internal accounting systems and controls for financial operations and grant management; distributing funds to sub recipients; fiscal monitoring of sub grantees to ensure their fiscal compliance with federal laws, rules, and regulations, and individual provisions of each federal grant; and providing technical assistance and training to sub recipients.  Congress generally reauthorizes these federal grants every five to six years.  Each grant has its own set of complex federal regulations, frequently changing provisions of those regulations, with variability between programs.  This position is the Lead Worker for the other Accountant 2 grant accountants.  Lead worker functions include training new accounting staff in these positions and providing assistance and ongoing support related to the grant accountant functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

         Knowledge of concepts and theories applicable to professional accounting and budgeting.

         Knowledge of state and federal accounting, budgeting, and auditing policies and procedures.

         Knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental accounting, the Statewide Budgeting, Accounting and Human Resources System (SABHRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

         Knowledge of a large body of complex and ever changing state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, Montana Code Annotated (MCA), The Cod of Federal Regulations (CFR), Office of Management and Budget Circulars (A-87, A-102, and A-133).

         Skills to develop, design, and modify accounting information systems and complex spreadsheet applications required to meet the reporting, budgeting, and accounting demands of the division and agency.

         Skill in the use of personal computers, ten key calculators, and a variety of standard office equipment.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

         Associate's degree in Accounting

         1 year accounting experience or related field.

         Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online, including any veterans or disability preference documentation. 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. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. 

OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This position is in the PERS retirement system.