VCN Youth Advocate

Description

The VCN Youth Advocate will be part of an innovative team of service providers and educational experts that will work collectively to create and run a program for young people in South Los Angeles who face the greatest barriers to finding employment. The advocate will provide one-on-one supportive services to at‑risk and transition‑age youth in the VCN Youth Source Center who are preparing to join the workforce.

Daily responsibilities include assessing basic needs, identifying employment and education barriers, developing Individual Service Plans, and coordinating services to help youth secure living‑wage jobs and a career path upon completion of the Workforce program.

• Contact, receive, and review referrals to the VCN Youth Source Center from local schools, community‑based organizations, and government agencies, including walk‑ins.
• Work 1–2 Saturdays per month as needed.
• Participate and coordinate outreach activities, including presentations to non‑profit organizations, government agencies, probation/parole staff, schools, and door‑to‑door outreach in the targeted South Los Angeles neighborhood.
• Conduct program orientation and intake assessments for incoming youth on the advocate’s caseload.
• Recruit and enroll 60 youth annually (July 1 – June 30).
• Facilitate weekly and monthly readiness assessments for youth interested in WIOA services.
• Conduct individual needs assessments, capturing barriers to housing, food, education, income, employment, foster‑care services, gang affiliation, and justice system involvement.
• Develop Individual Service Plans that identify barriers to employment, actionable steps, and goals for self‑sufficiency.
• Place youth in part‑time entry‑level work with on‑the‑job training as part of CRCD’s training component; ensure all youth complete 120 hours of work experience through WIOA.
• Identify and secure 2–4 worksite partnerships for youth entering the caseload.
• Accurately enter participant data into the JobsLA and Efforts‑to‑Outcomes (ETO) systems.
• Assist youth with enrollment in Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
• Support youth in attaining a high school diploma or GED.
• Observe youth in classroom settings and provide resolutions to classroom disruptions.
• Participate in quarterly and annual professional development.
• Assist youth with placement into jobs or internships aligned with their personal and professional goals.
• Oversee and coach interns and other staff providing direct support to youth.
• Facilitate and coordinate life‑skills workshops and educational activities.
• Enter case notes, performance completion, and case‑management interventions into the participant file and JobsLA.
• Coordinate service‑learning and civic‑engagement events for participants.
• Conduct weekly individual and group case‑management sessions.
• Maintain a positive, engaging personality and willingness to work with youth who face challenges related to authority.

Full‑time

• Associate’s degree in Human Services preferred; three to four years of related experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Current California driver license with a clean driving record.
• Experience verifying WIOA eligibility and delivering WIOA services.
• Understanding and experience implementing the 14 WIOA program elements.
• Experience entering data into the JobsLA system.
• Experience registering or enrolling youth into community college.
• Fluent in case‑management facilitation.
• Experience facilitating group workshops.
• Understanding and knowledge of education disparities in the Vernon‑Central community.
• Proficient reading and writing skills.

• Previous experience working with foster youth.
• Experience working with African‑American and Latino communities.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles community resources and social service providers.
• Knowledge and understanding of community development and the non‑profit sector.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Training certificate in case‑management services (plus).
• This is not a work‑from‑home position; the role reports to the office five days a week.

$50,000.00 – $55,000.00 annually

• 14 paid holidays
• On‑demand…