Career Exploration Navigator in Portland, Oregon at Native American Youth And Family Center

NAYA Family Center is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and youth-centered Career Exploration Navigator to join our Youth & Education Services team. This role helps Native youth discover their interests, strengths, and possibilities by connecting classroom learning with real-world careers, education, and future opportunities. As a Career Exploration Navigator, you'll work primarily with students in grades 2–6, with supplemental support for students in grades 7–8. You'll create engaging, hands-on experiences that introduce youth to different career fields and educational pathways through projects, career speakers, workplace visits, site visits, and out-of-school-time activities. You'll help young people begin imagining what's possible for their future while building positive relationships with youth, families, schools, and community partners.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, with most benefits prorated based on FTE, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) with up to 6% match, paid holidays, and sick and vacation accrual that increases with tenure. This is a regular, part-time position working 26 hours per week (65% FTE). General working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with flexibility available upon approval and occasional evenings and weekends as assigned. Please note: This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment beyond June 30, 2027, is contingent upon the availability of grant funds and satisfactory job performance. Pay for this position is $26.50 per hour.

Who You Are

• You have knowledge of Native American history and understand the diversity of local American Indian and Alaska Native communities and the Urban Indian experience.
• You are passionate about helping young people discover their strengths, interests, and possibilities for their future.
• You have experience working with elementary or middle school youth in educational, youth development, career exploration, or out-of-school-time settings.
• You enjoy creating interactive, hands-on learning experiences that get young people excited about learning and exploring what's possible.
• You are comfortable facilitating activities, workshops, projects, and conversations with youth and can adapt your approach to different ages, learning styles, and needs.
• You understand the importance of culturally responsive programming and enjoy creating spaces where Native youth feel seen, valued, and connected.
• You build positive relationships with youth, families, educators, community partners, and colleagues and communicate with empathy, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
• You are organized and able to manage multiple participants, program activities, deadlines, documentation, and competing priorities.
• You are comfortable collecting participant information, completing assessments, tracking outcomes, and maintaining accurate program records.
• A bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, youth development, Native American Studies, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience with STEM, Career and Technical Education (CTE), project-based learning, or career exploration programming is a plus.

What You'll Do

• Plan and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate career and postsecondary exploration activities primarily for students in grades 2–6, with additional support for grades 7–8.
• Help youth connect classroom learning to real-world careers through hands-on projects, career speakers, workplace exposure, site visits, and other experiential learning opportunities.
• Support spring, summer, and other out-of-school-time programming that promotes academic success, career exploration, and youth engagement.
• Build meaningful relationships with youth and families while creating welcoming, culturally responsive learning environments.
• Collaborate with schools, NAYA programs, community partners, and other youth-serving organizations to expand career and educational opportunities.
• Safely transport youth to and from approved program activities and community-based experiences in accordance with NAYA policies and procedures.
• Administer assessments, surveys, reflections, and other tools to measure participant learning and career awareness.
• Maintain accurate participant records, program documentation, data entry, and grant reporting requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, community events, and cross-departmental projects.
• Contribute as an active member of the Youth & Education Services team and support NAYA's mission to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for Urban Native youth and families.

Application Instructions

Providing a cover letter helps us better understand your experience working with youth, your approach to career and educational exploration, and your interest in joining NAYA, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

Questions? Want to learn more about this opportunity before applying? We'd be happy to connect you with our Culture, Education, and Career Pathways Manager, Auna Castellon or Human Resources.