Career Development Specialist

State of Montana•Miles City, MT

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Help shape the future of Montana’s workforce by connecting students with real‑world career opportunities. As a Career Development Specialist, you’ll work directly with schools, employers, and community partners to turn career exploration into meaningful pathways for young people. If you enjoy building relationships, using data to solve problems, and making a visible impact in local communities, this role is a strong next step in your career. The incumbent must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of one of the listed Job Service Offices, as the role requires on site work at least one day per week. MISSION STATEMENT: 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. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Career Development Specialist helps education and workforce partners across Montana design and deliver high‑quality career development and work‑based learning experiences for youth As part of the Governor’s 406 JOBS initiative, you’ll help connect education, workforce, and industry partners so every Montanan has a pathway to a career and a plan to achieve it. In this role, you’ll collaborate with schools, Job Service offices, employers, Registered Apprenticeship, and Jobs for Montana’s Graduates (JMG) to build clear pathways from the classroom to in‑demand careers. You will use labor market and workforce data to align programs with local employer needs, ensuring students gain skills that matter in today’s economy. By serving as a connector, strategist, and trusted partner, you will help strengthen Montana’s long‑term talent pipeline while supporting students, communities, and businesses across the state. The incumbent must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of one of the listed Job Service Offices, as the role requires on site work at least one day per week.

Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to: Career development and education practice: Apply career development principles and Montana CTE or similar standards to support student exploration, planning, and pathway development in partnership with educators.
Strategic workforce partnership development: Build and sustain collaborative relationships among education, employers, workforce organizations, and community partners to develop employer-driven talent solutions that strengthen Montana’s workforce.
Labor market and data literacy: Understand and interpret labor market or similar data, draw out key insights, and communicate those insights in clear, practical terms to non‑technical audiences.
Program and partnership coordination: Plan, organize, and coordinate projects or initiatives with multiple partners, managing timelines, follow‑through, and shared responsibilities.
Communication, training, and facilitation: Communicate clearly in writing and verbally, lead group discussions or trainings, and adapt messages to different audiences such as educators, employers, students, and community members.
Relationship building and collaboration: Build trust, navigate differing perspectives, and work effectively with schools, employers, workforce programs, and community organizations toward common goals.
Organization and field‑based work: Balance multiple priorities, manage schedules and travel, and remain flexible and responsive while working in both office and community settings across the state.
Demonstrated experience supporting youth, students, jobseekers, or customers in settings such as education, workforce development, social services, counseling, nonprofit programs, or customer‑facing roles.
Experience planning, coordinating, or delivering programs, projects, events, or services that involve multiple partners or stakeholders (for example, schools, employers, community organizations, or public agencies).
Experience using data or information such as reports, performance metrics, labor market information, survey results, or customer feedback to inform decisions, improve services, or advise others.
Proficiency with everyday office technology, including email, calendars, word processing, and spreadsheets, and the ability to learn and use databases, online systems, or case management/education platforms.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience explaining information to diverse audiences and providing responsive, customer‑focused service.
Experience working with confidential or sensitive information and applying sound judgment, discretion, and relevant privacy or policy requirements in a professional setting.

Nice To Haves

A degree in fields such as education, social services, public administration, workforce development, or a related area may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Lead career development collaboration with schools by helping educators design and improve career exploration, planning, and work‑based learning systems that prepare students for life after graduation and advance the Governor’s 406 JOBS initiative.
Promote awareness of Montana’s four career pathways including college, Registered Apprenticeship, military service, and entrepreneurship, to help students explore multiple routes to successful careers.
Coordinate meaningful work‑based learning opportunities by partnering with Job Service offices, employers, Registered Apprenticeship, and JMG to create registered youth and pre apprenticeships and other experiences that connect students to Montana’s high-‑demand careers.
Use labor market and workforce data to guide decisions by working with economists and data specialists to interpret trends and help schools align pathways with high‑growth occupations and real employer needs.
Leverage workforce and training programs to expand opportunity by connecting education partners to available funding, tools, and resources that help more students access career‑building experiences.
Evaluate and improve career development efforts by collecting feedback and outcome data, identifying what is working well, and recommending changes that support continuous improvement.
Build and maintain strong partnerships across the state by serving as a trusted point of contact for schools, DLI divisions, employers, workforce organizations, and community organizations to advance coordinated talent development strategies.
Provide training and technical assistance by developing and delivering presentations, resources, and one‑on‑one support that help school and community partners confidently implement career development and work‑based learning activities.
Travel to Montana schools and communities to conduct site visits, attend meetings and events, and support local partners with hands‑on assistance and problem‑solving.
Champion implementation of Montana’s 406 JOBS initiative by connecting education, workforce, industry, and community partners to expand career pathways and strengthen Montana’s talent pipeline.

Benefits

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
Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan
Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73%25 - 9.07%25 of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness
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)