Project Advisor

About Us

VOALA (Volunteers of America) is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing programs, as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

About the Role

The Project Advisor is responsible for preparing participants for high school graduation and post-secondary education. The services and activities performed will enhance motivation and improve graduation rates, including coordination of tutorial services, college and career advising, academic achievement monitoring, and college and career tours.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, select, enroll, and advise students at an assigned high school; conduct outreach to students and the community.
• Provide participants with academic advising and planning, career awareness and assessment, post-secondary option information, application assistance, college entrance examination information, and financial aid advising.
• Develop curriculum and conduct workshops/seminars on college and career planning, financial literacy, and personal development.
• Coordinate tutorial services available at the target school, including internal program resources, other VOALA services, and community services; supervise, monitor, and support tutors, instructors, and advisors.
• Take an active role in the participants' discipline process, including write-ups, verbal warnings, and communication with parents/guardians.
• Prepare intervention plans for students performing at a grade of C or below.
• Plan and organize college visits and other educational group functions; actively supervise program participants during group activities to ensure safety.
• Refer participants and parents to specific outside resources as needed.
• Enter data into the Blumen database to track student contacts, tutoring resource schedules, and other relevant information.
• Prepare weekly evaluations and reports; maintain organized, accurate, and up-to-date files on participants.
• Observe all tutoring resource activities to assess quality of instruction and student engagement.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, supervising, and attending program activities and field trips.
• Collaborate with other agencies and VOA programs to improve program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Report to the Project Director and assist with the collection of data for the Annual Performance Report (APR).

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment, and education verifications.
• Proof of TB clearance within 6 months prior to hire.
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts when dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients.
• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional or personal experience working in an educational setting, TRIO Federal program, or similar program with disadvantaged and at-risk students. Experience as a tutor, student teacher, or personal experience in a TRIO or Upward Bound program can be included.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, social work, or counseling from an accredited college or university.
• Formal training and/or work experience in programming that improves secondary school retention/graduation rates.
• Experience preparing high school students for admission and financial aid to post-secondary schools.
• Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting project participants.
• TRIO experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Essential Notes

• Services for this position must be provided on-site; incumbents are required to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
• As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Pay

$25.94 - $27.30 per hour.

Benefits

VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.