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

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking a Senior Planner – Work-Based Learning Liaison to lead the development and expansion of work-based learning opportunities for youth across high-growth industries. You will connect Hire Gulf Coast Youth with employers, education partners, and service providers to build internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, and work experiences region-wide.

The role requires strong relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years working with local government, nonprofit programs, or in similar duties.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain employer relationships and expand internships and work experiences.
• Lead implementation of regional Work-Based Learning strategy and partnerships.
• Provide support and coaching to contracted service providers for WBL development.
• Track and report on employer engagement, placements, and employment outcomes.
• Lead strategic projects to expand WBL capacity and regional workforce priorities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Employer engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Youth opportunity passion

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than7million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing?

The Senior Planner – Work-Based Learning (WBL) Liaison leads the development and expansion of work-based learning opportunities that connect youth to meaningful careers in high-demand industries. This position serves as the primary liaison between Hire Gulf Coast Youth, employers, workforce partners, education partners, and contracted service providers to build and sustain a regional pipeline of internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, work experiences, and employment opportunities.

Working collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders, this role develops employer partnerships, coordinates strategic initiatives, supports provider performance, and advances HGCY's work-based learning strategy to improve employment outcomes for youth.

Essential Responsibilities

Employer & Partnership Development

• 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.

Work-Based Learning Strategy

• 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.

Provider Support & Performance

• 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.

Data & Performance

• 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.

Strategic Projects

• 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.

Key Qualifications

What You'll Bring

• 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.

Do you have…

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Salary Range: $75,000 - $92,000

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.