Registered Apprenticeship Specialist - Billings

State of Montana•Billings, MT

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Montana Department of Labor & Industry as a Registered Apprenticeship Specialist and turn real workforce challenges into career-launching opportunities for Montanans. In this mission-driven role, you’ll connect employers, educators, and jobseekers to paid, on the job training that builds in demand skills and strengthens local communities. You’ll focus on growing and supporting registered apprenticeships that help communities recruit, train, and keep the workforce they need. 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: As a Registered Apprenticeship Specialist with 406Jobs, you’ll use apprenticeship as a practical tool to solve real workforce challenges, not just administer a program. You’ll work directly with employers, schools, workforce partners, and reentry organizations to design and support apprenticeship and pre apprenticeship pathways aligned with Montana’s workforce goals. One day you might help a small business launch its first apprenticeship; the next, you’re coaching a school district through teacher apprenticeship registration or translating complex rules into clear, plain language for a new sponsor. Every week, you’ll see the results of your work in new apprentices signed, new programs launched, and new careers started in and around your local community.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience designing, managing, or supporting programs related to workforce development, education, business, or human services.
Experience engaging employers, schools, and community partners to connect individuals with training or employment opportunities.
Proven ability to interpret and apply program guidelines, policies, or technical requirements in a professional work setting.
Experience analyzing data, tracking performance, and preparing reports to document compliance or inform decisions.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including experience presenting or explaining complex topics in accessible terms.
Ability to design registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models that respond to employer demand, support workforce goals, and create practical pathways into high-demand careers across Montana.
Skill in gathering employer, partner, and community input, identifying workforce gaps, and turning that information into structured program standards, training plans, and workable apprenticeship models.
Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with employers, schools, workforce partners, unions, community organizations, and public agencies in both rural and urban settings.
Demonstrated ability to bring multiple partners together, align roles and expectations, and move shared projects forward in a way that builds trust, clarity, and momentum.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical processes, program requirements, and complex regulations in clear, practical language for different audiences.
Skill in preparing and delivering presentations, trainings, and outreach sessions that help employers, educators, and partners understand apprenticeship opportunities, expectations, and next steps.
Ability to interpret and apply state and federal apprenticeship regulations, occupational standards, and internal guidance accurately and consistently in day-to-day work.
Ability to use labor market information, program data, and feedback to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and recommend improvements that strengthen programs and expand impact.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, track timelines, and meet reporting requirements with attention to detail.
Ability to work independently within established frameworks, make sound decisions, solve problems thoughtfully, and follow through on commitments to employers, partners, and program participants.
Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, human services, or a related field may supplement relevant experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in these areas.
Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Design and expand apprenticeship programs by teaming up with employers, unions, and education and workforce partners to launch innovative registered apprenticeship models that unlock high quality, in demand careers across the region.
Provide technical assistance on registration and compliance as the go to guide for sponsors, walking them through registration, standards, work processes, related instruction, and documentation so their ideas become approved, functioning programs that meet all requirements.
Develop pre-apprenticeship and youth pathways that give high school students, career changers, rural residents, and underrepresented Montanans a clear, structured on ramp into apprenticeship and long term, living wage careers.
Use data to drive strategy by digging into labor market information, program outcomes, and local feedback to pinpoint talent gaps and pitch apprenticeship as the smart, results driven solution.
Communicate program requirements clearly by turning dense regulations and technical language into practical, plain spoken guidance that employers, apprentices, and educators can actually use.
Monitor program quality and compliance by keeping a close eye on standards, records, and outcomes, making sure programs meet state and federal requirements while still working for real world employers and apprentices.
Build and manage strategic partnerships by connecting workforce, education, community, tribal, and re entry partners so apprenticeship becomes a core strategy in regional workforce and economic development.
Support evaluation and continuous improvement by tracking completion, credential, and employment outcomes and bringing forward smart recommendations that make programs stronger year after year.

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% - 9.07% 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)