Career Programs Coordinator

Full Time: 100% FTE, 40 hours per week

Compensation Range: $25.00 - 27.00 per hour, non-exempt

Benefits Overview: Medical, vision, dental and life insurance, vacation and sick time off, paid federal holidays, and retirement plan (See full job description for more details).

Organization Size: 50+ employees

Reports to: Director Program Operations

Location(s): This position may work at either of the following centers: Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto or Stockton, CA. Travel for work in between centers is required on occasion. May be eligible for remote work after a successful completion of the first 90 days of employment.

Organization Overview:

Digital NEST is an innovative workforce development center that has welcomed thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across the Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Career Programs Coordinator supports the execution and continuous improvement of Career Programs across all Digital NEST centers. In this role, the coordinator reviews member engagement to help identify gaps, facilitates day-to-day tracking, and assists programs in aligning with standardized programmatic criteria for career services offerings. Collaborating closely across departments, the Coordinator serves as a key liaison to ensure high-quality, consistent career programming that sets members up for success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Career Services Programming & Events (35%)

• Plan, coordinate, and lead regional, large-scale career-building events, including industry tours, guest speaker engagements, workshops, and other experiential career-focused learning opportunities.
• In collaboration with the BizzNEST Partnerships Manager, cultivate relationships with local industries and partners to secure guest facilitators and expand workshop offerings for members.
• Manage event logistics to ensure accessibility for members, associates, and alumni, while maintaining a core focus on member and community needs.
• Integrate next-step guidance into all centralized exposure events so members can immediately act on their interests and explore career pathways.
• Coordinate post-event debriefs with program staff, center staff, and partners to gather feedback and identify opportunities to better support members' next steps.

Resource Creation & Implementation (35%)

• In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Curriculum and Coaching, support the development of criteria and blueprints for toolkits that our centers and programs can utilize to independently design and execute their own Career Services offerings.
• Continuously enhance the quality of offerings by integrating career exposure and career navigation into seamless, experiential career-building milestones for youth.
• Work with Center and Pathway teams to ensure they are aware of the criteria for career services activities.
• Support Center and Pathway teams in the implementation of career services programs that they would like to lead.

Support in Programs  Assessments & Enhancements (25%)

• In collaboration with the Director of Program Operations, gather and analyze data on Career Services participation, member outcomes, and program effectiveness to inform continuous improvement.
• Support centers by sharing best practices and gathering feedback to continuously improve programs delivered by both this role and center teams.
• Partner with the Program Operations team to track key metrics and contribute insights that support strategic planning and resource allocation.

Operational Requirements (5%)

• Lead promotional strategies and coordinate with center staff to recruit and mobilize members specifically for regional, large-scale exposure and navigation events organized by Career Services.
• ​​Follow organizational policies and procedures (e.g. keeps calendars and other documentation up-to-date, attends mandatory meetings); proactively and promptly communicates problems with policies and procedures to the supervisor.
• Serve as a role model for Members regarding career aspirations, becoming tech-savvy and social enterprise;  live by and uphold our work community’s values and codes of conduct.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years of experience in youth development, workforce readiness programs, career counseling, or education program management.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth and young adults (specifically ages 14–24) from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Experience working in community-based nonprofits or tech-access spaces.
• Demonstrated success in organizing experiential career development events, with the ability to manage both the internal logistics (coordinating with center staff and youth sign-ups) and external logistics (collaborating with guest facilitators and venue hosts).
• The ability to look at a program, notice youths' varying levels of engagement, and proactively suggest changes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of effectively managing and leveraging existing professional networks, combined with the ability to independently build new industry connections to enhance member exposure opportunities.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and planning skills with a high degree of attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Comfort navigating a modern tech ecosystem (e.g., managing a shared digital resource library, utilizing project management tools, and understanding the general tech career paths youth are pursuing).
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Strong cross-functional collaborative skills; ability to interact with and relate well to others, and embody a collaborative spirit.
• Must be flexible; have a positive, can-do attitude; and have a strong desire to work in an industry that focuses on helping others.
• Willingness to engage with and explore use of emerging AI systems.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization’s core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/SES and immigration status. 
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA). 
• Candidates must have a valid CA driver's license and be able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or as needed.

NOTE: The job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion and passing of a background check.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS: We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 3% employer match
• Accrual of up to 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (non-Director and non-Chief positions)
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Accrual of Paid Sick Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Parking Permit
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Professional Development

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment. We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we’re looking for. We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem-solving and more creative thinking, so we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Digital NEST, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Digital NEST is also committed to an inclusive experience for all applicants and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations in the interview process, to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.  

Please refer to our career page for more information on how to apply for reasonable accommodations.