Career Exploration Coordinator


Career Exploration Coordinator
Date: March 3, 2026
Application Open Until Filled        
_____________________________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND
Elevate Postsecondary Partnership (“the Partnership”) is a dynamic community collaboration facilitated by the United Way of the Blue Mountains. The Partnership unites diverse cross-sector members to strengthen the educational pipeline from cradle to career. Our mission is to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Through targeted funding from the Horizons Regional Grant, the Partnership is expanding career exploration opportunities across the Blue Mountain region. Research shows that internships and job shadowing experiences increase postsecondary enrollment, improve job quality, and boost long-term earnings. Families and students in our region have consistently voiced the need for expanded career exploration opportunities, and this role will help build a systemic, data-driven approach to meet that demand.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Career Exploration Coordinator (“CEC”) will lead the Partnership’s initiative to coordinate and facilitate career exploration opportunities for high school students in the Blue Mountain region that complement existing programs at partner organizations.  The CEC will work collaboratively to design, implement, and expand career exploration opportunities for high school students. This position will build strong relationships with employers, schools, and community partners to create meaningful career exploration experiences, including job shadowing and internships in targeted industries. The CEC will also develop systems to track opportunities, support students in preparing for professional environments, support employers in fostering positive and productive opportunities for students, and ensure equitable access to career-connected learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Development and Coordination

  • Convene and facilitate a career exploration working group to align partners, strengthen support systems, and promote systems-level change.
  • Collaborate with Walla Walla Public Schools College & Career Specialist and CTE Programs & Partnership Coordinator to enhance and expand career exploration opportunities.
  • Complete a needs assessment to complement and enrich systems and resources without duplicating current offerings.
  • Design and implement a regional system for job shadowing, internships, and career exploration.
  • Collaborate with K–12 districts, including to integrate career exploration aligned with the High School and Beyond Plan.
  • Develop onboarding programs for students and employers to ensure readiness and alignment with professional expectations.
  • Adapt and grow career exploration programs as opportunities and needs arise.
  • Complete other duties as assigned.  

Employer and Community Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with local employers, chambers of commerce, and other regional partners.
  • Organize events and networking opportunities with industry partners.
  • Recruit organizations to host job shadow and internship opportunities.

Systems and Data Management

  • Research and evaluate systems for tracking career exploration opportunities and student placements.
  • Collaborate with technical consultants and partners to design a sustainable tracking system.
  • Collect and analyze data to measure program effectiveness and report outcomes.
  • Draft annual reporting to funders.

Student and Family Support

  • Work with College and Career Readiness Advisors to connect students to opportunities.
  • Provide students with soft skills training, reflection activities, and career goal-setting support.
  • Ensure programs are responsive to student, family, and community input and inclusive of diverse career pathways.

Equity and Access

  • Ensure opportunities are accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, including those facing financial, transportation, or childcare barriers.
  • Seek opportunities for compensation models for student participation in higher-intensity activities.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, business, or a related field and three years related work experience, with demonstrated leadership responsibilities.
  • Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with business leaders and co-workers.
  • Demonstrated experience working with youth and a knowledge and passion for youth development, preferably in rural, low-income, or Latino communities.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with a variety of postsecondary options and career exploration opportunities.  
  • Knowledge of state and regional economic and jobs data to inform career exploration programming. 
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to independently manage projects and lead regional efforts. 
  • Access to reliable transportation and valid insurance for travel throughout the region.  


ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Previous experience in project management, preferably in an educational setting.
  • Experience creating or managing career exploration opportunities in an educational setting, including knowledge of laws and regulations related to youth employment.
  • Experience in career and technical education, either as a teacher or administrator.
  • Experience in facilitating workshops and meetings and adapting communication style to engage diverse groups of students, parents, and stakeholders.
  • Written and oral fluency in Spanish.


OTHER
This is a full-time, year-round position that requires in-person work throughout the Blue Mountain region.  Some evening and weekend availability may be required for student, family, and community events.


HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following information to amy@uwbluemt.org and christy@uwbluemt.org  with the subject line 

“CAREER EXPLORATION COORDINATOR APPLICATION”
1.    Cover letter
2.    Resume
We will consider applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
If you have questions, contact Amy Ly, Director of Postsecondary Access, at amy@uwbluemt.org. 
United Way is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.