Tribal Programs Specialist - Apprenticeship

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

• Tribal engagement and relationship building: build and maintain respectful, trust-based relationships with Tribal governments, Tribal leadership, youth programs, and community partners, including the ability to engage in sensitive cultural discussions with humility and respect, and to respect the protocols of Tribal Consultation.
• Culturally grounded program support: design, support, or coordinate programs and initiatives that center Indigenous youth, incorporate Tribal values and cultural strengths, and promote community-driven workforce and youth development outcomes.
• Policy and systems awareness: understand how Tribal, State, and Federal policies intersect in workforce development, youth services, and sovereignty contexts, and use that understanding to help identify barriers and inform practical solutions.
• Collaborative planning and problem solving: analyze needs, identify opportunities, and co-create strategies and solutions with Tribal leadership and partners, including coordinating collaborative initiatives across multiple departments or organizations.
• Communication and facilitation: communicate clearly in writing and in person with diverse audiences, including youth, Tribal councils, program staff, and state partners; facilitate meetings, listening sessions, or trainings that uplift Tribal perspectives and support shared goals.
• Program coordination and follow-through: plan, organize, and track activities across multiple projects or initiatives, follow through on commitments, and help ensure that workforce and youth development efforts are sustainable and aligned with agreed-upon objectives.
• Education and outreach delivery: provide training, presentations, or outreach that translates complex workforce, education, or policy concepts into accessible, culturally relevant information for Tribal youth, families, and community stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in supporting Tribal communities, youth, workforce development, education, apprenticeship, or related community-based initiatives. This may be demonstrated through employment, volunteer service, internships, school activities, cultural involvement, lived experience, or participation in Tribal or community programs.

• Interest in working collaboratively with Tribal governments, Tribal programs, Native community organizations, schools, employers, youth-serving organizations, cultural departments, or nonprofit partners.
• Ability to build respectful working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and to communicate in a manner that is professional, culturally responsive, reliable, and respectful of Tribal sovereignty, community priorities, and local knowledge.
• Basic communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully, share information clearly, prepare routine written materials, and participate in meetings, outreach activities, presentations, or community events.
• Ability to learn and apply new information related to workforce services, education, youth employment, apprenticeship, and community resources.
• Ability to assist with organizing projects, events, meetings, outreach activities, or program tasks involving multiple people or organizations.
• Ability to identify concerns, ask thoughtful questions, gather input from participants or partners, and communicate observations to a supervisor or team.
• Demonstrated dependability, initiative, willingness to learn, attention to detail, and ability to complete assigned work in a timely manner.
• Willingness to travel within Montana, including travel to Tribal communities, schools, partner organizations, meetings, training events, and outreach activities, as assigned.

As part of the apprenticeship position will receive a 5% increase every 6 months until they reach the full ROP which it $38.50

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• Experience, volunteer involvement, internship participation, student leadership, cultural involvement, or community service connected to Tribal communities, Native youth, workforce development, education, community development, or related areas.
• Familiarity with one or more Montana Tribal communities, Tribal government structures, Tribal programs, Native community organizations, or culturally grounded approaches to community engagement.
• Experience participating in or supporting youth programs, school-based activities, career exploration, job-shadowing, work-based learning, mentoring, community events, or similar initiatives.
• Basic familiarity with workforce, education, or public-service systems, including workforce centers, youth employment programs, career and technical education, Registered Apprenticeship, WIOA-funded services, or related programs.
• Coursework, a certificate, or progress toward a degree in American Indian Studies, Social Services, Community Development, Education, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Education and Experience Equivalency

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Postsecondary education is not required for entry into this apprenticeship.

Relevant education, work experience, internships, volunteer service, community involvement, cultural participation, military service, and lived experience may be considered when evaluating whether an applicant demonstrates the foundational skills and interest needed to succeed in the apprenticeship.

POSSIBLE APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITY

This agency may utilize a registered apprenticeship program to train and qualify employees for this position. Employees hired into an apprenticeship placement will be paid on a graduated wage scale that starts below the advertised base rate for fully qualified incumbents. Apprentices will receive predetermined pay increases each time they achieve defined apprenticeship milestones and demonstrate the required competencies. The specific terms, including the wage progression schedule, will be provided in writing at the time of hire.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:

A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed.

Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tip: When attaching your resume, cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as “RELEVANT” or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified required skills and competencies, with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

BENEFITS:

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: You’ll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP - click here to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% - 9.07% of your annual salary.  A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. – Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click here to learn more!
• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

*This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

E-Verify: This agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/