Updated March 1, 2022

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Position: In-School Work Experience Counselors

In-School Work Experience Counselors (WECs) are responsible for recruiting, engaging and ensuring their trainees successfully complete our workforce training programs. Under general supervision, all counselors have direct service responsibilities to provide professional workforce counseling, job development training, and educational activities. WECs are responsible for helping trainees attain professional competencies and overcome barriers to education and employment. Counselors must be able to build relationships with trainees while modeling healthy boundaries and providing support in a way that encourages professional development.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Case Management (40% of time)

  • Provide intensive case management to Oakland high-school teens (15-18 year old) who have significant barriers to employment and education: 40 youth during the school year in two groups of 20, and 33 youth in the summer.
  • Conduct in-depth personal and career counseling sessions.
  • Evaluate the educational, work, personal history and career interests of clients to determine program eligibility, availability, supportive service needs, identifying barriers to participation and setting appropriate training and vocational goals.
  • Perform weekly worksite visits to ensure the youth are making adequate progress and that all worksite issues are resolved promptly.
  • Complete and review all program paperwork including files, case notes, and biweekly time sheets.
  • Consistently implement program guidelines, rules, and structure.

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

  • Serve as liaisons and YEP representatives throughout the Oakland community.
  • Outreach, develop, and maintain internship worksite partnerships (businesses and non-profits) that provide a variety of work experience options for the youth trainees.
  • Attend various community, funder, and government meetings to support YEP’s work – occasionally outside of your regular schedule.
  • Recruit youth for program participation from a variety of community partners, public agencies, and community outreach while keeping program eligibility and program fit in mind.
  • Monitor school and work attendance, GPA, and credit recovery as it relates to the youth’s educational progress.

Job Training/Facilitation (15% of time)

  • Explain and clarify requirements, polices, program services, and procedures of employment and training programs to youth and the general public, both orally and in writing.
  • 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 and professional behavior of youth.
  • Develop and deliver lesson plans on various life skills topics.
  • Coach youth towards employability through one-on-one meetings and small group sessions.
  • Assist with lobby duty by greeting all guests, answering and redirecting calls, and keeping the culture of our space professional and warm.

Young Adult Counseling Team Support (10% of time)

  • Support the Young Adult Counseling team with facilitation and teaching of weekly job readiness training and employment competency workshops for their young adult clients as needed.
  • Provide classroom/lobby coverage when needed.
  • Share crossover resources with Young Adult Counseling team as needed.

COMPENSATION:

SALARY | WECs are paid a rate of $24.25-$27.00 per hour (equivalent to an annual full-time salary of $50,440–$56,160), commensurate with experience and education.

PERFORMANCE BONUSES | After completing the new-employee evaluation period, and if YEP meets its quarterly outcome goals, WECs are eligible to receive up to a 10% bonus, calculated on a quarterly basis. YEP counseling staff have an average bonus rate of 7% ($500-$1,150 per quarter).

BENEFITS | YEP offers a competitive benefits package of an additional 17% (2% set aside for mental health) of gross monthly salary in a flexible cafeteria-style plan, offering medical, dental, and vision plans as well as gym membership, health & wellness, childcare and education reimbursement options. Example: $55,000 annual salary x 17% = $9,350 in flexible benefits per year, or ~$779 per month.

PAID TIME OFF | YEP offers 11 paid holidays, 4 personal holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS: BA or BS required (will accept applicants graduating college in spring 2022)

WORK EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS: WECs must have successful backgrounds in employment and job training. All candidates must possess the following: a serious commitment to working with at-risk youth and young adults; a strong ability to organize & problem-solve; ability to multi-task at an extraordinarily high level; ability to thrive in a high energy, demanding work environment; sensitivity to the needs of our client population and maintain clear counselor/client boundaries; a strong, demonstrated work ethic; strong public speaking, verbal, and written communication skills; comfortable working in a non-profit environment (i.e., large workforce training warehouse in the Oakland flatlands); and a serious dedication to working in a non-profit environment in order to better the lives of underserved youth in the Oakland community.

This position is also contingent upon your ability to:

  1. Pass a fingerprint and background check (required of all YEP employees).
  2. Access to a vehicle at least 20 hours/week, a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance.

TO APPLY: Please submit a 1) COVER LETTER and 2) RESUME to info@yep.org with “WEC” in the subject line.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

 No phone calls, please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Youth Employment Partnership, Inc. actively seeks to hire, promote, and provide services to individuals without regard to race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin or age. If you need accommodations, please contact the office.