Apprenticeship Program Specialist

About Idaho Rural Water Association

Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Idaho’s public drinking water and wastewater utilities—most serving communities of 10,000 or fewer. Our mission is to provide on-site technical assistance, professional training, and a strong representative voice for Idaho’s water and wastewater professionals.

IRWA delivers more than 55 statewide training classes each year, two multi-day technical conferences, and an annual outdoor expo that connects utility professionals, vendors, and community leaders. In addition, IRWA administers a statewide Registered Apprenticeship Program designed to prepare the next generation of drinking water and wastewater utility system operators through classroom learning and on-the-job experience.

Apprenticeship Program Specialist Job Description

Overview

The Apprenticeship Program Specialist coordinates daily operations and quality control for IRWA’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, helping keep apprentice records accurate, deadlines visible, classes organized, and participants informed. This position reports to the Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, provides workflow direction to program support staff, and works with apprentices, mentors, employers, instructors, and partner agencies to resolve issues and keep program activities moving.

Key Responsibilities

Program Operations & Quality

• Maintain accurate apprentice records across ATS/RAPIDS and related tracking systems.
• Oversee Related Technical Instruction (RTI), on-the-job training (OJT), attendance, make-up work, apprentice status, completion, and certificate workflows.
• Audit records, identify missing or inconsistent information, and resolve exceptions before they become compliance problems.
• Maintain checklists, trackers, templates, and standard operating procedures; provide workflow direction and quality-control guidance to program support staff.
• Support applicant intake, onboarding, employer enrollment, and retention of participating systems.
• Escalate policy, eligibility, contractual, and unusual compliance questions to the Apprenticeship Program Coordinator.
• Coordinate semester startup, rosters, schedules, books, materials, accounts, reminders, and orientation readiness.

Technology & Communication

• Serve as a primary operational contact for apprentices, mentors, applicants, and employers; explain program processes, answer questions, and provide consistent follow-up.
• Support instructors and live or online classes through basic technology troubleshooting and class logistics.
• Coordinate attendance, recordings, make-up work, and class follow-up with program support staff.
• Assist with curriculum organization, presentation materials, and course-file quality control under the Coordinator’s direction.
• Work with the Coordinator on DOL, DOPL, NRWA, employer, and partner follow-up.
• Coordinate program content with Communications and event staff; refer organization-wide IT, facilities, design, and event-production work to the appropriate staff or vendors.

General Administrative Support

• Prepare recurring reports, ATC materials, VA/veteran documentation, and stipend records; track submission deadlines and maintain organized supporting documentation.
• Support orientations, graduations, job fairs, conferences, and other program outreach activities.
• Improve workflows through documentation, automation, and practical process redesign; identify recurring errors and bottlenecks and recommend ways to reduce rework.
• Coordinate financial source information with Finance; refer accounting, collections, refunds, and financial decisions to Finance, and technical curriculum and instructor decisions to the Coordinator.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Experience in program administration, workforce development, education or training administration, project coordination, compliance, customer service, or a closely related field.
• Drinking water/wastewater, registered apprenticeship, workforce-development, or training-program experience preferred but not required.

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through.
• Strong Microsoft Office and Teams skills, with the ability to learn apprenticeship tracking, learning-management, and shared-file systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including confidence following up with apprentices, employers, partners, and instructors by phone.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and recurring processes while reviewing detailed records for accuracy.
• Ability to work independently, recognize problems, and bring forward practical solutions.

Personal Attributes

• Positive, professional attitude with a genuine interest in learning about Idaho’s drinking water and wastewater industry.
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic, mission-driven workplace.
• Demonstrates integrity, reliability, and a commitment to high-quality work.

Employment Details

This is a full-time position based at IRWA’s Boise office, with travel as needed for program events, employer visits, graduations, and conferences.
Preferred Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Compensation: $21.00 – $25.00 per hour, depending on experience.
Employment Term: To be established by IRWA.

Benefits are provided per IRWA policy and position eligibility.

Application Process

Submit a brief cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a continues basis until the position is filled.

Idaho Rural Water Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or religion as prohibited by the federal Civil Rights Act, or on the basis prohibited by any other applicable law. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the IRWA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person