About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.
Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.
Position Overview
Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Career Advisor is responsible for assessing the client needs for services and providing appropriate case management to help youth reach desired employment and academic goals. The career advisor will work with youth under the Para Los Niños Central YouthSource Center which will serve youth ages 17-24 with a focus on re-engaging youth in school and work, improving student retention, and bolstering academic proficiency. 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 as it fits within the city-wide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program and the mission of the collaborative partners.
- Conducts program outreach, recruitment, orientations, and client intake/eligibility.
- Performs comprehensive assessment of youth to determine academic, vocational and/or supportive service needs.
- Develops Individual Service Strategy plan for youth (ISS).
- Serves as an advocate for the participant, assisting them in identifying the best available resources to help them become successful in school, work, and life.
- Establishes, utilizes, and maintains effective systems of working with students, parents, schools, social agencies, and other individuals and agencies needed to assist in resolving dropout-related issues and increasing student achievement and graduation rate.
- Assists universal access participants who utilize the YouthSource Center.
- Provides appropriate linkages to network partner services.
- Facilitates meetings with parents, school counselors, probation, law enforcement, employers, and other entities for the purpose of ensuring that outcomes and objectives for youth are achieved.
- Works with Youth Workforce Services program staff to ensure youth receives appropriate employment/academic linkages and other services.
- Collaborate with school staff to support dropout prevention and intervention services including the development of services for youth who need alternative education in order to complete a high school diploma or HiSET.
- Answers telephone calls regarding services; follows up with inquiring youth.
- Maintains record of all client contacts and services received by clients. Records are kept manually and through database systems (CalJOBS), and internal trackers.
- Coordinates program activities for active, follow-up and walk-in participants.
- Successfully implement dropout prevention and recovery strategies for youth.
- Develops and maintains relationships with employers and community resources.
- Ensure that participants move into unsubsidized employment, vocational training and/or post-secondary education.
- Provides frequent follow up services for youth for at least 12 months after completion of program goals.
- Work as a team with other Youth Workforce Services Program staff and Collaborators, Career Advisors to develop and implement group activities (leadership development training, community organizing, volunteer work) for and with youth participants.
- Conduct home, school, or work visits as necessary.
- Responsible for ensuring that participants meet retention and performance outcomes.
- The Career Advisor must participate in case management training and professional development provided by PLN and collaborating partners. Topics for professional development sessions include instruction in identification of at-risk youth, establishing trust with youth, culturally appropriate care, service planning, use of assessment tools, as well as other relevant youth development topics as required.
- Career Advisor will also participate in several training courses provided by the City of LA Economic & Workforce Development Department, including data management and the WIOA Youth Training.
- Assists with special projects and programs as requested.
- Performs other duties as directed.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
- Good verbal and writing skills, including a strong grasp on computer programs.
- Provide outstanding customer service and confidentiality.
- Ability to maintain participant files and other documentation.
- Have the ability to identify and access community resources.
- Ability to work in a team environment and provide support to fellow team members.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret most complex documents relating to regulations under WIA guidelines.
- Have knowledge of the needs of youth and factors that support their social and physical well-being.
- Must have the ability to nurture respectful relationship with youth and be sensitive to the clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Ability to work independently, be flexible and dependable, and demonstrate initiative and creativity.
- Personnel who provide youth services have the ability to: Lead discussions, conceptualize well, and communicate effectively.
- Mobilize and educate youth about formal and informal resources to support families.
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
Education and Certification Requirements
- BA or equivalent required.
- At least two (2) years of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act experience preferred.
- At least three (3) years of experience working with low-income, underserved youth and families.
- Familiar with the Central Los Angeles area. This position requires that the Career Advisor builds trust in the community and is aware of the needs and concerns of youth.
Special Requirements
- Must have a reliable automobile for use on the job (mileage to be reimbursed).
- Valid California driver’s license. State required automobile insurance coverage.
- Must be able to work until 8:00 p.m. twice a week and on Saturdays.
Physical Requirements
To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
- Must be able to speak and hear well.
- Good vision is imperative.
- Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff
Candidates for employment at a Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:
- Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
- Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
- Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
- Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
- Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
- Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
- Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
- Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
- Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.
Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.
