Career Exploration Navigator

Native American Youth And Family Center•Portland, OR

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Knowledge of Native American history and understanding of the diversity of local American Indian and Alaska Native communities and the Urban Indian experience.
Passion for helping young people discover their strengths, interests, and possibilities for their future.
Experience working with elementary or middle school youth in educational, youth development, career exploration, or out-of-school-time settings.
Enjoyment in creating interactive, hands-on learning experiences that get young people excited about learning and exploring what's possible.
Comfort in facilitating activities, workshops, projects, and conversations with youth and ability to adapt approach to different ages, learning styles, and needs.
Understanding of the importance of culturally responsive programming and enjoyment in creating spaces where Native youth feel seen, valued, and connected.
Ability to build positive relationships with youth, families, educators, community partners, and colleagues and communicate with empathy, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
Organization and ability to manage multiple participants, program activities, deadlines, documentation, and competing priorities.
Comfort in collecting participant information, completing assessments, tracking outcomes, and maintaining accurate program records.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, youth development, Native American Studies, or a related field.
Equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
Experience with STEM, Career and Technical Education (CTE), project-based learning, or career exploration programming.

Responsibilities

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.