Tribal Programs Specialist

State of Montana•Pryor Creek, OK

About The Position

Shape Montana’s future by standing alongside Tribal Nations to open doors for Native youth and young adults. In 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, you’ll be part of a forward-looking team that believes Native youth are leaders of today—not just tomorrow—and is committed to walking with communities as they design their own futures. 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 Tribal Programs Specialist is a mission driven role that supports Montana’s Tribal Nations in creating sustainable, community led workforce strategies for Native youth ages 16–24. 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. WHAT’S 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.

Requirements

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.

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 eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026.
This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)