Organization: YouthBuild Charter School of California
Job Title: Counselor, 9-12
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: 6/10/08

Job Description

YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) is a public school chartered in Inyo County and serving 16-24 year old out of school/out of work students in grades 9-12 throughout the state of California. We are currently seeking a school counselor at our site located at WLCAC in Watts.

YouthBuild students balance their time between academic work and learning vocation skills including construction of low-income housing, technology, health care, manufacturing, and green industries. Students participate in program governance and leadership activities. This is a performance- and competency-based program, using curriculum co-created with Diploma Plus. Diploma Plus offers a rigorous inquiry-driven program, driven by contextualized learning, which allows students to progress towards competency at their own pace.

General Description:
YCSC is seeking an experienced School Counselor with high school and/or alternative education experience to provide intensive support and life skills instruction for learners enrolled in a unique charter school which serves at-risk high school students ages 16–24. The successful candidate will have strong skills in the areas of counseling and community engagement, and documented experience working in intervention programs for at risk youth. The School Counselor initiates student contact to ensure student success within the program; provides school-to-career and college admissions advising; counsels on attendance and other issues; researches and evaluates available community services in assisting students to remove barriers; develops and implements recruitment and retention strategies; and assists in the classroom by offering life skills training to reinforce the academic and vocational components of the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Advises students on program requirements and helps develop student’s future focus on college and/or career.
• Assists students in career exploration.
• Works collaboratively with school faculty and administration to develop strategies for keeping at-risk students in class.
• Works collaboratively with other departments to facilitate and address student and program needs.
• Provides support for students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises, which may impact school performance.
• Helps students access needed counseling services, support networks, community health, or housing services.
• Develops, facilitates, and delivers classroom instruction in life skills and leadership development such as time management, study strategies, goal setting, communication skills and building confidence.
• Facilitates and/or participates in orientation and recruitment meetings.
• Maintains an active case load of 25-35 students, and maintains a file on each enrolled student with accurate case notes and documentation. Ensures confidentiality is maintained.
• Maintains statistical information and summary information in reports as needed.
• Submits required paper work according to specified timelines.
• Participates in staff-development workshops and activities, as required.
• Meets with students and other program members to ensure student success or to recommend alternate educational placement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2 years demonstrated experience working with at-risk youth.
• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling or related field; Master’s preferred.
  Experience assessing student needs and coordinating educational and community-based services.
  Ability to work with at-risk and culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to deliver public presentations.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and work in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and well-organized records; and use computers for data and word processing.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during emotionally charged situations; explain policies and procedures, rules, and regulations in a non-threatening manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in written form.
• Bi-lingual Spanish-English strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits
Salary range $40,000-$50,000 plus benefits, based on qualification and experience. Position is full-time; year round.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT EMPLOYER

To Apply
Please submit your resume via email only. Paste the resume into the body of your email and submit to Sandy Eiges, Interim Principal, at sandy.eiges@gmail.com.

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