Education OPT Jobs in Montana

INTRODUCTION

TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University (MSU), established in 1996. Since 1999, TechLink has served as the primary, nationally focused "partnership intermediary” for the US Department of Defense (DoD), helping the DoD to develop productive technology partnerships with US industry, primarily small businesses. In 2019, TechLink began providing the same service to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as its first-ever partnership intermediary. The current program includes three major lines of effort: Technology Transfer (T2) Partnership activities; T2 Impact assessment and return on investment analysis reporting; and T2 Training via TechLink’s Technology Transfer University (T2U). Supporting activities include expanded marketing which enables TechLink to cultivate capable T2 partners and Technology Transition to support transitioning new technologies to government operational use. Cross-functional teams supporting the entire organization include TechLink’s Data Systems & IT team, and the Finance team. TechLink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP). TechLink’s organizational structure includes an assigned team lead role for each major line of effort, supporting activity, cross functional team, TTO and MTIP. The TechLink Finance Team includes the Associate Director for Finance and Operations, Finance Director, an Accounting Associate, and this position. Additional transactional support is provided by MSU Fiscal Shared Services. Together, we work to maintain the financial integrity of TechLink and to optimize the use of our diverse funding sources. As one of only two national Partnership Intermediaries for the Department of Defense and the sole Partnership Intermediary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, TechLink operates within a unique funding environment. Standard financial management models and benchmarks are not readily applicable. The Assistant Fiscal Controller has substantial involvement in developing, monitoring, and executing federally funded project budgets, and responsibility for managing the personnel and contracting processes of TechLink. Work is performed with broad latitude for technical decisions and for representing TechLink in policy discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Examine and analyze financial records and accounting reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards, procedures, and internal controls.
- Act as primary budget/financial resource for specific projects. This includes creating initial budgets, monitoring actual expenditures, and generating financial reports on a regular basis.
- Assist with program oversight and compliance for the various TechLink federal funding instruments including contracts and partnership intermediary agreements.
- Serve as a first point of contact for hiring and payroll issues and is a department liaison with University Human Resources (UHR).
- Serve as a department liaison with Fiscal Shared Services.
- Assist with oversight of TechLink’s contract management system. Direct competitive bid processes to hire consultants and administer resulting contracts and invoice payments.
- Drive meaningful external and management reporting by designing, developing, and implementing improvements to the accounting analytics system.
- Provide leadership, training, and development for new MSU systems and procedures to TechLink staff.
- Coordinate with TechLink, MSU, and external personnel to procure the necessary supplies, goods, and services in accordance with applicable State and Federal guidelines to ensure successful delivery of TechLink projects.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Progressively responsible experience preparing and monitoring complex budgets with a variety of funding types.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply a wide variety of financial and procurement policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated experience using enterprise accounting/procurement systems as well as Microsoft suite.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

- Knowledge of MSU policies, procedures, and systems and/or state and federal guidelines and regulations (2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements).
- Advanced analytical knowledge of accounting data including defining important data, establishing data models, and creating reports and visualizations.
- Demonstrated experience working with human resource functions.

The Successful Candidate Will

- Strong organizational skills and the ability to execute multiple tasks and respond to multiple demands with accuracy, organization, and timeliness.
- Ability and willingness to explain policies, procedures, and complex budget and financial reports to others.
- Aptitude for working with a wide variety of constituencies.
- Take initiative and work independently to manage multiple demands and deadlines while remaining engaged with others to address ad hoc issues.
- Work collaboratively to solve problems and facilitate the work of others.
- Capability of tracking down answers or solutions with relatively little guidance.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Commitment to maintaining confidential and sensitive information.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.

Position is located in Bozeman, Montana.

Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.62, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on June 5, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.