Registered Apprenticeship Healthcare Specialist

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=25143079&tz=GMT-07:00&tzname=America/Denver

Join the Montana Department of Labor & Industry as a Registered Apprenticeship Healthcare Specialist and help build the next generation of rural health professionals across the state. In this role, you'll connect employers, educators, and jobseekers to real, on the job training opportunities that lead to in demand healthcare careers and stronger local communities. As part of Montana's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), you'll focus on growing and supporting registered healthcare apprenticeships that help rural and frontier communities recruit, train, and keep the workforce they need.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Responsiveness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Cohesiveness

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:

This position centers on using apprenticeship to solve real workforce challenges in rural healthcare. You'll work directly with hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities, and education partners to design and support healthcare apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship pathways that align with RHTP's workforce development goals, such as expanding clinical training and retaining providers in rural communities. On a typical day, you might help an employer stand up a new apprenticeship program, coach partners through the registration process, translate program rules into plain language, and track outcomes that show how apprenticeships are strengthening access to care in rural Montana.

Essential Functions:

The Registered Apprenticeship Healthcare Specialist will:

• Design and expand healthcare apprenticeship programs by collaborating with hospitals, clinics, and long‑term care facilities to develop registered apprenticeship models that advance RHTP workforce priorities in rural and frontier areas.
• Provide technical assistance on registration and compliance by guiding employers and sponsors through program registration, standards development, work processes, related technical instruction, and documentation requirements.
• Develop pre‑apprenticeship and youth pathways that create structured on‑ramps into registered healthcare apprenticeships and support local talent pipelines.
• Use data to inform strategy by analyzing labor market information, apprenticeship outcomes, and stakeholder input to identify critical occupation shortages and recommend apprenticeship‑based solutions.
• Communicate program requirements clearly by translating apprenticeship regulations, expectations, and processes into understandable guidance for employers, apprentices, educators, and community partners.
• Monitor program quality and compliance by reviewing program materials, tracking progress, and maintaining accurate records and reports to ensure alignment with state and federal apprenticeship regulations and credentialing standards.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with workforce, education, healthcare, and community organizations to integrate apprenticeship into broader rural health workforce initiatives.
• Support evaluation and continuous improvement by reviewing completion, credential, and employment outcomes, and recommending policy or process changes that enhance results for apprentices and employers.

Required Skills and Competencies:

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

• Design workforce and training programs: Apply workforce development principles to create registered apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship models that respond to healthcare occupation demand and support RHTP workforce goals.

• Conduct needs assessments and translate them into standards: Gather and analyze employer and community input, then develop structured program standards, curricula, and training plans that reflect those needs.

• Build and sustain partnerships: Establish and maintain effective relationships with employers, apprentices, education providers, workforce agencies, and community partners in both rural and urban settings.

• Facilitate collaboration: Coordinate cross‑agency and cross‑sector efforts, align roles, and support joint problem‑solving to advance shared rural health workforce objectives.

• Communicate complex information: Present accurate, technically sound explanations of apprenticeship processes, licensing requirements, and credential pathways in clear, accessible language for diverse audiences.

• Develop and deliver presentations and trainings: Prepare and deliver briefings, trainings, and outreach presentations in person and virtually to employers, partners, and community groups.

• Interpret and apply regulations and policy: Read, interpret, and apply state and federal apprenticeship regulations, healthcare occupational standards, and internal policy guidance in daily program decisions.

• Analyze data and recommend improvements: Use program and labor market data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities, and produce data‑informed recommendations for program or policy changes.

• Manage projects and documentation: Organize multiple projects and timelines, maintain accurate records and reports, and meet internal and external reporting requirements.

• Work independently and exercise judgment: Operate with a high level of independence within established policies and frameworks, using sound judgment to resolve issues and follow through on commitments to employers and partners.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

We are looking for a candidate with experience in the following areas (typically at least one year of progressively responsible work in related roles):

• Demonstrated experience supporting or administering programs or services in the healthcare industry (such as workforce, education, human services, business, or apprenticeship programs) that involve defined requirements, documentation, and measurable outcomes.

• Demonstrated experience engaging a wide range of partners-such as employers, schools, workforce agencies, corrections/re-entry organizations, veterans' groups, or community-based organizations-to connect individuals with training, education, and job opportunities.

• Experience communicating complex program or policy information in clear, accessible language through presentations, meetings, or one-on-one conversations with diverse audiences.

• Experience interpreting and applying guidelines, policies, regulations, or standards in a work setting and using sound judgment to make recommendations or decisions.

• Experience organizing, tracking, and documenting program activities, participant information, or outcomes to support reporting, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Experience researching information (such as best practices, laws, regulations, or labor market data) and summarizing findings to inform program or policy recommendations.

• Experience building and maintaining productive, professional relationships that support shared goals, problem-solving, and coordinated service delivery.

• Experience working directly with employers, education or training providers, or community organizations to design, deliver, or support training, career pathways, or talent development initiatives.

• A bachelor's degree in public administration, business, human services, healthcare or related fields may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas listed 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, 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 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)