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Board of Directors Member

Career Path Services, Olympia, WA, United States


Do you find purpose in helping break the spirit of poverty? Do you have a desire to share your knowledge and experience to help an award-winning non profit become even better? We are actively recruiting for new Board Members!

PURPOSE OF POSITION For more than 50 years, Career Path Services has worked to break the spirit of poverty through the dignity of work. We believe economic mobility is built through opportunity, preparation, and partnership. Each year, we serve thousands of individuals across Washington State, connecting people to meaningful employment and helping employers build stronger, more inclusive talent pipelines.

We are seeking new board members who have demonstrated leadership within their profession, community, or lived experience and are prepared to contribute at a governance level. Leadership may include executive roles, community leadership, grassroots advocacy, entrepreneurial experience, or other forms of demonstrated influence and impact. Board service at Career Path Services is an opportunity to steward mission, strengthen long‑term sustainability, and shape the future of economic opportunity in our communities.

CALL FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS This volunteer position provides governance and leadership for Career Path Services on behalf of the agency's customer groups, fund sources, and employees. The expertise of our Board Members directs Career Path Services' activities to fulfill our mission, vision, and purpose. Board Members:

Engage actively in oversight, governance, accountability and committee participation

Make a personally meaningful annual contribution, based on personal or employer capacity

Strategically steward relationships that advance mission‑aligned partnerships and diversified revenue

Contribute to a governance culture where diverse perspectives are respected, engaged, and reflected in board decisions.

We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in philanthropy, healthcare, technology, marketing or strategic communications, as well as those whose lived experience connects directly to the workforce and economic mobility systems we seek to strengthen. We welcome individuals from diverse racial, cultural, economic, professional, and lived backgrounds and believe that strong governance requires multiple lenses at the table.

Board service requires preparation, participation, and shared accountability in advancing our mission. If you are motivated by economic mobility and believe in breaking the spirit of poverty through the dignity of work, we invite you to explore board service with Career Path Services.

GENERAL SUMMARY The Board of Directors serves as the governing body of Career Path Services. Board members provide fiduciary oversight, guide long‑term strategy, support and evaluate the CEO, and safeguard the financial and ethical health of the organization. Board members do not manage day‑to‑day operations. Instead, they operate at a strategic level—asking disciplined questions, evaluating risk, protecting mission clarity, and ensuring the organization remains strong and sustainable. Our work is grounded in a clear purpose: breaking the spirit of poverty through the dignity of work. Board service is an opportunity to steward that mission and help shape the future of economic mobility across Washington State.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Board members are expected to:

Prepare for and attend quarterly board meetings

Participate actively on at least one committee

Engage in strategic planning and performance oversight

Uphold fiduciary, ethical, and conflict‑of‑interest standards

This is an engaged, working board. Service requires preparation, participation, and shared accountability.

REVENUE & RELATIONSHIP STEWARDSHIP To ensure Career Path Services remains stable, responsive, and community‑rooted in changing funding environments, board members support efforts to strengthen philanthropic, corporate, and employer partnerships.

Board members are expected to:

Introduce CPS leadership to potential philanthropic supporters, corporate partners, employers, or community collaborators

Participate in at least one direct cultivation, sponsorship, or partnership conversation annually

Host or attend mission‑aligned engagement opportunities when appropriate

Remain engaged in advancing relationships they help initiate

Board members are not expected to manage fundraising operations. However, they are expected to partner with leadership in building meaningful, mission‑aligned support that protects the long‑term sustainability of the organization.

TIME COMMITMENT Board members serve three‑year terms and participate in:

Quarterly full board meetings

Active service on at least one committee

An annual strategic or planning session

Ongoing engagement between meetings as needed

Board members should anticipate approximately 6–10 hours per quarter for meetings and preparation, in addition to committee participation and periodic engagement activities.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT Board members are expected to make a personally meaningful annual contribution, based on capacity. Broad participation in board giving reflects shared commitment to the mission.

CURRENT RECRUITMENT PRIORITIES In this recruitment cycle, we are particularly seeking individuals with experience in:

Philanthropy and fund development

Healthcare systems and community health

Technology and future‑of‑work innovation

Marketing, communications, and strategic storytelling

We welcome candidates who bring professional expertise, community credibility, and lived experience connected to the populations we serve. We believe strong governance requires multiple lenses at the table.

APPLICATION PROCESS The selection process includes:

Submission of written application

Review by the Governance/Nominating Committee

Interview with board leadership

Direct conversation with the CEO

Final approval by the full Board of Directors

BENEFITS Serving on the Career Path Services Board of Directors offers numerous benefits, including:

Professional development opportunities to enhance leadership and strategic planning skills

Networking with a diverse group of passionate professionals from various industries

Making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and communities facing economic challenges

Contributing to the growth and success of a mission‑driven organization

While this is a volunteer position, travel expenses for in‑person meetings (in Spokane, WA) will be reimbursed.

We are particularly interested in candidates who live or work in the following Washington State geographies.

ABOUT CAREER PATH SERVICES Career Path Services is a workforce development and employment training 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Spokane, WA. As an organization, we pride ourselves in being a part of our community and truly enriching the community we work in. We value our diverse team‑based environments while recognizing the creativity and initiative of individuals. Career Path Services is committed to honoring our employees' service to our mission and values by providing continuous training and development opportunities. We have been honored to be named a top 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For by the Nonprofit Times seven years in a row, and are more than proud of our employees who make this happen. Our amazing employees make us a great place to work because of their high character and competence.

Career Path Services receives support and funding from federal grants. Read more about federal grant funding at www.careerpathservices.org/federalfunding.

OUR VALUES Our Purpose:

Breaking the spirit of poverty through the dignity of work.

Our Mission:

Career Path Services is an equity‑centered, workforce development and human services nonprofit corporation. We disrupt the drivers of poverty through equitable access to economic opportunity and financial stability.

Our Vision:

Empowering All People, Enhancing an Equitable Workforce, Enriching Diverse Communities.

We appreciate your interest in advancing economic mobility and strengthening opportunity across Washington State.

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