College and Career Advisor

Position Overview
Under the supervision of the Associate Director of College and Career Pathways, the College & Career Advisor is responsible for assessing participant needs for services and providing appropriate case management to help youth reach their academic, post-secondary education, and employment goals. The College & Career Advisor will work with in-school youth under the Para Los Niños Youth Source program, which serves youth ages 16-24 with a focus on supporting youth as they transition from high school (with a high school diploma earned) to post-secondary education (career technical training, community college or university).

College & Career Advisor will also support students with college and career readiness and connect/expose them to paid internship and career options. An emphasis will be placed on guiding youth through an assessment and self- inventory process that helps them identify their interests, preferences, motivations, and options.
Duties

Carries out mission, vision and values established by President/CEO and Board of Directors.
Conducts program outreach, recruitment, orientations, and client intake/eligibility.
Performs comprehensive assessment of youth to determine academic, vocational, professional and/or supportive service needs.
Develops Individual Service Strategy plan for youth (ISS) and implements service elements.
Provides appropriate linkages to network partners, including onsite programs for education, employment, social/physical/emotional health, and housing services.
Establishes a college going community with focus on improving student outcomes (HS diploma attainment, /post-secondary/college enrollment, post-secondary/college degree attainment).
Facilitates engaging and interactive sessions to 35+ in-school students for the purpose of completing the college and career readiness curriculum to prepare students for post-secondary education and career opportunities.
Supports 35+ college students with retention efforts and academic success including facilitation of curriculum.
Participates in development and implementation plan of college/career preparatory program.
Facilitates meetings with parents, and (when necessary) with school counselors, probation, law enforcement, employers, and other entities for the purpose of ensuring that outcomes and objectives for youth are achieved.
Develop and maintain relationships and foster partnerships with local high school counselors, post-secondary institutions, relevant service providers, college admissions recruiters from two- and four-year colleges, trade schools, and alternative programs.
Works with Youth Workforce Services program staff to ensure youth receive appropriate employment and academic linkages and other services.
Collaborates with school staff to support dropout prevention and intervention services including the development of services for youth who need alternative education to complete a high school diploma or equivalent.
Answers telephone calls regarding services; follows up with inquiring youth.
Maintains record of all clients contact and services received by clients. Records are kept manually, through database systems (CalJOBS), and trackers.
Coordinates program activities for active, follow-up and universal access participants.
Successfully implements dropout prevention and recovery strategies for youth.
Develops and maintains relationships with employers and community resources.
Ensures that participants move into unsubsidized employment, vocational training and/or post-secondary education/college.
Provides case management for youth for at least 12 months after completion of program goals.
Works with other Youth Workforce Services program staff and collaborators, Career Advisors to develop and implement group activities (leadership development training, college field trips, work readiness sessions, volunteer experience, etc.). Plan and coordinate enriching summer opportunities, college, career, personal enrichment field trips.
Conducts home, school, or work visits, as necessary.
Responsible for ensuring that participants meet retention and performance outcomes.
Participates in case management training and professional development provided by PLN and collaborating partners.
Holds the highest expectations for all students.
Assists with special projects and programs as requested.
Performs other duties as directed by supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

Experience working with youth ages 16-24 from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and knowledgeable about the first-generation college student experience.
Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) experience is a plus.
Familiarity with the Central Los Angeles area preferred. This position requires that the Career Advisor builds trust in the community and is aware of the needs and concerns of youth.
Passionate about increasing the college success of and college degree completion rate for first-generation, low-income students.
Knowledgeable about high school and college campus…