Pathways Career Coach

Help Young Adults Build Their Future

At Friends of the Children, we are committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through long-term, salaried, professional mentoring relationships. Our model pairs youth facing the greatest obstacles with a dedicated professional mentor, called a Friend, from kindergarten through high school graduation and beyond, for 12+ years, no matter what.

As we expand our Pathways for Young Adults strategy, we are seeking a dedicated, relationship-centered, and youth-focused professional to join us as a Pathways Career Coach.

This is a unique opportunity to support young people ages 16-22 as they navigate one of life's most important transitions: moving from high school into adulthood. As a Pathways Career Coach, you will guide youth and program graduates as they explore postsecondary education, career pathways, workforce opportunities, and the life skills necessary to thrive as independent adults.

Working closely with youth, professional mentors, families, employers, educational institutions, and community partners, you will help ensure young people have the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to successfully pursue their goals and unlock their full potential.

Why This Role Matters

The transition from high school to adulthood is a critical period that often determines long-term educational, career, and economic outcomes. Through individualized coaching and sustained relationship-building, the Pathways Career Coach helps young people develop and execute personalized Life Plans that reflect their strengths, interests, values, and aspirations.

This position plays an essential role in helping youth:

• Meaningful work that directly impacts the lives of young people during a critical life transition.
• The opportunity to be part of an innovative national initiative focused on postsecondary success, workforce readiness, and economic mobility.
• A passionate team committed to youth-centered practice and lasting outcomes.
• Professional growth within a nationally recognized youth development organization.
• A culture grounded in belonging, collaboration, empowerment, and continuous learning.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.

Curious to learn more? The job description is below:

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Basic Function / Position Objective:

The Pathways Career Coach supports between 50-75 young people ages 16-22 (youth in the Friends of the Children program and program graduates) in exploring, planning, and achieving their goals for life after high school. This role combines individualized coaching, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness support to ensure that young people develop clear, actionable pathways aligned with their strengths, interests, and values.

The Pathways Career Coach builds sustained relationships with young people and serves as a trusted advisor, guiding them through decision-making related to postsecondary, career training, and workforce opportunities. Success includes supporting youth to advance through key milestones in their individualized Life Plans, youth engagement and program satisfaction, and the achievement of postsecondary opportunities and persistence.

This position reports to the Associate Director of the Pathways for Young Adults Program housed within the Friends of the Children National Center of Excellence for Professional Youth Mentoring and is a member of the National Strategy and Innovation Team. The position will be assigned to partner with the Portland Friends of the Children chapter with rising seniors and program alumni, focusing on the Portland Metro Area market/region as their stakeholders in the work. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Pathways Coaching & Advising

• Provide 1:1 and small-group coaching to students (typically ages 16-22, starting junior/senior year and continuing through age 22)
• While in high school, work with young person and their professional mentor (Friend) to build an individualized and comprehensive, postsecondary and career “Life Plan,” inclusive of that young person’s plan after high school for health and wellbeing, relationships and community, postsecondary and career readiness, and financial independence.
• Support young person in identifying interests, strengths, and long-term goals
• Support youth, in partnership with their Friend, in building practical adult-life skills, including communication, problem solving, decision-making, self-management, financial literacy, housing, transportation, health care, and navigating community systems.
• Help youth access concrete supports and services through resource navigation, referrals, advocacy, and follow-up.
• Monitor progress and adjust plans as needed through to age 22 as youth graduate the Friends of the Children program and move into young adulthood

College & Career Readiness

• Guide high school students through postsecondary and, as needed, financial aid processes (applications, FAFSA, scholarships)
• Facilitate career exploration, including exposure to high-growth industries and non-degree pathways
• Support development of essential skills such as resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication

Career Exposure & Networking

• Facilitate and/or connect young people with career-connected learning opportunities, including job shadows, internships, work-based learning, informational interviews, and employer connections.
• Work with local and regional sector-based partners to maximize opportunities for young people
• Leverage platforms and partnerships to expand students’ professional networks
• Organize workshops, panels, and career exploration events

