Tribal Programs Specialist

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: Montanas future by standing alongside Tribal Nations to open doors for Native youth and young this role you will help build culturally grounded workforce pathways that celebrate identity uphold Tribal sovereignty and create real opportunities close to home. Following protocol through authentic consultation youll be part of a forward-looking team that believes Native youth are leaders of todaynot just tomorrowand is committed to walking with communities as they design their own futures.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

Its 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 DLIhere.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Tribal Programs Specialist is a mission driven role that supports Montanas Tribal Nations in creating sustainable community led workforce strategies for Native youth ages 1624. Reporting to the Tribal Liaison in the Office of the Tribal Liaison you will champion Tribal empowerment and nation building by helping design career pathways that reflect Tribal values culture and priorities. You will work closely with Tribal governments Tribal programs schools and community partners to connect programs like 406 JOBS Jobs for Montana Graduates registered apprenticeships and other resources to local visions for economic strength and self-determination. Through this work you 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.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

You will grow as a leader and practitioner gaining deep hands-on experience in Tribal engagement workforce development and policy implementation with access to training mentorship and clear pathways for professional advancement.

You will have opportunities to build meaningful long-term relationships with Tribal leaders youth and community partners as well as ongoing opportunities to learn from Tribal cultures histories and knowledge keepers in a respectful relationship centered way.

You will make a difference by providing regular input into program design and co create new approaches to how the State partners with Tribal Nations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 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 sustains 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: Serve as a bridge between DLI programs (e.g. 406 JOBS WIOA Jobs for Montana Graduates registered apprenticeship unemployment insurance workers compensation and occupational licensing) and Tribal partners ensuring information resources and support are communicated clearly and effectively.
• Provide cultural guidance and training: Advise DLI staff and leadership on culturally grounded practices Native youth engagement and Tribal priorities and supports or delivers training on Native American history cultural strengths sovereignty and effective outreach strategies.
• Support strategic outreach and sustainability: Assist the Tribal Liaison and leadership team in implementing outreach consultation and engagement strategies that emphasize long term sustainability Tribal readiness and youth centered nation building values.

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. 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)

• Experience working with Tribal governments Tribal programs or Native community organizations on youth development workforce initiatives community development or related policy or program areas.
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with community partners such as schools employers youth programs cultural departments or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience planning coordinating or supporting programs projects or initiatives that involve multiple partners and are designed to improve opportunities or outcomes for youth communities or under served populations.
• Experience communicating with diverse audiences including preparing written materials that reflect Tribal perspectives and strengths and providing verbal presentations or facilitation in community or youth settings.
• Experience identifying needs or barriers gathering input and contributing to the development of solutions or recommendations especially in Tribal rural or community based contexts.
• Familiarity with workforce education or related service systems (such as WIOA programs youth employment apprenticeships or similar initiatives) is helpful but not required if candidates bring strong transferable skills in Tribal partnership youth work and community engagement.
• A degree in American Indian Studies Social Services Community Development Education or a related field may supplement relevant professional or community experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education community involvement lived experience and directly related professional experience will be considered.

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 Knowledge Skills and Abilities 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: Youll 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 - clickhere 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- clickhere 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 eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1 2026.

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