Veteran Services

  • Montana Department of Labor & Industry serves all transitioning military service members, veterans, and eligible spouses, assisting them to access training and maximize their employment opportunities.  When visiting a Job Service Montana office, please identify yourself as a veteran or eligible spouse.

    Employment Specialists at Job Service Montana offices assist all military service members, veterans, and eligible spouses. Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) are located at several Job Service Montana locations and trained to assist veterans (and in some cases, their families) when they encounter more severe challenges obtaining employment.

     You may be eligible for Priority of Service if –

    You served in the United States military; or were activated as a member of a National Guard or Reserve unit. Or are the spouse of—

    1. A veteran who died of a service connected disability;
    2. A member of the Armed Forces who is:
      1. Missing in action;
      2. Captured in line of duty; or
      3. Forcibly detained by a foreign government or power;
    3. A veteran who has a Department of Veteran Affairs total disability rating
    4. A veteran who died while a Department of Veterans Affairs total disability rating existed.

     

  • Employment Specialists at Job Service Montana offices can assist all veterans in securing employment and training, as well as refer Veterans to other service providers in both public and private agencies and organizations. Below is a list of contact information for all of Job Service Montana offices, with specific listings for DVOP Specialists.   Visit a Job Service Montana Officenear you.

    DVOP
    Dan Altmaier Billings (406) 655-6065 daltmaier@mt.gov
    David Pressler Bozeman (406) 582-9219 david.pressler@mt.gov
    Shannon Ray Butte (406) 494-0313 shannon.ray@mt.gov
    Chelsea Keller Great Falls (406) 791-5865 Chelsea.keller@mt.gov
    Steve Beaty Helena (406) 447-3219 stephen.beaty@mt.gov
    James Graham Kalispell (406) 758-6279 james.graham@mt.gov
    Shannon Noble Missoula (406) 542-5754 snoble@mt.gov
    Ian Kerr Polson (406) 883-7898 IKerr@mt.gov

     

    All other Job Service Montana locations are able to assist Veterans and will refer to DVOPs as necessary.

    Contact Information

    Justin Toth - Veteran Program Manager

    (406) 444-1630   justin.toth@mt.gov

    Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Vocational Rehabilitation provides services and assistance to certain veterans with disabilities to get and keep a suitable job...Read More

Veteran Benefits

  • The State of Montana has the following benefits available to honorably discharged veterans:

    • Discharge papers are recorded without charge by the Clerk and Recorder of each county in a book provided for this purpose.
    • Copies of recorded Discharges are furnished without charge when needed for Veterans Administration claims, State Bonuses and some other claims by or for the individual veteran.
    • There is a payment of $250.00 made by the county in which the veteran was a resident at the time of his death. The County Commissioners make the determination as to residency. This can be paid to any such resident veteran who dies when he is temporarily absent from the State on account of illness, on temporary employment, or vacationing. If any veteran leaves Montana to reside or is residing elsewhere at the time of death, the individual is not eligible for the burial benefit.
    • The county of residence at the time of death will pay up to $30.00 toward the setting of a Government grave marker in the cemetery at the grave of an honorably discharged veteran.
    • Assistance, without charge, is furnished by Service Officers of the Veterans Affairs Division of the State of Montana.
    • Tuition waivers are provided at the units of the University of Montana system. This is available only to wartime veterans no longer eligible for VA educational benefits and who are Montana residents.
    • Tuition waivers are provided at the units of the University of Montana system for orphans or children of veterans who dies in service, or dies of service incurred disabilities. The period of eligibility begins on the child's 18th birthday. If this person serves on active duty in the armed forces between his 18th and 23rd birthdays, then the period of eligibility is extended to five years after his first discharge or release from such active duty. In no event can the period of eligibility be extended beyond the 31st birthday.
    • Honorably discharged veterans of the United States may receive preference when applying for positions in which they are qualified, in State, County, or Municipal appointments.
    • Honorably discharged veterans, who are Montana residents, are eligible to apply for admission to the Montana Veterans Home. Spouses and surviving spouses of honorably discharged Montana veterans are also eligible to apply.
    • Veterans with service connected disabilities of 100% are eligible for free automobile license plates for one vehicle.
    • Veterans with service connected disabilities of 100% or their surviving spouses may be exempt from real property taxes.
    • Certain disabled veterans are eligible for free fishing and reduced hunting licenses.
    • Other than dishonorably discharged veterans and their spouses are eligible for burial in the State Veterans Cemetery.
  • The U.S Department of Veteran Affairs homepage provides information about the department, benefits and healthcare, locations, and crisis assistance. The site provides links to forms and outreach events among many other resources.
  • The Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors webpage includes a link to the current benefits guidebook.
  • The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) webpage includes information independent living, the transition to civilian employment, education and training plus many more resources.
  • U.S. Department of Labor - Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
    The U.S. Department of Labor's Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) webpage provides assistance to those experiencing service-connected problems with their civilian employment and provides information about USERRA to employers.

  • VETS priorities are:

    1. Get the military to civilian employment transition right.  
    2. Leverage partnerships to maximize employment outcomes.

    Additional information is available at Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

Employment Services

Job Service Montana is committed to assisting all military service members, veterans, and eligible spouses obtain employment and and training.

Registering for work enables your access to online job searching, uploading a resume, employment notifications and allows employers to review your resume.  To get the most out of work registration visit aJob Service Montana Office

Computers, internet, the Montana Career Information System, copiers, fax machines, printers, and phones are available to assist job seekers.

 

Licensing & Certification

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Veteran Employment and Training Service Providers may be able to assist veterans earn civilian credentials using vocational and technical skills they learned while in the military.  In addition to making the transition to civilian life a little easier for separating military veterans, credentialing makes good economic sense.
  • The Licensing and Certification program assists separating military personnel to convert their military training and experience to a license or certification needed for a civilian career. By obtaining a civilian career license or certification, a military veteran may attain a higher economic living standard. For more information on how Montana Veteran’s Employment and Training Program staff may be able to help you in gaining a civilian license or certification, contact your local Veteran's Employment Representative.

  • You can receive reimbursement for licensing and certification tests you take on or after March 1, 2001. These tests must be specifically approved for the G.I. Bill. VA can pay only for the cost of the tests and not other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification.

    Montana - State Approving Agency Contacts
    Ken Gemlich, SAA Director Director Veterans' Education and Training (406) 444-4122  kgemlich@mt.gov