HELENA -- Another state senator has been hired for an unadvertised state government job, prompting a Republican lawmaker to accuse Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer of rewarding his political allies through the "spoils system."

This time, it's Sen. Sam Kitzenberg, R-Glasgow, who was hired last month for a temporary $43,033-a-year job as a management analyst for the Revenue Department, based in Glasgow, as part of an extensive valuation of agricultural lands.

Last month, the Labor Department hired Sen. Mike Cooney, D-Helena, for an unadvertised, $72,451-a-year job as administrator of its Business Standards Division. He previously was secretary of state for 12 years.

"It's the spoils system, absolutely," charged Rep. John Sinrud, R-Bozeman, who sought information on the hirings from the Legislative Audit Division.

Kitzenberg is one of the Senate Democrats' favorite Republicans because he usually crosses party lines to join them in voting for increased spending for education and has backed tax hikes that other Republicans oppose.

Both senators were hired as temporary employees, which means their jobs don't have to be advertised. In contrast, most state government jobs are advertised and filled through a competitive hiring process. Both men will have to reapply for the jobs a year later when the jobs are advertised as permanent posts.

Sinrud accused Schweitzer of hypocrisy by proposing a ballot measure to impose a two-year waiting period before ex-legislators and other officials can become lobbyists when his administration is hiring sitting senators.

"I think there should be legislation that stops payoffs for legislators and other individuals that the governor may owe favors to," Sinrud said.

Schweitzer scoffed at the criticism.

"Sam Kitzenberg is a competent guy," Schweitzer said. "He's good with numbers. He's lived in the area 20 years. I don't know that you can find a better person for the job."

Schweitzer questioned what "a draftsman" like Sinrud would know about it.

Sinrud said Kitzenberg, with a background as a school teacher, librarian and shoe store manager, isn't remotely qualified for the job.

"There's no experience in the application dealing with appraisals, land value or agriculture," Sinrud said. "Qualified people should get the jobs that they're qualified for."

Kitzenberg dismissed Sinrud's criticism, saying: "It's so like Sinrud. This is the kind of stuff he wallows in."

He said Sinrud was among six Republican lawmakers that formed "a hit squad" to travel to northeastern Montana and unsuccessfully campaign against him in the 2004 Republican Senate primary.

State Revenue Director Dan Bucks called Kitzenberg "a terrific fit for the job" and said he was "delighted" to learn he had put in a state job application.

"He's an accomplished legislator who's known for his common sense, integrity and his ability to work with people," Bucks said. "And given the importance of the ag land valuation process, he is uniquely suited to make sure we stay in touch with farmers and ranchers and the agricultural community generally."

Asked if Kitzenberg was hired for political reasons, as Sinrud alleged, Bucks said, "I think this is a terrific fit. We've got to communicate with farmers and ranchers, and Sam Kitzenberg is the right person to do that job, and that is why he was he hired and for no other reason."

Bucks said the department is undertaking its most extensive agricultural land valuation and reclassification process in 40 years. It's of vital interest to farmers and ranchers in terms of how the reappraisal may affect their property values for tax purposes, he said. Kitzenberg will help develop an outreach program, speak to groups and "be a listening post," Bucks said.

Kitzenberg, a legislator for 12 years, said he was seeking a state job in the Glasgow area so he wouldn't have to resign his Senate seat.

Asked how he learned about the unadvertised job, Kitzenberg said, "I have a few connections." He said Bucks was looking for someone "who was going to be very fair and equitable."

Kitzenberg said he was attracted to the job in part because of Bucks, saying "we have kind of a mutual admiration society. I'm a big fan of his, and he said he admired my independence on the Senate Taxation Committee."

Asked if he considered himself a Republican, Kitzenberg said, "I try to vote what's best for Montana and what's best for my area. It falls where it may. I wouldn't call myself a party animal, and wouldn't call myself a mean legislator, and I wouldn't call myself a part of any hit squad."