Career Services Specialist

Full Time: 100% FTE, 40 hours per week

Compensation Range: $22.21 - 24.00 per hour, non-exempt

Benefits Overview: Medical, vision, dental and life insurance, vacation and sick time off, paid federal holidays, and retirement plan (See full job description for more details).

Organization Size: 50+ employees

Reports to: Director of Program Operations

Location(s): Modesto or Stockton, CA. Will be required to travel for work between Modesto and Stockton as needed. May be eligible for a hybrid work schedule after a successful completion of the first 90 days of employment.

Organization OVERVIEW:

Digital NEST is an innovative workforce development center that has welcomed thousands of youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. It is an exciting time for the NEST. We are focused on growth and expansion to five communities across the Monterey Bay (MBR) and San Joaquin Valley (SJVR) Regions in Northern California. Digital NEST has Centers in the heart of Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Career Services Specialist is a vital part of our programs team, directly supporting Digital NESTs Career Services. This role is responsible for guiding members throughout their time in our programs. Offering 1:1 career coaching, helping the members map their professional trajectories, and facilitating successful transitions into industry opportunities; while also offering support with internal program systems and facilitation. 

The Specialist will spearhead Career Coaching at our Modesto and Stockton centers, serving as the regional bridge for impact reporting. In this role, the Specialist will collaborate cross-departmentally by capturing the member data, projects, and milestones that our Pathways, Development, and MarComm teams need to showcase our work. This position balances direct youth mentorship with organized data collection, ensuring San Joaquin Valley success is tracked accurately and celebrated organization-wide.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Career Coaching & Member Success (45%)

• Deliver personalized career coaching to members across both SJV centers (Modesto & Stockton), focusing on youth planning next career steps.
• Assist members with career navigational essentials such as, but not limited to, resumes, portfolios, and mock interviews.
• Lead, facilitate, or support Career Services workshops that equip members with essential professional and career navigational skills.
• Partner with the program team to ensure members receive holistic, well-rounded Career Services support.
• Proactively research and identify targeted scholarships, internships, and career opportunities tailored to member goals assisting the Monterey Bay Region’s (MBR) Career Services Coordinator in sharing and noting the opportunities.

Program Impact Collection & Member Engagement (35%)

• Log quantitative and qualitative insights gathered from coaching sessions and 1:1 member interactions into internal systems.
• Systematically track, organize, and manage member projects and technical milestones across the SJV region.
• Identify high-impact member achievements, projects, or breakthrough moments and bring them forward for organizational visibility.
• Utilize collected member data and project assets to co-create compelling regional impact narratives in collaboration with the MBR Career Services Coordinator.
• Partner with SJV Staff to develop and coordinate targeted recruitment and outreach activities specifically related to expanding Career Services and program engagement.

Regional Programmatic Support (15%)

• Assist in the execution of Program Visibility Projects.
• Assist with and take part in the development of center or pathway events that are made to engage and recruit members.
• Gather feedback and assist with the coordination of Career Services activities between Modesto and Stockton, serving as the regional lead for collecting and sharing impact data to the broader team.
• Be a thought partner for pathway team and center team members for curriculum, events, and member engagement.
• Assist or cover for instructors in classroom instruction when needed.
• Be a thought partner for pathway team and center team members for curriculum, events, and member engagement.

Operational Requirements (5%)

• Follow organizational policies and procedures (e.g. keeps calendars and other documentation up-to-date, attends mandatory meetings); proactively and promptly communicates problems with policies and procedures to the supervisor.
• Serve as a role model for Members regarding career aspirations and becoming tech-savvy.
• Participate in Digital NEST evening and weekend programs and events on an occasional basis; facilitate youth involvement in these programs and events. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years of experience working directly with young adults (ages 14–24), preferably in workforce development, education, youth advocacy, or community-based organizations.
• Proven ability to provide 1-on-1 guidance, resume editing, interview prep, and career trajectory mapping.
• Comfortable using (or quickly learning) database and project management tools such as, but not limited to, Airtable and Asana to log data and track workflows accurately.
• Strong understanding of the unique community dynamics, opportunities, and challenges within the San Joaquin Valley (specifically Modesto and Stockton).
• Excellent interpersonal and writing skills, with the ability to draw out stories from members and collaborate professionally with internal departments.
• Independent self-starter with strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Must be flexible; have a positive, can-do attitude; and have a strong desire to work in an industry that focuses on helping others.
• Experience with content creation.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace collaboration tools.
• Basic proficiency with Airtable, Asana, and Canva.
• Willingness to engage with and explore use of emerging AI systems.

REQUIREMENTS

• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding the organization’s core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/SES and immigration status. 
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA). 
• Candidates must have a valid CA driver's license and be able to travel and work evenings or weekends occasionally, or as needed.

NOTE: The job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion and passing of a background check.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS: We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 3% employer match
• Accrual of up to 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (non-Director and non-Chief positions)
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Accrual of Paid Sick Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Parking Permit
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Professional Development

We understand that no candidate is perfectly qualified for any job. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. Even more important than your resume is a clear demonstration of dedication, impact, and the ability to thrive in a fluid and collaborative environment. We want you to learn new things in this role and encourage you to apply if your experience is close to what we’re looking for. We also know that diversity of background and thought makes for better problem-solving and more creative thinking, so we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Digital NEST, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Digital NEST is also committed to an inclusive experience for all applicants and will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations in the interview process, to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.  

Please refer to our career page for more information on how to apply for reasonable accommodations.