Executive Director

Division Overview:

The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) is an independent, statutorily created commission established under Senate Bill 45 (2025) and administratively attached to the Montana Department of Justice for budgetary and administrative purposes. JPEC is composed of an 11-member, non-paid commission appointed by multiple branches of state government and other designated appointing authorities, with members serving staggered two- and four-year terms. The Commission is responsible for administering Montana's judicial performance evaluation system for District Court Judges and Montana Supreme Court Justices, including the development of evaluation criteria, oversight of data collection and analysis, review of results, and public reporting as required by law. JPEC operates as a policy-setting and oversight body, relying on a single full-time Executive Director to manage day-to-day operations, coordinate contracted services, ensure statutory compliance, and implement Commission directives in a fair, neutral, and transparent manner.

Job Overview :

The Executive Director serves as the single full-time staff member responsible for the administration, management, and implementation of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC), established under SB 45 (2025). The position ensures that Montana's judicial performance evaluation system for District Court Judges and Montana Supreme Court Justices is fair, transparent, compliant with statute, and operationally sound.

The Executive Director independently administers all operational aspects of the JPEC program, including program development, policy and guideline creation, data systems management, contract/vendor coordination, reporting requirements, and evaluation processes as directed by the Commission. The position functions with significant independence while remaining accountable to the Commission for policy direction, decision-making authority, and public communication.

The position requires strict adherence to principles of non-partisanship, neutrality, and independence in all aspects of program administration, analysis, and public communication.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Commission Chair and works closely with the 11-member Commission, contracted vendors, and relevant stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Administration & Development

• Administer the statewide Judicial Performance Evaluation Program for District Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices in accordance with statute, Commission rules, and procedural guidelines.
• Develop, implement, and refine program procedures, evaluation instruments, rating systems, scoring rubrics, Create and maintain program manuals, operational guidelines, and internal policy documents.
• Conduct needs assessments and develop performance metrics and data measures to evaluate program effectiveness.

Budget & Resource Management

• Support the Commission in managing the JPEC's annual legislative appropriation (~$500,000) in accordance with state fiscal and procurement rules.
• Work collaboratively with the JPEC Finance Chair and/or Commission Chair on budget development, expenditure tracking, forecasting, and fiscal reporting.
• Monitor program expenditures and provide analysis and recommendations to the Commission to support informed budget decisions.

Contract, Procurement, & Vendor Oversight

• Coordinate procurement and manage contracts for third-party vendors (e.g., survey administration, analytics, IT support, data hosting, communications/publications of survey results ) as authorized by the Commission.
• Monitor vendor performance and compliance with contractual deliverables, timelines, and data integrity standards.
• Ensure contract documentation, reporting, and renewals comply with state requirements.

Data Management, Analysis & Quality Assurance

• Design and maintain data systems used to collect, store, analyze, and report judicial evaluation information.
• Oversee secure handling of sensitive evaluation data and survey results.
• Conduct statistical and qualitative analysis and prepare internal summaries for Commission review.
• Identify data quality issues, compliance gaps, or process improvements and present recommendations to the Commission.
• Serve as the program administrator for the JPEC public website, including coordinating updates, maintaining current content, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of posted information, and working with approved vendors or state resources for technical maintenance, as directed by the Commission.

Compliance & Reporting

• Interpret and apply statute, administrative rules, judicial canons, and legislative intent to program operations.
• Ensure all evaluations meet statutory timelines, confidentiality requirements, and quality standards.
• Prepare and submit required reports as mandated, ordered, or otherwise required by statute, Commission direction, or governing authority.
• Monitor national best practices in judicial performance evaluation to inform program development.

Stakeholder, Public Engagement, & Public Information

• Serve as a primary administrative and technical liaison, as directed by the Commission, with judges subject to evaluation, court administration, contracted vendors, and other relevant entities.
• Respond to inquiries and provide technical information regarding program processes, timelines, and requirements, consistent with Commission policy.
• Present program information only under the direction of or with the approval of the Commission, including presentations to legislative committees, judicial forums, or external organizations.
• Coordinate Commission meeting logistics, materials, agendas, and public notices.
• Coordinate with the Commission and contracted vendors to develop and implement public communications related to judicial performance evaluations for declared judicial candidates, as directed by the Commission.

Commission Support & Governance

• Support the Commission Chair and members by preparing agendas, briefing materials, research, and operational analysis.
• Implement Commission decisions and ensure timely execution of authorized directives.
• Maintain official program records, reports, minutes, and documentation in accordance with state requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, social science, business, law, judicial studies, or related field.
• Two or more years of experience in program administration, evaluation, judicial/legal systems, public policy, or related work.
• Other equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge of:

• Judicial branch structure, roles, and functions.
• Principles of program administration, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Public-sector budgeting, procurement, and fiscal management.
• Data collection methodologies, statistical analysis, and survey design.
• Applicable Montana statutes, administrative rules, and public records requirements.
• Principles of confidentiality, neutrality, ethics, and due process.

Skill in:

• Program development and implementation.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Contract and vendor oversight.
• Policy development and technical writing.
• Stakeholder coordination and communication.

Ability to:

• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Exercise sound judgment in a politically sensitive and high-visibility environment.
• Communicate clearly and professionally across diverse audiences.
• Manage competing priorities and statutory deadlines.
• Maintain neutrality, objectivity, and confidentiality in all aspects of the role .

Special Instructions:

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: Jan 14, 2026, 12:29:00 PM

• 

• Montana Department of Justice

• 1 (406) 459-3741

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