Program Specialist, Education

JOB TITLE: PROGRAM SPECIALIST, EDUCATION

REPORTING TO: PROGRAM MANAGER

DEPARTMENT: UNITED FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

POSITION: FULL-TIME / NON-EXEMPT

The Program Specialist, Education is a dynamic, student-centered professional dedicated to empowering high school students through Orange County United Way’s Youth Career Connections program—a comprehensive college and career readiness initiative spanning junior and senior years. This role provides individualized coaching and strategic guidance to a cohort of 100 students, helping them build and execute personalized career and success plans.

Equal parts mentor, educator, strategist, and program builder, the Program Specialist, Education plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ career journeys. Responsibilities include one-on-one coaching, career and education planning, mock interviews, internship support, and the development of scalable program frameworks.

This is a one-year grant-funded position.

• Student Coaching & Support
  • Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions (in-person or virtual) with each student.
  • Develop, monitor, and refine individualized education and career success plans.
  • Connect students to relevant resources, workshops, and actionable next steps.
  • Guide students through career assessments, academic milestones, and planning timelines.
  • Support students in identifying and applying for internships, training programs, post-secondary education, and employment opportunities.
  • Provide feedback on mock interviews and assist in creating professional materials (e.g., resumes, portfolios, headshots).
  • Equip students with essential interpersonal and workplace readiness skills.
  • Foster a supportive environment that promotes self-sufficiency and career confidence.
  • Serve as a consistent and trusted point of contact throughout the program.
  • Assist with planning and execution of career events, industry site visits, workshops, and presentations.
• Program Development & Strategy
  • Design and document coaching frameworks, operating procedures, and policies.
  • Create student-facing tools and resources (e.g., trackers, checklists, guides).
  • Collaborate with program leadership to evaluate and evolve program strategies based on student outcomes and feedback.
• Training & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Develop and deliver onboarding and training materials for future Career Coaching Advocates.
  • Partner with high school staff, internship providers, and external stakeholders to support student placements and progress.
  • Facilitate group workshops, presentations, and seminars focused on career readiness.
  • Collaborate with high school staff, local businesses, and community partners to identify and secure internship hosts, ensuring successful student placements and ongoing support.
  • Support outreach and recruitment efforts to engage students in U4SS programs and support their ongoing participation and success.
• Program Evaluation
  • Adhere to program participation criteria and reporting protocols.
  • Track and report student progress, outcomes, and overall program impact.
  • Participate in regular check-ins with leadership to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Other Duties
  • Participate in organization-wide activities and initiatives.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in academic advising, student support services, or coaching/counseling roles.
• Proven ability to build rapport with high school students from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong knowledge of college and career planning, internship programs, and educational systems.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Experience developing policies, training materials, or curricula is highly desirable.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages) preferred but not required.
• Must demonstrate excellence in on-site engagement, performance tracking, and student satisfaction.

• Commensurate with experience, education, and market, $26-36/hour. Competitive Benefits.

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