Education & Career Pathways Manager

A PLACE CALLED HOME (APCH)

Job Title: Education & Career Pathways Manager

Department: Programs

Reports to: Head of the Department

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt / 40 hours per week

Schedule Classification: Monday–Friday, 10:15 AM – 6:45 PM

About Us                                                                                                                                                                                   

A Place Called Home (APCH) is a dynamic nonprofit youth and community center located in South Central Los Angeles. APCH provides a wide range of programs and services to support the growth and well-being of young people and their families, including educational programs, counseling, case management, mentoring, music, dance and visual arts classes, as well as fitness and health and wellness opportunities. As youth participate in our programs, they discover interests and talents and develop a better sense of themselves and their place in the world around them. Our goal is to increase the likelihood that youth will stay in school, attain viable jobs, and become active community members capable of making positive changes in the world in which they live.

Summary

The Education & Career Pathways Manager leads the implementation and continuous improvement of APCH's integrated College and Career Pathways program, helping youth and young adult members successfully transition from high school to college, careers, and other post-secondary opportunities.

This role oversees a team of Education & Career Pathways Counselors and ensures members receive individualized guidance, goal-setting support, and post-secondary planning resources tailored to their unique aspirations. Whether pursuing a four-year university, community college, vocational training, skilled trades, apprenticeships, military service, entrepreneurship, or direct employment, every member is supported in building a clear and achievable pathway to success. The Manager also leads the implementation of a comprehensive case management model that emphasizes individualized planning, ongoing progress monitoring, and tiered interventions to ensure members receive the appropriate level of support throughout their journey.  

A key priority of this position is expanding APCH's vocational and career pathways while strengthening its established college access and success program. Working collaboratively across departments and community partners, the Manager develops systems, partnerships, and innovative programming that broaden post-secondary opportunities for youth while ensuring services align with APCH's youth development model, strategic priorities, and commitment to equitable access for every member.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission-driven leader with experience in youth development, post-secondary planning, staff supervision, and partnership development. They are passionate about creating opportunities that prepare young people for lifelong success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise, support, and provide ongoing coaching to a team of Pathways Counselors;
• Maintain a limited caseload of program participants, providing outreach, intake, assessment, goal-setting, individualized guidance, and ongoing coaching to support members’ academic, career, post-secondary, and supportive service goals;
• Design, implement, and continuously improve Pathways case management framework, including individualized goal-setting, progress monitoring, documentation standards, and a tiered intervention model to ensure members of all ages receive appropriate levels of support.
• Ensure all teen and young adult members are assigned to and consistently connected with a designated Pathways Counselor for individualized support and case management;
• Oversee and facilitate the implementation of APCH’s integrated post-secondary pathways model for elementary, middle, high school, and post-high school youth and ensure consistency and quality across pathways services;
• Support counselors in developing individualized member goals and post-secondary plans that align with each young person’s interests, strengths, and aspirations;
• Ensure pathways services support a wide range of post-secondary options including college, vocational training, workforce entry, certifications, entrepreneurship, military service, and other career pathways;
• Manage and oversee the organization’s internship program with the support of the Counselors;
• Translate program strategy and design into operational workflows, systems, schedules, and practices that can be effectively implemented on the program floor;
• Monitor pathways programming implementation for all age groups that APCH serves, and identify opportunities for improvement, alignment, and increased member engagement;
• Develop systems and protocols that ensure members receive consistent follow-up, accountability, and support throughout their  APCH experience and post-secondary planning process;
• Support the collection, tracking, and reporting of member participation, outcomes, and related data;
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Leadership on continuous improvement efforts related to pathways programming and youth outcomes;
• Work collaboratively with other program areas to ensure pathways programming is integrated across the member experience for all age groups, including elementary, middle, and high school youth;
• Coordinate workshops, events, field trips, career exploration opportunities, college visits, and related activities that support post-secondary readiness and exposure for all age groups that APCH serves;
• Build and maintain partnerships with colleges, training programs, employers, workforce development organizations, and community partners;
• Support pathways staff in crisis management, member engagement strategies, and family communication when needed;
• Ensure pathways programming reflects best practices in youth development, trauma-informed care, positive youth development, and culturally responsive engagement;
• Assist in the development and facilitation of trainings, resources, and tools for pathways staff and broader program teams;
• Participate in strategic planning and program development conversations related to pathways programming and member engagement;
• Prepare reports, updates, and presentations for leadership as needed;
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, events, and organizational activities as required;
• Provide active supervision of members and program participants during structured and unstructured program time to support safety, positive engagement, and a welcoming youth-centered environment;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To perform this important job successfully, the Education & Careers Pathways Manager will be an individual who exemplifies high personal and professional standards, is highly collaborative by nature, and enjoys supporting both staff and young people in achieving successful outcomes. The successful candidate will embrace APCH’s culture as a learning organization and will be committed to continuous growth, innovation, and improvement in service of the youth and families we serve.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, relationship-building, and organizational skills, as well as experience working with teens and young adults around college access, career readiness, youth development, case management, counseling, workforce development, or related fields. They must be able to build systems and structures that support consistency and accountability while maintaining a youth-centered and strengths-based approach.

The candidate must be comfortable working collaboratively across departments, balancing multiple priorities, and supporting staff in a dynamic and fast-paced youth development environment. Experience supervising staff, coordinating programs, and working with diverse youth populations is strongly preferred.

Technical and Performance Skills

• Strong youth engagement and relationship-building skills
• Staff supervision and coaching skills
• Case management and goal-setting experience
• Knowledge of post-secondary planning processes and pathways
• Familiarity with college access, workforce development, vocational training, and/or career readiness resources
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to develop and implement systems, workflows, and protocols
• Data tracking, reporting, and analysis skills
• Collaborative skills and ability to work effectively across teams and departments
• Facilitation and presentation skills
• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to work with diverse youth and families from a strengths-based and culturally responsive perspective
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and database systems
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and positive youth development practices preferred
• Ability to speak, write, and understand Spanish preferred

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience required
• Experience in non-profit youth development sector

Physical and Mental Demands

• Able to work in dynamic and high noise level environment typical of a youth center
• Able to sit for long periods, some standing/walking
• Continual use of hands for typing and clerical functions
• Long periods of computer usage requiring good vision and focus 
• Lift up to 25 pounds occasionally 
• Able to occasionally work nights and weekends

A Place Called Home provides equal opportunities to all employees and independent contractors without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including but not limited to pregnancy), gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, physical and/or mental disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, A Place Called Home complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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