Updated August 11, 2022

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Position: Senior Work Experience Counselors

THE ROLE

Senior Work Experience Counselors (Senior WEC) are responsible for positively changing the lives of 40 high-risk young adults over the course of a year. After outreaching and recruiting these young adults into the program, the Senior Work Experience Counselor will support them in improving their educational level and employability through earning their high school diploma, enrolling and excelling in college or vocational programs, and securing employment with pathways to living wages. In this role, it’s critical to not only believe in the potential of young adults with barriers, but also to possess the ability to facilitate learning opportunities and work experience that will allow them to experience success and failure, to strengthen their appetite for learning new things, to develop independence and self-efficacy, to envision a different trajectory, and to ultimately outgrow the services we provide.

Counselors must be able to build relationships with young adults while modeling healthy boundaries and providing support in a way that prepares them for a professional work environment. This role is best suited for a tenacious and agile individual who is passionate about effective direct service but also feels a sense of ownership and commitment to continuous improvement of the program through which the services are provided.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Case Management (40% of time)

  • Provide intensive case management services to 15-20 young adults (18-24 year old) who face multiple barriers to education and employment and need various referrals to support services (e.g., housing, mental health counseling, legal services, anger management classes, drug and alcohol counseling).
  • Develop an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) for every client, which includes program, educational, personal and career goals as well as clear steps to reach each goal.
  • Coordinate and monitor education services in which young adults are participating, including independent study programs, high school credit recovery, adult school, tutoring, and community college classes.
  • Perform weekly worksite visits to ensure young adults are making adequate progress and all worksite issues are resolved promptly.
  • Complete and review all program paperwork including files, case notes and biweekly timesheets.
  • Transition at least 80% of your caseload into unsubsidized jobs and maintain relationships with employers to follow up on the success of job placements.

Outreach/Recruitment/Business Engagement (35% of time)

  • Recruit young adults for program participation through partnerships with a variety of community partners, public agencies and community outreach efforts with an emphasis on program eligibility and program fit.
  • Developing relationships with community and business organizations to assist program recruitment, participant support and job placement.
  • Develop and maintain subsidized internship worksite partnerships that provide a variety of work experience options for the young adults.
  • Serve as liaisons and YEP representatives throughout the Oakland community.
  • Attend various community, funder, and government meetings to support YEP’s work and our young adults – occasionally outside of your regular schedule.

Job Training/Facilitation (25% of time)

  • Work as part of a team of counselors to schedule, facilitate, and teach weekly job readiness training and employment competency workshops to improve the employability of each young adult.
  • Assist with lobby duty by greeting all guests and keeping the culture of our space professional and warm.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

In order to be successful in this role, applicant must have:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree (relevant work experience may be considered)
  • A minimum of 3+ years of experience in case management, workforce development and job readiness training programs and organizations.
  • A minimum of 5+ years of experience working with youth and young adults impacted by barriers.
  • A profound commitment to working with low-income, young adults of color in Oakland who face multiple and significant barriers.
  • A strong belief in the power of education and work experience to change lives.
  • Must be highly organized and consistently demonstrate agility and flexibility.  
  • Ability to take the initiative and come up with solutions for clients to meet education and employment goals.
  • Enjoy working in a high energy, highly collaborative and demanding work.
  • Strong public speaking, interpersonal and written communication skills.

In order to qualify for the position, candidates must:

  1. Pass a live scan background check (required of all YEP employees).
  2. Have access to a vehicle at least 20 hours/week
  3. Provide a valid driver’s license and proof of car insurance.
  4. Provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

 

COMPENSATION

  • SALARY: Senior WEC are full-time employees with an annual compensation package ranging from $57,500–$67,500 (salary + performance bonuses if quarterly goals are met) commensurate with experience and education.
  • BENEFITS
  • Health and Welfare: Senior WEC receives all benefits required by law and an additional 17% of their gross monthly salary in a cafeteria-style flexible health, dental, vision, and wellness benefit plan (of which 2% must be used for mental health support). For example, annual salary is $67,500 x 17% per month=$956.25 in monthly flexible benefits (e.g., health insurance, child care, therapy, gym membership).
  • Education: YEP Employees are eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester) in education reimbursement for pursuing further education. Reimbursement eligibility applies to new coursework and not old student loans. For coursework not directly related to your YEP role and responsibilities, a max of $4,000 per year (50%) is applicable.
  • Retirement: YEP has a 403b plan available for all employees to make voluntary contributions. YEP offers a match of $2,000 for all employees that contribute at least $2,000 in the calendar year.
  • Life Insurance: Employee are automatically enrolled in YEP’s life insurance with a $50,000 policy.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): YEP staff have access to the EAP, which connects employees with local mental health professionals and offers 24/7 free access to counseling and advice (e.g., legal, family, financial) via phone line, plus an initial assessment and the first 3 therapy sessions free of charge.
  • PERFORMANCE BONUSES: Upon completion of the new employee evaluation period, If YEP meets its quarterly outcome goals, Senior WEC is eligible to receive up to a 10% bonus, calculated on a quarterly basis. (YEP counseling staff have an average bonus rate of 7%.)
  • PAID TIME OFF: Senior WEC receives 11 paid holidays and 4 personal days annually, sick leave and vacation time.

 

TO APPLY: Please send your resume and a cover letter to mclark@yep.org.  No phone calls.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Youth Employment Partnership, Inc. actively seeks to hire, promote, and provide services to individuals without regard to race, creed, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin or age.