Heart of Los Angeles

TITLE: College Access Counselor
DEPARTMENT: College Success
REPORTS TO: College Success Director
FLSA: non-exempt
Hours: 25 hours/ week
Salary: $20/hour
Start Date: ASAP
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) provides underserved youth with free, exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities.

Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication and Support.

POSITION SUMMARY

HOLA’s College Access Counselor will be responsible for working under the supervision of the High School Program Director in supporting our college and career minded youth. This position requires an understanding of the college access pathways and counseling for underserved, low-income and undocumented students. Additionally, this position requires an ability to connect with students, build trust, and maintain communication with students post high school graduation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrate high energy and is a positive role model.
Create and foster an empowering and motivational environment for high school juniors and seniors
Work directly with HOLA’s high school program director and closely with the College Success Team (CST) to accomplish the goals of the HS College Access program; including the discussion of program development.
In conjunction with HS and CST, help identify leadership, career (internships/jobs) and pipeline programs for students.
Assess A-G completion to assist students in creating college list and applying to college.
Identify and nominate students for competitive college scholarship program such as Questbridge, Posse, etc.
Schedule first generation multicultural college visits
Help foster a college going culture by planning college knowledge and college access workshops for the junior class curriculum.
Plan college prep events for high school students such as college fairs, campus visits, and inviting appropriate career guest speakers.
Assist high school staff in training mentors/volunteers around college search, application process, admission requirements, and financial aid process; Maintain communication with mentors regarding specific concerns and/or needs of students.
Meet one-on-one with juniors and seniors throughout the academic year (within capacity) to discuss and review their academic profile and create a college access plan; best fit colleges and/or programs, campus resources
Stay up to date on admission and college access trends for first generation students by attending trainings, conferences, webinars, etc.
Build and foster relationships with partner schools.
Assist students with college fly-in programs; manage communication and arrange trips.
Maintain an up to date log of scholarships, for all grade levels and summer opportunities.
Flexibility and availability to work some late evenings and /or weekends.

May perform other duties as assigned.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Ability to be a strong role model for youth during all working hours.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude in high paced moments.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)

Must have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
College Counseling Certificate or degree preferred or 3 years of experience counseling students in low-socioeconomic environments.
Proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
Experienced working in a busy work environment.
Maintains highest standards of conduct and comportment.
Sets personal standards of behavior that serve as a model to others.
Must have ability to drive company vans, a clean driving record and a minimum of 3 years with a California Driver’s License.
One or more years of experience counseling/advising students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Experience supporting marginalized communities, such as undocumented students/families, young men of color, students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, etc.

VACCINATION POLICY

Heart of Los Angeles requires its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to certain exemptions as required by law. New hires working at Heart of Los Angeles must be fully vaccinated no later than 60 days after hire and submit to additional masking and social distancing requirements. Employees must also receive the COVID-booster shot within 10 days after becoming eligible for it. Please contact HOLA’s Human Resources Department for a copy of the vaccination policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The building environment does not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas. Outdoor work is expected in some cases.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

HOLA is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.