Project Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

About Us:

VOALA Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

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 program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at

PAY RATE: $25.94 - $27.30 Per Hour

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

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

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

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Student Support Functions
• Recruit, select, enroll, and advise students at an assigned High School; conduct outreach to students and community;
• Provide participants at the target school with academic advising and planning, career awareness and assessment, post-secondary option information and application assistance, college entrance examination information, financial aid advising and application assistance to ensure successful graduation from secondary school and enrollment in post-secondary institution;
• 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 other community services; supervise, monitor, and support Tutors, Instructors, Advisors (et cetera);
• Take an active role with the participants discipline process, including but not limited to: write ups; verbal warnings; and communication with parent/guardian;
• Prepare an intervention plan for student’s performing at a grade of C and below;
• Plan and organize college visits and other educational group functions, actively supervise program participants during group activities ensuring the safety of all participants;
• Refer participants and parents to specific outside resources as needed;
• Program Operational Functions
• Enter data to Blumen database keeping track of the student contacts, Tutoring resource schedules (i.e. Success Center hours, etc.;
• Prepare weekly evaluations and weekly reports;
• Maintain organized, accurate, and up-to-date files and records on participants documenting and detailing services provided, student progress and outcomes;
• Observe all tutoring resource(s) activities (Student Tutors, Success Center, Saturday Academy, etc.) 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 other VOA programs work as a team member aiding in the efficiency and effectiveness of the program;
• Report to Project Director and/or Directors employed with the program; ensuring that program objectives are met annually (improved academic performance, competitive scores on entrance exams, improved retention/graduation, completion of post-secondary education), assist with the collection of data for the Annual Performance Report (APR)
• Additional duties may be assigned

ESSENTIAL ABILITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Ability to work and deal with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs, which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
• Academic advising and planning, career awareness and assessment, post-secondary application assistance, college entrance examination information, financial aid advising and application assistance
• Recruit participants, perform outreach to school and community
• Develop curriculum and conduct workshops/seminars on college and career planning, financial literacy and personal development
• Coordinate tutorial services available at the target school and community, observe effectiveness, make referrals as appropriate
• Plan and supervise group activities and college visits, assist program activities and field trips
• Engage personally with students, prepare and execute intervention plan for poor academic performance, initiate discipline if needed, involve parents, make referrals to outside resources
• Maintain Blumen database on participants, and program schedule; prepare and record weekly evaluations, observing student privacy
• Make regular reports to Director, assist in preparation of Program’s Annual Performance Report
• Other duties as required and may be subject to change

MANDATED REPORTER

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Proof at the time of hire TB clearance within 6 months prior
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, or related degree from accredited college or university

EXPERIENCE:

• 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 or student teacher, or Personal experience in a TRIO or Upward Bound program can be included in the experience requirement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in education, social work or counseling from 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

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.