Iowa Office of Apprenticeship Project Manager

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) is seeking a highly organized Project Manager to advance Iowa’s work-based learning (WBL) system while supporting key Registered Apprenticeship (RA) initiatives. This role is central to expanding high-quality, sustainable WBL experiences such as pre-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other “earn and learn” pathways that connect students and adults directly to in-demand careers. The Project Manager works closely with businesses, schools, and community organizations to help them design and implement strong WBL strategies. This includes providing technical assistance, advising on program structure, supporting goal development, and promoting new opportunities that strengthen local talent pipelines. The position also assists the State Apprenticeship Director by coordinating major RA projects, developing clear project plans, and creating the internal processes and data tracking tools needed to support effective implementation. Collaboration is a key aspect of the role. The Project Manager works in partnership with IOA staff, Iowa Workforce Development teams, and leaders across the agency to ensure WBL and apprenticeship initiatives align with broader workforce priorities. Externally, the Project Manager serves as a primary point of contact for community colleges, high school administrators, school boards, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, employers, and other stakeholders engaged in expanding work-based learning across the state. The Project Manager also contributes to ongoing IOA and IWD efforts and supports emerging projects as assigned. Candidates should demonstrate strong project management skills, clear communication, and the ability to work effectively with diverse partners to strengthen Iowa’s apprenticeship and WBL ecosystem.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to four years of full-time professional-level work in program administration, program development, program operations, or management.
• A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Two years of full-time professional-level work experience in program administration, program development, program operations, or management; and a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, public health, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience.
• Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Executive Officer 1 or comparable specific management-level position.
• Strong project management skills.
• Clear communication.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse partners.

Responsibilities

• Advance Iowa’s work-based learning (WBL) system.
• Support key Registered Apprenticeship (RA) initiatives.
• Expand high-quality, sustainable WBL experiences such as pre-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other “earn and learn” pathways.
• Work closely with businesses, schools, and community organizations to help them design and implement strong WBL strategies.
• Provide technical assistance, advise on program structure, support goal development, and promote new opportunities.
• Coordinate major RA projects.
• Develop clear project plans.
• Create internal processes and data tracking tools needed to support effective implementation.
• Partner with IOA staff, Iowa Workforce Development teams, and agency leaders.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for community colleges, high school administrators, school boards, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, employers, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to ongoing IOA and IWD efforts.
• Support emerging projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including nine paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with no cap on the sick leave accrual.
• IPERS retirement package.
• Additional optional deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Free Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Employee Assistance Programs and Discount Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager