Workforce Development Manager Jobs in Montana (NOW HIRING)

 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: https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=26141508&tz=GMT-06:00&tzname=America/Denver

Help shape the future of Montana's workforce by connecting students with realworld 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.

This position provides service coverage for the eastern region of the state and requires extensive, ongoing travel within the following counties: McCone, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Prairie, Fallon, Powder River, Carter, and Custer.

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 highquality career development and workbased 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 indemand 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 longterm talent pipeline while supporting students, communities, and businesses across the state.  

This position provides service coverage for the eastern region of the state and requires extensive, ongoing travel within the following counties: McCone, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Prairie, Fallon, Powder River, Carter, and Custer.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Become a leader in one of the nation's most innovative workforce strategies by helping implement Montana's 406 JOBS initiative and connecting education, employers, apprenticeships, and communities.  
• Build expertise in career development and workbased learning by working directly with schools, employers, and workforce partners on real projects that shape student pathways.
• Strengthen your data and analytical skills by using labor market information to inform programs, guide decisions, and translate complex data into clear insights for educators and community partners.
• Grow your project and partnership management skills as you coordinate initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and bring diverse stakeholders together around shared goals.
• Develop strong communication, training, and facilitation skills by leading presentations, coaching school staff, and supporting teams as they implement new practices and systems.
• Expand your knowledge of education, workforce, and economic development systems in a way that is highly transferable to roles in public, nonprofit, and private sector organizations.
• This full-time role offers the chance to support communities across Montana while enjoying the state's outdoor recreation, strong sense of community and high quality of life.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead career development collaboration with schools by helping educators design and improve career exploration, planning, and workbased 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 workbased 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 highgrowth 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 careerbuilding 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 oneonone support that help school and community partners confidently implement career development and workbased learning activities.
• Travel to Montana schools and communities to conduct site visits, attend meetings and events, and support local partners with handson assistance and problemsolving.
• 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. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

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 nontechnical audiences.
• Program and partnership coordination: Plan, organize, and coordinate projects or initiatives with multiple partners, managing timelines, followthrough, 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 fieldbased work: Balance multiple priorities, manage schedules and travel, and remain flexible and responsive while working in both office and community settings across the state.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated experience supporting youth, students, jobseekers, or customers in settings such as education, workforce development, social services, counseling, nonprofit programs, or customerfacing 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, customerfocused service.
• Experience working with confidential or sensitive information and applying sound judgment, discretion, and relevant privacy or policy requirements in a professional setting.
• 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.

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 required skills and competencies, 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: 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 - click here 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- click here 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 covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

E-Verify: This agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/