NBC Montana has the latest on the resignation of Angela McLean as Montana's lieutenant governor (all times local):

11 a.m.

A spokesman for Gov. Steve Bullock says Lt. Gov. Angela McLean informed Bullock about her decision to resign only hours before it was announced she had accepted a new job.

Bullock spokesman Tim Crowe says McLean sought the position with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education on her own.

The commissioner's office said Monday that McLean had accepted the job of director of American Indian and minority achievement and K-12 partnerships.

Crowe says Bullock found out when McLean called him Monday morning. Higher education commissioner Kevin McRae says McLean applied for the position in late October.

The Democratic governor is running re-election in 2016. Crowe says Bullock plans to announce a replacement lieutenant governor by the end of the year.

___

10:30 a.m.

State officials say Angela McLean plans to step down as Montana's lieutenant governor to take a new job with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

McLean will remain lieutenant governor until Gov. Steve Bullock appoints a new person to the position.

Higher education commission spokesman Kevin McRae says McLean applied in late October for the position of director of American Indian and minority achievement and K-12 partnerships.

McRae says she was selected from 20 applicants for the position. She is expected to begin work for the commissioner's office in January.

McLean replaced John Walsh as lieutenant governor in February 2014 when Walsh decided to run for U.S. Senate.

She is a Twin Bridges native, a former teacher and was chairwoman of the Montana Board of Regents.

More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM