Leave to Learn Program Manager

Every student is capable of achieving academic success, yet the public education system was not designed to meet students of color where they dream — instead they marginalize them and underestimate their abilities. TAF partners with school districts, educators, and organizations to challenge the current public education system. We address the entire public education system, from top-to-bottom, providing STEM skills and equitable, anti-racist education environments where all students can succeed and by working with emerging and established education leaders of color to improve representation at every level. We: 

• Co-manage two public STEM schools where we provide industry-relevant and equitable curriculum and experiences
• Partner with existing public schools and coach students and staff using our successful STEMbyTAF learning model
• Empower early-career educators and established school leaders of color through educational equity and liberation pedagogy

The Leave 2 Learn (L2L) Program Manager plays a critical role in reimagining View email address on us.fitly.work high school through Career Connected Learning (CCL). This position leads the innovative L2L program where all high school students (grades 9-12) spend Fridays in real-world internships and career exploration aligned to their passions and Federal Way's Portrait of a Graduate competencies. The Program Manager is responsible for motivating and supporting students on their career exploration and internship journey. The L2L Manager is also responsible for sourcing community and industry partnerships, coordinating student placements, developing program tracking systems, coaching students throughout the program from exploration to exhibitions of learning, fostering family engagement, and supporting student recruitment and retention for grades 9-12 

The ideal candidate brings educational experience (teaching background strongly preferred) combined with exceptional project management skills, systems thinking, youth development expertise, relationship-building skills, and organizational excellence. This role requires someone who can manage complex workflows involving students, school staff, and industry partners while maintaining program fidelity, equity, and student agency. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Internship Coordination & Student Support 

Match students to internship and job shadow sites based on their interests, goals, and readiness. Coordinate logistics including travel plans, permission forms, site visits, and mentor communications. Onboard internship hosts using qualification forms. Collect mentor assessment forms and student reflections to inform program improvements.

Student Preparation

Deliver workshops on professional skills (communication, interviewing, networking, resume/cover letter writing). Design Rush Week orientation activities. Support advisors with Learning Plan development and coach students through exhibitions. Cultivate a culture of curiosity and proactive learning

Community & Industry Partnership Development 

Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and industry professionals to secure diverse internship and job shadow opportunities that reflect student demographics and interests. Source companies and organizations willing to host students for experiential learning outside the classroom. Collaborate with the Development Officer of Corporate Relations to secure long-term substantial partnerships with community and industry partners. Recruit industry partners to participate in on-campus career panels and workshops. Ensure equitable access to high-quality placements for all students regardless of background. 

Systems Development & Student Progress Tracking 

Collaborate with teachers, the Director of View email address on us.fitly.work, and the principal to source and establish an effective tracking system that monitors student progress through the L2L experience checklist (Learning Plans, career assessments, informational interviews, job shadows, internship placements, exhibitions). Develop and maintain systems for documenting student experiences at job shadows and internships. Create protocols for tracking student locations when leaving campus to ensure safety and accountability. Manage the ImBlaze platform and other data systems to ensure accurate documentation. Lead quarterly program reviews to assess progress toward goals and implement continuous improvement strategies. 

Exhibition Planning & Assessment 

Organize and facilitate multiple exhibitions of learning throughout the year, including student-led conferences, Portrait of a Graduate Family Night, and the culminating Final Exhibition in June. Train panelists (teachers, mentors, family members, community partners) to evaluate student presentations using the Exhibition Feedback Guide. Support students in developing and presenting their career-connected learning projects that demonstrate growth in Portrait of a Graduate competencies (Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Adaptability, Empathy, Communication, Problem Solving). Use assessment data to demonstrate student growth and inform program improvements. 

Family Engagement & Community Building 

Develop meaningful relationships with families in the View email address on us.fitly.work community and foster opportunities for them to engage on campus. Communicate regularly with families about L2L expectations, student progress, and opportunities for involvement. Create culturally responsive engagement strategies that honor diverse family structures and communication preferences. 

Student Recruitment & Retention Support 

Partner with school counselors and connect within the community to increase recruitment and maintenance of student populations in grades 9-12. Collaborate with the post-secondary project manager to support middle school (grades 6-8) career exploration activities that build excitement for the L2L program. Collaborate with school leadership to identify and address barriers to student retention. Promote the L2L program to prospective families and community stakeholders. 

Collaboration & Program Leadership 

Work closely with View email address on us.fitly.work advisors (Wolfpack teachers), school counselors, TAF staff, and the Director of View email address on us.fitly.work to ensure program alignment with school goals and student needs. Collaborate with the College and Career Readiness Program Manager to create seamless pathways from career exploration to postsecondary planning. Present program updates to school leadership, district partners, and community stakeholders. Lead continuous improvement efforts based on program data and stakeholder feedback. 

Qualifications

Educational background: Teaching credential, classroom teaching experience, or equivalent direct experience working in 6-12 education settings (teaching background strongly preferred) 

Youth development expertise: Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with adolescents (grades 8-12), understand developmental needs of high school students, and create engaging learning experiences that center student voice and agency. Ability to represent underserved children of color for higher education and professional success Familiarity working in diverse and multi-cultural and bilingual environments 

Partnership development: Track record of building and maintaining relationships with external organizations, businesses, and community partners; ability to negotiate and secure commitments from industry partners 

Project management and Systems Thinking: Proven ability to design and manage complex tracking systems, take full ownership of programs, and execute multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments with exceptional attention to detail 

Equity commitment: Deep understanding of educational equity, racial justice, and culturally responsive practices; experience working with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse students and families 

Communication and Relationship building: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present to diverse audiences (students, families, educators, industry professionals). Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across different contexts

Flexibility and adaptability : Comfort with ambiguity and change; growth mindset toward program development and continuous improvement 

Special Requirements:

• Pass all required criminal and child abuse background checks 
• Reliable transportation for site visits, community partner meetings, and off-campus student support 

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• 3+ years of program management, educational program coordination, or career-connected learning experience 
• Knowledge of career-connected learning best practices, work-based learning standards, and youth apprenticeship models 
• Experience developing and implementing student tracking systems and data management protocols 
• Familiarity with Federal Way Public Schools, TAF programs, and local community organizations 
• Experience with family engagement strategies and culturally responsive communication 
• Bilingual skills reflecting the View email address on us.fitly.work community 
• Experience with student recruitment and retention initiatives 

TAF is a proud equal opportunity employer that complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and follows guidelines to select the best qualified person for each position within the organization. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or other physical or mental disability. 

To Apply :

• Upload resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should express why you're interested in this role and address the following questions: 
• What does it mean for you to have a commitment to racial equity and/or liberatory practices in education? 
• How have you demonstrated that commitment, and how would you see yourself demonstrating it at TAF? 
• Describe your experience working with youth in educational or career development settings. What approaches have you found most effective in building student agency and engagement? 
• What systems or organizational strategies have you used to manage complex programs involving multiple stakeholders? Provide a specific example of a tracking system you've developed or implemented.