Job Title: College and Career Coach
Are you passionate about giving back to your community and serving the youth? Who We Are: In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft Rangers has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way-a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area. We believe that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be active participants in defining their own path.
What We Do: Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school specialty enrichment and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft Rangers has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer Lifecraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 1,000 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 20,000 youth ages 4-18 annually in and from 110+ Title I schools across LA County!
Ideal Candidate: An ideal candidate for the College and Career Coach position is a proactive and resourceful professional with a strong background in college and career advising, preferably holding an advanced degree in counseling or higher education. They possess exceptional communication and organizational skills, allowing them to effectively engage with staff, understand their unique needs, and guide them towards academic and professional success. With a deep understanding of the college admissions process and current industry trends, the ideal candidate is a self-starter who excels in both independent and team environments. They are skilled at building relationships, both internally and externally, to provide comprehensive support to staff. A commitment to continuous learning and a passion for empowering others, coupled with the ability to deliver engaging training sessions and workshops, make this individual well-suited to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be available during morning hours to accommodate our workforce, ideally between the hours of 9a.m-1p.m.
Role Overview: The College and Career Coach will play a pivotal role in providing direct support to Woodcraft Rangers staff in their ongoing personal and professional development. This position will support current staff in identifying and pursuing goals related to academic and career advancement through activities such as transcript reviews, course selection and navigation, financial aid support, resume review, cover letter editing, personalized 1:1 coaching, resource connection/awareness, and training delivery. This includes conducting workshops on topics such as scholarship and college essays, FAFSA, resume writing, interviewing techniques, networking strategies, and career exploration. This position will collaborate across all departments to best understand the needs of Woodcraft employees and identify opportunities for connection and additional support. The College and Career Coach will work closely with the Director of Lifecraft to ensure alignment of information and consistent support throughout their engagement with Lifecraft and employment with Woodcraft Rangers.
Responsibilities: - Engage with Woodcraft staff individually and in groups to identify areas of need and interest to support their academic and professional development.
- Conduct intake surveys with all new staff members as part of New Hire Orientation training on a weekly basis.
- Analyze intake forms to create initial individual action plans to guide staff engagement and interest.
- Meet 1:1 with staff on an as-needed basis to build rapport, understand individual context, and provide advice and direction on professional development possibilities and next steps.
- Stay current on industry best practices and current trends in order to provide staff with up-to-date information that could support their college or career advancement.
- Provide brainstorming, guidance, feedback, and support for college admissions and scholarships applications.
- Be highly knowledgeable about the college admissions and transfer process and be able to discuss the expectations of college admissions officers.
- Develop and deliver content on relevant topics related to college and career advancement and based on identified staff needs.
- Coach staff in employment skills and promote career and internship opportunities.
- Lead/Facilitate trainings and webinars on identified topics for staff on an ongoing and as needed basis.
- Liaise with various Woodcraft departments to ensure staff are receiving all available support offered.
- Collaborate with Strategy Team to build external partnerships that provide additional resources and support that can be offered to staff.
- Assist in the planning and execution of Woodcraft events and trainings as needed.
- Represent Woodcraft at conferences, job fairs, and additional internal and external events as needed.
- Maintain and manage staff information to ensure ongoing tracking and evaluation of program impact is taking place.
- Support with the writing of grant narratives or evaluation reports as needed.
Qualifications: - Master's degree in counseling in higher education.
- Demonstrated experience working within the field of college and career advising.
- Experience working within or in partnership with post-secondary institutions.
- Self-starter with ability to work effectively individually as well as being strong team player.
- Proactive and goal oriented with strong decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Highly organized and detail oriented with ability to multi-task.
- Professional and mature presentation with high quality customer services skills.
- Effective listening skills.
- Intellectual and social curiosity.
- Active computer skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office products.
- Excellent teamwork ethic and experience.
- Spanish language proficiency is preferred.
- Well-organized, energetic, creative and motivated professional with the ability to work with a diverse group of people including board members, staff and volunteers.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and move, or feel and use a computer and/or laptop. The employee is required to speak, hear, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to a computer monitor. The noise level reflects typical work environment for job description.
Status: Independent Contractor, Approximately 10 hours per week/40 hours per month
Salary Range: $60.00/hr Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination regarding race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military or veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.