Tribal Programs Specialist - Apprenticeship

Job Description
- Tribal Programs Specialist
- Apprenticeship )

Position Title:

Opportunity looks different when communities lead. This apprenticeship puts you at the center of that work, helping Montana's Tribal Nations create career pathways for the next generation of Native leaders. You'll connect Tribal governments, schools, and partners to programs that remove barriers and open doors for young people. Along the way, you'll gain hands‑on experience and mentorship that set you up for a lasting career in public service.

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team‑based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

The Tribal Programs Specialist is a mission‑driven apprenticeship role that supports Montana’s Tribal Nations in creating sustainable, community‑led workforce strategies for Native youth ages 16–24. Reporting to the Tribal Liaison in the Office of the Tribal Liaison, the apprentice will champion Tribal empowerment and nation building by helping design career pathways that reflect Tribal values, culture, and priorities.
The apprentice will work closely with Tribal governments, Tribal programs, schools, and community partners to connect programs such as 406 JOBS, Jobs for Montana Graduates, registered apprenticeships, and other resources to local visions for economic strength and self‑determination. Through this work, the apprentice will help remove barriers, expand opportunity, and deepen the partnership between the State of Montana and Tribal communities in a way that honors sovereignty and community voice.

• Grow as a leader and practitioner: gain deep, hands‑on experience in Tribal engagement, workforce development, and policy implementation, with access to training, mentorship, and clear pathways for professional advancement.
• Build lasting relationships: develop meaningful, long‑term connections with Tribal leaders, youth, and community partners, along with ongoing opportunities to learn from Tribal cultures, histories, and knowledge keepers in a respectful, relationship‑centered way.
• Make a difference: provide regular input into program design and co‑create new approaches to how the State partners with Tribal Nations.

• Support youth workforce pathways: collaborate with Tribal programs, schools, cultural departments, and community leaders to design and support culturally relevant career and education pathways for Native youth and young adults, including apprenticeships, internships, entrepreneurial efforts, traditional knowledge‑based skills, and workforce exploration opportunities.
• Advance nation‑building strategies: work alongside Tribal Nations to develop and implement workforce strategies that strengthen Tribal economies, build workforce capacity, and promote long‑term, intergenerational prosperity.
• Honor sovereignty and protocols: ensure that all engagement and outreach respects Tribal sovereignty, cultural protocols, and government‑to‑government relationships, and supports nation‑building and self‑determination goals.
• Identify barriers and co‑create solutions: partner with Tribal leadership and stakeholders to identify systemic barriers to workforce access, job creation, and program participation, and collaborate to develop solutions that reflect Tribal priorities and local needs.
• Build and maintain relationships: develop and sustain strong, trust‑based relationships with Tribal leaders, workforce programs, TERO offices, educators, employers, and cultural departments to support shared initiatives and expand economic opportunities.
• Coordinate with DLI programs: s…