College and Career Access Specialist [032]

The rate of pay for this position is $21.00 an hour. The hours are 9:00am until 5:30pm. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

This position is based at our downtown location at 314 SW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205. Staff start each day on site and launch into the community to meet with youth, returning to this location or other New Avenues sites between meetings and at the end of the day.

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient College and Career Access Specialist to join our Avenues to College team.

As a College and Career Access Specialist you'll be a consistent and intentional guide for young people navigating difficult paths. Your unique perspective, experience, and resilience will foster opportunity and empower youth to be more prepared and resourced to move through challenging moments and reach their unique goals.

Join New Avenues and...

Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
Generous holiday, personal, and paid time off (PTO) allowances to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time in year one with an additional week added in year two.
Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

* Who You Are:

* Education-Focused: You are a college graduate who is knowledgeable of college systems, language, resources, and financial aid.

Compassionate Listener: You offer empathy without judgment, creating a safe space for young people to share their stories and struggles.
Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your commitments to young people.
Academic Mentor: You guide youth on their educational journey through providing support, resources, and can help youth skill-build so they can be successful in college and their careers.
Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
Equity: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning.

What You'll Do:

Be a Mentor and Guide: Build genuine connections with youth, share relevant and intentional experiences to instill confidence and build trust.
Empower Through Advocacy: Help young people navigate complex systems, access resources, collaborate and coordinate with other providers, and make informed decisions about their own college and career journey.
Support Growth and Learning: Lead and participate in group lectures and activities, recreational activities, and individual support meetings that foster connection and personal development.
Document the Journey: Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring that our programs have the data they need to thrive and continue serving those who need it most.
Skill-Building: This position will support youth in skill-building around college and career goals, finances and budgeting, and housing support.
* Fostering meaningful connections: In this role, you will assist college students in navigating community resources and in cultivating professional and peer relationships.

* Engaging: This position will engage youth through facilitated discussions on leadership skills, study strategies, and crisis prevention.

* Impactful: In this role, you will help youth reach their self-identified goals in higher education. You will see the impacts you have made when they reach their goals.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field

* At least 2 years' experience working with youth who face multiple barriers.

* Strong facilitation skills required

* Working knowledge of college access resources for youth, ideally for youth in foster care

* Case management experience with youth preferred

* Valid driver's license, access to an automobile, and active auto insurance

Any candidate deemed viable for this position based on resources and resume submission will be contacted to participate in a screen interview to discuss interest and job compatibility. Of those screened, advancing candidates will be asked to participate in a subsequent interview or interviews to evaluate job qualifications and interest further. From this process, a hiring selection will be made. New Avenues for Youth is an equal opportunity employer.

This position requires a high level of mobility, meaning the successful candidate must be able to swiftly move and adapt to different situations and tasks. This may or may not also include different agency locations or locations within the community being served. A person in this position must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions of this job including any physical requirements associated with this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. If the position may require the use of any personal protective equipment, New Avenues will have such equipment on hand for the employee's use.

Apply Today:

If you're ready to use your desire to ignite hope and inspire change, we encourage you to apply today by simply clicking on the 'Apply for Job' button at the bottom of this screen and attach your resume and cover letter.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.