Description:

This position is posted internal to Commerce only and first review will be Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

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. (You can learn more about us here.)

About this Position

Business MT's mission is to retain, expand, and attract businesses that provide an economic impact to Montana communities. Business MT's programs aim to support businesses through technical assistance, research, and access to grants and loans while simultaneously fostering a conducive environment for economic growth to strengthen the state's economy and Montanans' quality of life.

The Revolving Loan Program Specialist position works in the Finance Assistance Bureau and is responsible for administering Federal and State Revolving Loan Program services. The position provides outreach, public relations, and technical assistance to promote programs and support Montana businesses, monitors revolving loan projects and program operations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, resolves problems, and provides management data. The position primarily operates within the Montana Department of Commerce's Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund ("WP RLF") program. The WP RLF program is designed to assist individuals related to the wood products industry, and small businesses that are part of the critical, primary wood processing infrastructure. The Revolving Loan Program Specialist position serves as the primary point of contact for the WP RLF program, responsible for managing all aspects of loan administration and providing essential support to individuals and small businesses within the wood products industry. The daily duties include navigating the complexities of State and Federal program funding, assessing proposed projects for feasibility, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, and facilitating the seamless processing of loan applications. Beyond loan administration, the position will engage in outreach efforts to promote the WP RLF program and encourage potential applicants to explore funding opportunities.

• Administers Federal and State Revolving Loan Programs to support businesses in the state, ensure program compliance
• Conducts research and analysis and interprets federal and applicable state requirements, establishes and modifies project management policies and procedures, and prepares reporting and financial management formats
• Performs a variety of outreach, public relations, and technical assistance activities to promote programs and to support loan recipients in achieving program objectives
• Monitors revolving loan fund projects and program operations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, resolve problems or conflicts and to provide program management data

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor's in business or public administration, finance, management, or a related field plus three (3) years' experience in a government, loan, or economic development program
• Alternate combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competencies:

Knowledge and Abilities:
Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of business and public administration, economic/business development, community planning and development, public relations, training and education, program planning and management, public loan program administration, financing, auditing, compliance monitoring, and project management and administration. The incumbent must attain knowledge of federal and state economic development and financing programs; federal and state laws and administrative rules; Revolving Loan Fund and EDA terminology, rules, guidelines, and procedures; and project-specific regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Montana Environmental Policy Act, and the Davis-Bacon Act.

Requires skill in written and verbal communication, policy development, negotiation and mediation, research and analysis, applying auditing and eligibility procedures, project management, and the use of business software applications; and the ability to analyze and evaluate financial and legal documents, use creativity and resourcefulness, develop programs based on client needs, and assess complex issues to determine their impacts.

How to apply

Apply online by submitting your resume. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & 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:
• Work/life Balance
• Health Coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
• And more...
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - 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

• This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• If you fail to upload the requested application documents and/or preference documents, we will notify you via email. Failure to upload these documents after notification will result in your application being removed from consideration.
• 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.