Pre-Employment Career Navigator

Career Path Services • Kennewick, WA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pre-Employment Career Navigator helps young people with disabilities discover what’s possible and build the skills to take their next step with confidence. Through engaging, hands-on workshops in schools and community settings, this role brings career exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, and post secondary planning to life. You’ll create an inclusive learning environment where students can explore their strengths, practice real-world skills, and begin shaping a future that works for them. Along the way, you’ll partner with schools, DVR counselors, families, and community organizations to help students connect with opportunities and resources that support their goals. You’ll thrive in this role if you genuinely enjoy connecting with youth, can bring energy to a room, and know how to make information engaging and approachable. We’re looking for someone who is creative, organized, adaptable, and comfortable working with people who learn and communicate in different ways. You don’t need to come in knowing everything about Pre-ETS or disability services, but you should be curious, eager to learn, and excited about helping young people build confidence and prepare for what comes next. This position will be full time and will be in-person in Kennewick, WA at 10+ school sites in the Tri Cities area and at our home office in TC Futures. Career Path Services values the power of experience and perspective, and endeavors to build upon this vital strength. We are passionate about building and sustaining a working environment of belonging for all of our staff and customers. We believe every member on our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, retaining and advancing an engaged team that is responsive to the needs of our diverse clients.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with youth, transition-age young adults, and/or individuals with disabilities. Experience may be gained through employment, internships, volunteer work, education, or other relevant settings.
• Ability and comfort facilitating groups, presenting information, or leading activities with youth or young adults.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate information in an accessible and respectful manner.
• Ability to build positive, professional relationships with students, families, educators, community partners, and colleagues.
• Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain timely and accurate documentation.
• Ability to learn and apply program requirements, procedures, curriculum, and documentation standards.
• Ability to adapt instructional approaches and communication styles to meet varying student needs and learning styles.
• Basic proficiency with common workplace technology, such as Microsoft Office/365, email, virtual meeting platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems.
• Commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, abilities, identities, and experiences.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) or similar credential.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree, coursework, or training in social work, education, psychology, human services, vocational rehabilitation, special education, workforce development, or a related field.
• Experience facilitating classroom instruction, workshops, group activities, or other structured learning experiences.
• Experience with lesson plans curriculum and other instructional materials in a instructional and/or developmental capacity.
• Knowledge of or exposure to IEPs, 504 Plans, transition services, vocational rehabilitation, or Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices, Universal Design for Learning, neuroinclusive practices, or other accessible instructional approaches.
• Experience working collaboratively with schools, community organizations, social service agencies, or workforce development programs.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.
• Lived experience or professional experience working with populations impacted by poverty, trauma, or systemic barriers to employment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver group‑based Pre‑ETS workshops in schools and community settings, including Job Exploration Counseling, Workplace Readiness Training, Postsecondary Counseling, Work‑Based Learning preparation, and Self‑Advocacy instruction.
• Create and adapt lesson plans, instructional materials, and digital content aligned with student needs, IEP/504 supports, and DVR expectations.
• Facilitate engaging, interactive learning experiences that support skill development, confidence, and career readiness.
• Incorporate universal design for learning, trauma‑informed practices, and neuroinclusive strategies to ensure accessibility for diverse learners.
• Evaluate instructional effectiveness and adjust content based on student feedback and performance observations.
• Provide guidance to students navigating postsecondary options, workplace expectations, and self‑advocacy strategies.
• Support students in accessing additional Pre‑ETS services, including work‑based learning opportunities coordinated by partner staff.
• Develop new workshops, activities, and instructional modules that align with DVR Pre‑ETS requirements and school partner needs.
• Maintain and update curriculum using continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes.
• Track utilization of lesson plans and digital content; recommend changes to strengthen engagement and learning outcomes.
• Coordinate scheduling, logistics, and communication with DVR Counselors, school districts, Open Doors programs, and partner agencies to ensure timely delivery of group services.
• Participate in school meetings, transition events, and collaborative planning sessions as needed.
• Build strong relationships with educators, administrators, and referral sources to support student participation and program visibility.
• Engage students in Pre‑ETS group activities; maintain positive relationships with youth and families.
• Conduct timely, accurate, and complete documentation of attendance, services delivered, and progress notes in accordance with DVR requirements.
• Maintain organized electronic and hard‑copy records.
• Ensure fidelity to Pre‑ETS service definitions, allowable activities, and reporting timelines.
• Participate in workshops, committees, and conferences that promote student welfare and strengthen regional transition partnerships.
• Represent the organization in schools and community settings with professionalism, cultural humility, and commitment to accessibility and belonging.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to youth workforce development, instructional design, and disability inclusion.

Benefits

• Leading health care package, including medical with both F.S.A. and H.S.A. options, dental, and vision
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary/supplemental group term life insurance, group AD&D insurance, hospital indemnity coverage, accident coverage, critical illness coverage, legal coverage, and identity theft coverage
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a leading employer discretionary contribution
• Paid Vacation (accrue 12 hours/month), Sick (accrue 8 hours/month), Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays, including a Floating Holiday and a Birthday Holiday
• Internet & Cell Phone Reimbursement Allowance and Personal Development Reimbursement Allowances
• Tuition Reimbursement program and a qualified employer for the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED