Vista Haven Teacher

Vista Del Mar; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Del Mar in Los Angeles seeks a Teacher for the Office of Refugee Resettlement program to plan, implement, and supervise a multi-subject curriculum for youth aged 13–17, in compliance with ORR requirements.

You will manage classroom operations, track progress, maintain a safe and trauma-informed learning environment, supervise aides, and collaborate with education, clinical, and youth care staff to support educational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and relevant certifications.
• Experience in school or youth treatment setting preferred.
• Bilingual in any language preferred.
• Ability to manage classroom and de-escalate conflicts.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed educational services and ensure six hours of structured instruction daily.
• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with program objectives and ORR requirements.
• Maintain classroom operations, supervise youth, and track progress for the treatment team.
• Complete administrative duties and documentation within timelines.
• Ensure safety and supervise up to three teacher aides.
• Collaborate with education staff and other program personnel to support progress.
• Maintain a safe, culturally responsive classroom environment.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Bilingual (preferred)

Classroom management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Certification by governing authority (TESL/TESOL)

Job description

For more than a century, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has been dedicated to supporting children and families across Los Angeles County through high-quality programs and compassionate care. Our goal is to help children and families build strong foundations that support growth, stability, and meaningful opportunities throughout their lives. Many of the individuals we serve have faced long-standing challenges, and we are committed to meeting families where they are with respect and understanding. Vista Del Mar is guided by values centered on growth, opportunity, fairness, and excellence in service.

OUR CULTURE

At Vista Del Mar, our work is strengthened by the people we serve and the dedicated staff who support them. We strive to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, care, and respect. We recognize that personal experiences and life circumstances shape how individuals engage within their communities, and we actively work to reduce barriers while improving access and outcomes for families. Vista Del Mar is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in care, collaboration, professional growth, and mutual support, where each individual feels welcomed and valued. We believe meaningful action is the foundation of lasting trust.We welcome qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Relevant professional and lived experience that supports effective service delivery to children and families is valued. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, and organizational needs.

MISSION:

Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.

The Teacher at Vista Haven, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is responsible for the planning, implementing, and administering curriculum developed and facilitated for youth in compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. The teacher is responsible for classroom operations, supervision, planning, instruction and setting educational goals and objectives. They track youth progress and inform the treatment team of this.The teacher demonstrates knowledge of trauma-informed care and infuses the framework, Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC), in their daily interactions with staff and youth. Teachers are in an assigned classroom 5 days per week, year round. Will provide a multi-subject curriculum for age groups 13-17.

Essential Job Duties (other duties may be assigned):

• Educational services must be provided based on each youth's academic development, literacy

level, and linguistic ability. Each youth must receive a minimum of six hours of structured

education, Monday through Friday, throughout the year in basic academic areas (Science, Social

Studies, Math, Reading, Writing, Physical Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL), if

applicable).

• Develop and implement lesson plans, curriculum, and engaging educational activities that align

with program objectives, contract standards, and the diverse academic and developmental needs

of youth.

• They are responsible for classroom operations, supervision, planning, instruction, and setting

educational goals and objectives. They track youth progress, assignment completion or

challenges, behavior management provided, and attendance, and inform the treatment team of

any changes.

• Maintains continuous line-of-sight and/or sound supervision and active monitoring of youth at all

times—including during classroom instruction, transitions, recreational activities, and all other

program activities—to ensure their safety, security, well-being, accountability, and compliance

with ORR policies, program procedures, monitoring requirements, and required staff-to-youth

• Completes administrative duties, including maintaining, filing, uploading, and organizing required

student and program records, ensuring documentation is accurate, confidential, and completed

within established timelines and ORR program requirements.

• Conducts an initial educational assessment within 72 hours of a youth’s admission to the facility

to determine academic level, identify educational strengths and needs, and inform individualized

instructional planning and support services.

• Maintains classroom management and supports positive youth behavior by observing,

addressing, and redirecting challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate techniques

that promote safety, respect, accountability, and a positive learning environment.

• Responsible for the overall operation and management of an assigned classroom, maintaining

required staff-to-youth ratios (1:6), and supervising, supporting, and training up to three (3)

Teacher Aides in all aspects of classroom activities and responsibilities.

• Reports and documents any incidents, safety concerns, behavioral concerns, disclosures, injuries,

or significant events involving youth in accordance with ORR requirements, program policies, and

established reporting timelines, including immediately notifying appropriate supervisory staff

when required.

Secondary Duties:

• Provides individualized academic support to youth by adapting instruction, assignments, and

learning strategies based on each youth’s educational level, learning needs, language abilities,

and developmental considerations.

• Develops and implements lesson plans, curriculum, and educational activities that address

the needs of youth with varying academic levels, ages, learning styles, and educational

backgrounds while supporting identified learning goals and ORR education requirements.

• Evaluates youth assignments and educational progress, provides appropriate feedback, and

maintains documentation of academic performance and progress toward educational goals.

• Collaborates with education staff, case management, clinical staff, Youth Care staff, and other

program personnel to support youth educational progress, behavioral needs, and overall

• Maintains classroom management by implementing structured routines, expectations, and

developmentally appropriate behavior support strategies that promote safety, accountability,

and a positive learning environment.

• Creates and maintains a safe, supportive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed

classroom environment that promotes academic learning, positive social interactions, and

• Demonstrates knowledge of adolescent development and the unique educational, behavioral,

and social-emotional needs of unaccompanied children, including youth with limited English

proficiency, learning needs, and histories of trauma.

• Maintains professional communication and completes required written documentation,

reports, and records while effectively communicating with youth, staff, and internal or

external program partners.

• Completes additional education-related responsibilities and program duties as assigned by

the Program Director and/or Assistant Program Director to support program operations and

compliance with ORR requirements.

Qualifications Required:

To perform this job successfully, the applicant must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required;

reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions. Training and experience working with youth who have experienced trauma.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

• Certification by the relevant governing authority (e.g., Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or

Education Specialist), Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English to Speakers of Other

Languages certification (i.e., TESL/TESOL certification), or other appropriate accrediting body

• At least 1 year of experience working in a school or youth treatment setting is preferred.

• Able to interrupt physical and verbal altercations among youths using training from the CPI-

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and de-escalation skills, provide support and care via a trauma-

informed lens acquired from TSI- Risking Connections training, administer CPR/First Aid, and

perform basic lifting.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills and work ethic.

• Training and experience working with children who have experienced trauma are preferred.

• Bilingual in any language preferred.

• Be at least 21 years old.

Must fulfill all requirements of employment, including clearance of all required background records (e.g., Department of Justice, Youth Abuse, California Community Care Licensing, County Sanction List, etc.), professional reference checks, physical examination with TB test, and drug screening.

Vista Del Mar’s Credentials:

Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instructions.

Equal Employment Statement

Vista Del Mar is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Vista Del Mar will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.