Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, & Sustainability
Executive Director
Location: Yampa Valley, Colorado
Application Deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026
About YVPS3
The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3) is a nonprofit serving education and community partners across four school districts in Northwest Colorado. YVPS3 was formed in Fall 2021 and received its 501(c)(3) status in 2023. It was created to strengthen collaboration across the region and connect students with meaningful educational and career opportunities.
YVPS3’s mission is to unite educators, industry leaders, and students throughout the Yampa Valley to expand meaningful career-connected learning opportunities that empower students and contribute to a more resilient region. Through strong regional partnerships, YVPS3 connects K-12 schools, higher education, employers, and community organizations to increase access to work-based learning, internships, career exploration, and other experiences that help students discover and pursue career opportunities.
Program & Position Summary:
This is a full-time, grant-funded Executive Director position for the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3). At this time, the position is fully grant funded through June 2027; a primary goal of the Executive Director will be to fundraise for the sustainability of their role and the long-term sustainability of the organization.
The Executive Director will lead the development, coordination, and implementation of regional career-connected learning initiatives across four school districts in Northwest Colorado (Hayden School District, Moffat County School District RE-1, South Routt County School District RE-3, and Steamboat Springs School District RE-2), two institutions of higher education (Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Northwestern Community College), and numerous regional employers and community partners.
The Executive Director will lead the design, development, and implementation of innovative career-connected learning opportunities that strengthen connections between education and industry. This includes expanding work-based learning experiences, internships, career exploration opportunities, educator engagement, and employer partnerships that prepare students for success while supporting regional workforce needs.
The Executive Director reports directly to the YVPS3 Board of Directors. Ideal candidates will bring experience in education, workforce development, Career and Technical Education (CTE), nonprofit leadership, community engagement, project management, or related fields, along with a passion for building partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for students
Candidates considered for this role must be located or have the ability to relocate to the Yampa Valley in Northwest Colorado.
Essential Functions
This is a full-time, year-round position responsible for leading the vision, strategy, and implementation of YVPS3's regional career-connected learning initiatives. The Executive Director serves as the connector between education and industry, working with school districts, higher education institutions, employers, workforce organizations, and community partners to expand meaningful opportunities that prepare students for future careers while supporting regional workforce needs.
YVPS3 plays a vital role in convening partners, fostering regional collaboration, and developing innovative programs that connect students to careers through work-based learning, internships, career exploration, educator engagement, and employer partnerships.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead implementation of YVPS3's strategic vision and organizational priorities.
- Design, develop, and implement innovative career-connected learning initiatives that align with regional workforce needs.
- Expand and strengthen regional work-based learning opportunities, including internships, job shadows, career exploration experiences, employer engagement activities, and other career-connected learning experiences.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts, higher education institutions, employers, workforce organizations, nonprofit partners, and community leaders.
- Identify emerging workforce needs and collaborate with partners to develop innovative regional solutions.
- Lead fundraising efforts, pursue grant opportunities, and develop strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
- Manage organizational operations, including budgeting, grant administration, financial reporting, and compliance.
- Report to and support the YVPS3 Board of Directors through meeting preparation, facilitation, strategic planning, and organizational updates.
- Represent YVPS3 at regional meetings, conferences, and community events.
- Continuously identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, improve programming, and increase student access to meaningful career-connected learning experiences.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree, or at least five years equivalent tested experience.
- Proven ability to design, develop, and implement new programs, systems, or initiatives while independently driving projects forward.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, budgeting, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and implementation.
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset who is comfortable taking ownership, navigating ambiguity, and turning ideas into action.
- Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with diverse education, workforce, nonprofit, business, and community partners.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Commitment to creating equitable access to career-connected learning opportunities for all students.
- Ability to travel throughout the Yampa Valley and maintain reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications:
Highly qualified candidates will demonstrate experience in the following:
- Established relationships with employers, industry leaders, workforce organizations, and community partners throughout Northwest Colorado.
- Experience leading career-connected learning, workforce development, Career and Technical Education (CTE), education partnerships, or nonprofit initiatives.
- Successful fundraising and grant management experience, including management of large public or private grants.
- Experience building or scaling collaborative organizations, regional partnerships, or cross-sector initiatives.
- Familiarity with rural education systems, workforce development, and regional economic development.
Compensation:
Starting salary for this role is $70,000 - $80,000 annually depending on candidate experience, with a competitive allowance or stipend included.
Application Process:
Please submit a complete application packet, including:
- Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position.
- Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.
- Current resume.
- Names and contact information for two current, professional references.
To Apply:
Please submit all materials via email to [email protected], with “YVPS3 Executive Director” in the subject line.
Priority will be given to applications submitted by midnight MST on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Position will remain open until filled.
Equal Opportunity
The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, & Sustainability (YVPS3) does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. YVPS3 is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
YVPS3 shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. YVPS3 is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment; applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
