Hire Gulf Coast Youth (HGCY)- Work-Based Learning (WBL) Liaison

Houston-Galveston Area Council•Houston, TX

76d•Onsite

About The Position

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is seeking a Senior Planner – Work-Based Learning (WBL) Liaison to lead the development and expansion of work-based learning opportunities that connect youth to meaningful careers in high-demand industries. This position acts as the primary liaison between Hire Gulf Coast Youth (HGCY), employers, workforce partners, education partners, and contracted service providers. The role involves building and sustaining a regional pipeline of internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, work experiences, and employment opportunities. Responsibilities include developing employer partnerships, coordinating strategic initiatives, supporting provider performance, and advancing HGCY's work-based learning strategy to improve youth employment outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.
Minimum of 5 years working with local government, nonprofit programs, or in similar job-related duties.
Strong relationship-building and business development skills.
Ability to engage employers and build strategic partnerships.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing multiple projects.
Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to analyze performance data and develop strategies that improve outcomes.
Passion for connecting youth with meaningful career opportunities.
Must reside within the agency’s region of service.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Experience with employer engagement
Experience with work-based learning
Experience with apprenticeship programs
Experience with economic development
Experience with CRM systems
Experience with labor market information
Experience with project management

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with employers, industry associations, chambers, and community partners.
Recruit new employers to provide internships, work experiences, and employment opportunities.
Expand work-based learning opportunities aligned with regional high-growth, high-demand industries.
Collaborate with Employer Engagement staff to support business outreach and partnership development.
Lead implementation of HGCY's regional Work-Based Learning strategy.
Coordinate employer engagement initiatives, hiring events, and workforce partnerships.
Support development of career exploration, job shadowing, internships, apprenticeships, and career pathway opportunities.
Identify gaps in employer participation and develop strategies to increase engagement.
Provide technical assistance to contracted service providers on work-based learning development.
Monitor regional work-based learning activity and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support achievement of placement and employment goals through collaboration and coaching.
Share best practices, resources, and employer leads across providers.
Track employer engagement, work-based learning placements, and employment outcomes.
Develop reports and dashboards to monitor regional performance.
Analyze trends and recommend strategies to improve employer participation and youth outcomes.
Support reporting requirements and performance improvement initiatives.
Lead special projects that expand work-based learning capacity and employer partnerships.
Coordinate initiatives supporting targeted industries, career exploration, and regional workforce priorities.
Represent HGCY at community meetings, employer events, and workforce initiatives.
Research emerging workforce trends and recommend innovative partnership strategies.