What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Achievement Specialist position at SPANISH SPEAKING UNITY COUNCIL?
Title: Youth Achievement Specialist
Reports To: LMA Manager
Department: Community Programs (Latinx Mentorship & Achievement)
Location: Madison Park Academy, Oakland, CA
Schedule: Monday through Friday – Year-Round position
Travel: Local travel required
Salary: $27-$30 DOE
Employee Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt
Union: N/A
Supervises: N/A
Benefits:
Two weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, up to five floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.
Agency Summary
The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.
Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 11,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Contra Costa County. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 300 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.
Program Summary
The Community Programs department houses integrated educational, career, financial and housing services, aimed at removing barriers and providing resources to Oakland’s residents to stay on a path towards social equity. The Youth Achievement program includes our Latinx Mentorship and Achievement (LMA) program and other youth initiatives that prepare youth of color to thrive educationally and in life. LMA is a school-based, culturally-rooted, educational support program for female and non-binary identified Latinx youth ages 14 to 19 years old in Oakland. The goals of the program are to support youth with high school transition and graduation, social emotional wellness, and positive relationships. The LMA program connects youth and their families to services that address their needs. LMA provides culturally rooted Latine focused programming, leadership and identity development, and peer-peer counseling. Core values of our teachings include but are not limited to: Collective and Transformative Leadership, building critical consciousness, transformative agency, holistic well-being, Intersectionality lens, Cultural and identity exploration.
Position Summary
The primary responsibilities of the High School LMA Specialist are to support youth through engaging activities and learning opportunities throughout the school year. This includes leading two programs throughout the academic school year (Chicane studies course and a Peer-Peer counseling and Wellness program) and a two-week youth leadership program in the summer. To be successful, the LMA Specialist will be committed to social justice, help support students through a holistic lens alongside other staff, the Youth Achievement Coordinator and colleagues in Community Programs and external partners.
Responsibilities
Programming
- Implement and facilitate LMA’s two year-round academic programs (Chicane/Latine studies and Peer Wellness Ambassador program) and one two-week youth leadership initiative
School Climate
- Implement healing circles and restorative justice practices for LMA students.
- Attend Professional Development and collaboration meetings at designated high school.
- Partner with school-based health center staff to increase health awareness and link to social service referrals.
- Communicate effectively and consistently with school administration, teachers, and other school staff members.
Individualized Mentorship
- Teach, model, and reinforce desired pro-social classroom skills (personal accountability, active listening, patience, empathy, etc.).
- Support students with culturally-rooted mentorship to establish an environment of trust as a protective factor for trauma impacted youth. Strengthen cultural and personal resilience through teachings.
- Assess students’ strengths and needs (academic, wellness, and personal) to construct individualized plans; maintain and monitor academic and behavioral progress of students; identify needs (e.g., study skills, tutoring, social activities, nutritional needs, etc.) and connect students to resources.
- Partner with school administration, teachers and guardians to advocate for holistic, youth- and family-centered solutions.
Academic Support and College Advising
- Provide academic advising; this includes implementing activities that support reading and writing skills.
- Support students with one-on-one and small group tutoring that supports academic skills development for focal students with less than a 2.5 GPA.
- Work alongside counselors to empower first-generation and/or low-income students to make postsecondary college or vocational education plans.
Employment Counseling and Internship Linkage
- Support participants in exploring career options
- Expose students to internship opportunities and link eligible youth to employment opportunities via referrals to The Unity Council’s workforce programs and other partnering organizations.
- Facilitate summer learning program to engage youth in skill building and career exploration activities (college tours, recreational trips, and career fairs).
Administrative
- Work independently to prepare lesson plans and materials for daily instruction.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with referral partners at schools and other community organizations to increase resources for youth.
- Administer student intake and evaluations; maintain student files and records; document required information; enter and maintain data entries on student intervention
- Support coverage at other sites based on program needs and work schedule as directed by the LMA Coordinator.
Qualifications
- Must be bilingual in Spanish and English.
- Must be able to travel to and from designated school site in Oakland.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, public health, education, ethnic studies or related field/Bachelor’s degree in progress will be accepted with years of teaching and or instruction experience.
- 2 years of youth development, afterschool, and or para-professional experience can be substituted for BA degree.
- Multicultural competency in working with immigrant, newcomer, low income and diverse youth who face multiple barriers to success.
- Strong alignment and consistency with The Unity Council’s social equity values, mission and vision and LMA values.
- Must have a passion for working with youth, mentoring young girls and nonbinary, LGBTQIA youth, and community development.
- Must have ability to communicate effectively with administration, youth providers, youth and parents.
Essential Functions
- Regularly required to perform basic computer skills with strong MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and social media skills.
- Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (personal computer, photocopier, fax, etc.)
- Regularly required to interact with a diverse group of stakeholders and district personnel.
Pre-employment Requirements
- Fingerprints
- Physical
- TB Test
This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.
*** Please submit your cover letter and resume. ****
The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women, underrepresented communities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Salary : $27 - $30
