College Counselor, YES LA (3 yrs + exp req)

Friends United Youth Center; Time; Hybrid; NOK 671,000 - 758,000; Full time

Job summary

United Friends of the Children in Los Angeles is seeking a College Counselor on the Youth Empowerment and Success (YES) Team to guide foster youth from 6th grade through college graduation and beyond, building trusting relationships for college success.

The Counselor maintains connections with youth and families, travels to multiple LA locations for on-site visits, with a Tuesday–Saturday schedule and occasional evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support foster youth from 6th grade through college graduation on the YES team.
• Build relationships with youth and families to guide college-going paths.
• Travel to various locations in the Los Angeles metro area for on-site visits; some evenings and weekends may be required.

Job description

Full-time, Exempt: Full-time, Exempt: $70,304 - $79,400

Job Title - College Counselor - Los Angeles

Reports to - Manager, Education Program (YES - Los Angeles Team)

Status - Full-time, Exempt

Organization Overview

United Friends of the Children empowers current and former foster/justice involved youth on their journey to self-sufficiency through service-enriched programs, advocacy, and consistent relationships with a community of people who care. Founded over 40 years ago, United Friends’ is a leading provider of youth development services to current and former foster youth in Los Angeles County. Through its housing and education programs, the organization has helped thousands of young people imagine and actualize their own dreams and futures. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and empowerment by prioritizing a whole-person-development approach. Through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) model, we center building relationships with youth over an extended period to achieve greater outcomes. Around those relationships, United Friends wraps an array of supportive services to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. As a result of services, United Friends alumni have greater housing and economic stability, higher educational attainment and a stronger sense of community and emotional wellbeing.

Position Overview

Starting as early as the 6th grade and following students through college graduation, UFC’s Education Program forges trusting relationships with youth in foster care as they navigate some of life’s most pivotal moments. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and youth empowerment by prioritizing the whole-person-development of youth in care through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) approach, while building relationships with the youth over an extended period. The College Counselor on the Youth Empowerment and Success (YES) Team carries a caseload of up to 30 foster youth in grades 6-12. Utilizing a Tuesday through Saturday work schedule, the College Counselor builds meaningful relationships with his/her/their youth and families to ensure that they receive the best possible guidance, support, and empowerment to achieve their goals while experiencing overall positive youth development.

United Friends currently implements a hybrid work environment - schedule is determined at the discretion of management and the needs of the program and/or agency. This position will work full-time hours, Tuesday-Saturday. The College Counselor will travel to various locations throughout the Los Angeles metro area to provide on-site visits to foster youth, and occasionally to the main office in Downtown LA. Saturdays, the College Counselor will work from workshop/event locations in the greater Los Angeles area. Some evening, weekend, and overnight work is required.

Please note that this position is funded under a contract with Los Angeles County, which requires proof of vaccination or a medical/religious exemption.