Career Coach - YOU
Salary
$62,480.82 - $92,040.30 Annually
Location
Boston
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-00171
Department
Office of Workforce Development
Opening Date
10/21/2026
Closing Date
12/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Overview
Reporting to the Deputy Director or their designee, the Career Coach provides individualized coaching, mentoring, and career and academic support to youth participating in the Discover YOU program. The Career Coach works directly with participants to establish goals, develop action plans, build career and educational readiness, and connect youth to opportunities that support their academic and professional development.
The Career Coach serves as a consistent point of support for participants and works collaboratively with families, schools, program staff, and community partners to promote participant engagement and progress.
Responsibilities
Youth Coaching & Mentorship:
- Provide individualized coaching and program support to participants, including assessing educational and career development needs, establishing goals, developing individualized action plans, monitoring progress, and coordinating referrals to appropriate resources and services.
- Work with youth to establish goals, develop and track individualized Action Plans, and monitor progress.
- Support participants in developing professional portfolios, including resumes, cover letters, college essays, and application materials.
- Provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and problem-solving support to help youth remain engaged in program and academic activities.
Academic & Career Development:
- Support youth with academic planning, high school selection, college applications, career exploration, and employment preparation.
- Identify participant needs and barriers to educational or employment success and coordinate appropriate referrals to workforce development programs, educational institutions, social services, and community-based resources.
- Coordinate and participate in career fairs, workshops, site visits, and other career exploration activities.
- Accompany youth to relevant events and provide follow-up support as appropriate.
Family & Community Engagement:
- Conduct goal-setting and progress meetings with youth and families.
- Maintain regular communication with families and program partners regarding participant engagement and support needs.
- Collaborate with school-based staff, social workers, and community partners to address barriers and connect youth to appropriate resources.
- Work closely with the YOU Career Specialist and Youth Program Coordinator to support internships, employment opportunities, career events, and other program initiatives.
Participant Tracking & Administration:
- Monitor and document participant engagement, goals, progress, and outcomes.
- Maintain accurate and confidential participant records, including individualized action plans, service referrals, engagement activities, progress updates, and program outcomes, using established data management systems and reporting procedures.
- Assist youth with completing onboarding, enrollment, and other required program paperwork.
- Use participant information to identify areas requiring additional support and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
- Perform related duties as required.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications
- A high school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in youth development, education, workforce development, career services, mentoring, case management, program coordination, human services, or a related field are required.
- An associate degree in Human Services, Social Sciences, Education, Public Administration, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. A bachelors degree in a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
- Experience providing individualized coaching, guidance, mentoring, or direct program services to youth, young adults, or other populations is preferred.
- Ability to identify participant needs, develop and monitor individualized goals and action plans, and coordinate referrals to appropriate programs, services, and community resources.
- Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to engage individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with program participants, families, educational institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications, with the ability to maintain electronic records, track participant progress, and prepare program documentation.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate and confidential records, meet established deadlines, and work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professional boundaries, and handle sensitive participant information with discretion.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and occasional weekends, as required by program activities.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-5
Hours per week: 35
The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.
At the City of Boston, we provide our employees with a wide array of benefits and resources that foster both their professional and personal development. Our goal is to make City government a place where everyone is empowered to make a positive impact for the communities in which we live, work, and play.
For full-time positions, employees may be eligible for the following benefits depending on the nature of their employment and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the position. View the Collective Bargaining Agreements page to learn more.
Benefits Available to City Workers
Retirement & Savings Opportunities: Membership in the Boston Retirement System (BRS), a benefit pension plan providing lifetime income to vested employees when they retire, along with deferred compensation options to help you build a secure future. Visit boston.gov/retirement to learn more.
Health Insurance & Benefits: The City offers competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus flexible spending (FSA), dependent care accounts, and life insurance for our employees. Visit boston.gov/insurance to learn more.
Other Benefits: City employees enjoy a benefits package featuring paid time off and leave, subsidized transit (MBTA and Bluebikes), educational assistance, and employee wellness programs. Visit boston.gov/life-city-boston to learn more.
Salary information: To view salary plans and understand how salaries work at the City of Boston, go to boston.gov/salary.
Part-time employees who are scheduled to work for 20 hours or more per week may also be eligible for benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to learn more about any benefits available for this position.
If you have any questions about the benefits offered for this position, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 617-635-3370 or ohr@boston.gov.
Employer City of Boston (MA)
Address 1 City Hall Plaza, Room 612
Boston, Massachusetts, 02201
Phone 617-635-3370
Website https://www.boston.gov