Data Tracking & Outcomes

• Track individual youth progress, outcomes, and key milestones
• Gather and use youth feedback to adapt supports and improve the program experience
• Use data to inform coaching strategies and program improvements
• Maintain accurate records in program database

Family & Community Engagement

• In partnership with a Friend or Family Engagement Specialist, engage families to support the development of the young person’s “Life Plan” and ongoing planning
• Collaborate with school (both high school and postsecondary) staff, community organizations, and employers to support the young person to advance their goals
• Serve as an advocate for young person’s access to opportunities holistically, inclusive of community involvement, wellbeing, and postsecondary and career

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Youth/Young Adult-centered mindset
• Ability to build trust and maintain long-term relationships
• Collaborative, able to work well with others to advance shared goals
• Positive and strengths-based
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Cultural responsiveness and adaptability
• Problem-solving and resourcefulness

The ideal candidate will have the following Education and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Experience working with underserved or first-generation students
• Strong coaching, advising, or mentoring background
• Knowledge of postsecondary pathways (college, career training, workforce)
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships related to college access and/or career pathways
• Experience in college access, workforce development, or youth development programs

Preferred, Experience, and Abilities

• Familiarity with FAFSA, scholarships, and admissions processes
• Experience developing and delivering college access and/or career training curriculum
• Experience working with adolescents and/or young adults in college and/or career access programming
• Knowledge of career training and advancement trends and labor market data
• Proficiency with CRM/data systems and performance tracking tools
• Multilingual skills

Culture of Belonging:

Friends of the Children endeavors to create a culture where each and every staff knows they belong. From our policies to our procedures and practices, we aim to create an environment that is healthy, safe, accepting, supportive, and kind. Our benefits are one way to depict our value for work harmony, empowerment, health, and happiness.

Benefits:

Our competitive compensation, benefits package, and employee engagement demonstrate our values to families, children, healthy relationships, love, empowerment, goal achievement, and equity. We are continuously seeking feedback and researching best practices to meet the needs of staff and their families. Below are ways we actualize a culture of care for each and every staff member. 

• Health: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only health premium for 2 of the 4 plans
• Dental: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Vision: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Employees may contribute to an FSA account: Healthcare FSA minimum of $100 maximum of $3,400.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Legal, etc.
• 401(k) savings plan with a company match of up to the first 4% of earnings that the employee contributes.
• Cell phone and/or Internet Reimbursement :  Employee is eligible for cell phone and/or internet business expenses up to $75/month ($37.50/pay period), maximum.
• Office reimbursement of $150 per year on anniversary date.
• Time off:
  • Vacation :  Full-time employees of Friends are eligible for up to three weeks of paid vacation annually for the first 4 years. The first year the time is pro-rated and vacation increases to honor length of service.
  • Sick Time: Regular, full-time employees are awarded two weeks/80 hours of sick time on January 1 of each year. New employees are awarded prorated sick time, not less than 48 hours. Sick time can be used to care for your own physical and mental wellbeing or that of a family member.
  • Holidays: Eleven paid holidays. Three of which are Floating holidays to help honor how people choose to celebrate their cultural and religious holidays.
• Career Development and Wellness Reimbursement of up to $1000 after the first year of employment. Up to $200 can be used for Wellness. 
• Summer hours and end of year holiday gift of time off. (Assessed annually by Executive Management.)
• Employee Perks and Discount Programs including savings on hotels, rental cars, travel, entertainment, streaming services, electronics, eCommerce, and so much more.

We aim to create an environment that is healthy, safe, accepting, supportive, and kind. Our benefits are one way to depict our value for work harmony, empowerment, health, and happiness.

Benefits start first of the month on or following employee start date.

Compensation:  Range: $65,000 to $75,000. (Compensation commensurate with experience and geographical location)

Location:  This role is based in Portland, Oregon. This is a full-time, non-exempt, community-based position requiring regular in-person direct service with youth, caregivers, schools, and community partners

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be our Pathways Career Coach at Friends of the Children!

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne.

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