Youth Career Coach

Title: Youth Career Coach - STEP Program

Reports To: Youth Workforce Development Manager

Department: Community Programs

Location: Oakland, CA

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Travel: Local travel may be required

Salary: $24-$26/ hour based on experience

Employee Status: Regular, Full-time, and 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 Concord. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 340 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Department Summary

The Community Programs department offers a comprehensive suite of integrated services aimed at eliminating barriers to attain and sustain equitable health, social, educational, housing, and economic outcomes. We serve youth, adults, and seniors through services that include: 1) school-based achievement and mentoring in middle and high schools and youth workforce development; 2) food security, housing access, and financial capability; and 3) services dedicated to enhancing the well-being of low-income residents and seniors. We deliver culturally rooted, multi-lingual services, providing vital support to residents in Oakland and throughout Alameda County.

Position Summary

The STEP Program Youth Career Coach is responsible for supporting Oakland youth and young adults with disabilities, ages 16-21, with career readiness and post-secondary exploration services. Through job readiness training, career exploration, work experience opportunities and individual case management, the Coach will empower youth to access employment training, vocational pathways, education and financial capability services that address barriers to employment. The Coach will also contribute to community outreach and engagement efforts to ensure equitable access and outcomes for marginalized youth and young adults. This position collaborates with the Youth Career Services staff to design marketing strategies that include social media, canvassing, outreach and recruitment events.

Responsibilities

Individualized Coaching

• Manage and maintain a caseload of at least 35 youth annually enrolled in the STEP program.
• Provide personalized coaching sessions to help youth identify their employment and career goals.
• Collaborate with youth with disabilities to develop tailored action plans aimed at overcoming barriers to employment, vocational training, and post-secondary education.
• Conduct individual orientation sessions, review eligibility requirements, and skill and goal assessments.
• Enter program participant data based on activities and eligibility.
• Partner with Youth Services staff to place youth into career development opportunities, including internships and external programs, as needed.
• Collaborate with other Community Programs and Unity Council staff to connect eligible participants to financial capability programs, vocational training, housing access services, etc.
• Collaborate with school sites and other community partners to provide wrap around support services.
• Collect and maintain client data as required by program expectations and while adhering to confidentiality guidelines.
• Attend team meetings, professional development sessions, and supervision check-in as scheduled by management.
• Participate in program planning and ongoing evaluation activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Community Engagement

• Facilitate workshops in job readiness, leadership development, and community engagement.
• Assist with targeted outreach and recruitment activities to increase access to workforce services for youth with disabilities in Oakland.
• Connect with local employers to develop and promote internship and employment opportunities.
• Supports outreach efforts that inform employers, stakeholders and community members about our services.
• Assist with the development of outreach materials (flyers, online forms, social media posts, website content, etc.).
• Assist TUC staff and partners in conducting group orientations for potential clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, plus 1 year experience in youth development or related field. A bachelor's degree may be substituted with a High School diploma or GED, and 2 years of relevant work experience.
• One year of experience working with immigrant, low income and/or diverse individuals is required.
• Experience providing career coaching services is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with opportunity youth or disengaged youth is strongly preferred.
• Experience facilitating youth workshops and presentations.
• Familiar with youth development principles and post-secondary planning.
• Experience working in multiple projects, assignments, and/or programs; highly effective multitasking skills.
• Ability to work as a team member and possess an enthusiastic and collaborative approach.
• Excellent administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Strong alignment with The Unity Council’s social equity values, mission and vision.

Essential Functions

• Advanced computer skills with strong MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and social media skills.
• Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (personal computer, photocopier, fax, etc.)
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, and occasionally stand and walk.
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to work with a diverse client population.
• Some travel required, subsidized travel reimbursement and stipends available.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Background,
• 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 resume and cover letter***

The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, underrepresented communities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.