Academic & Career Coordinator

Position Summary:
Destiny Arts Center is an Oakland-based arts organization. We use movement (dance and martial arts) music and visual art to help young people figure out who they are and where theyre going. This role bridges that work and the concrete work of graduation requirements college applications financial aid job readiness and family advocacy.

You wont be in a school or a county office. Youll be in a building where someone is rehearsing down the hall where a young person who struggled in an IEP meeting last week is leading a dance cipher this week. That environment changes how young people show up and what becomes possible.

The role centers on high school students (ages 1318) and young adults (ages 1824): the ones working toward graduation navigating college or trade programs or trying to get a stable footing in the workforce. Youll also provide lighter support and referrals for younger students (ages 5-12) and stay connected to families throughout.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:
Academic Success & Postsecondary Navigation (Ages 1324)
This is the core of the job. Youre the primary advisor for students and young adults moving through high school completion and whatever comes after.

• Walk students through California A-G requirements credit recovery and graduation pathways
• Support college applications across community colleges UC CSU and private institutions
• Help young adults finish GEDs or re-enroll after time away from school
• Own the financial aid process: FAFSA Cal Grant Dream Act WIOA/WIA workforce grants
• Provide light academic mentorship for younger students; support families navigating IEP processes

• Develop and lead workshops on resumes LinkedIn interviews and navigating workplace dynamics
• Connect participants to internships job shadows apprenticeships and vocational programs
• Handle the administrative side of youth employment: work permits labor law basics I-9s W-4s
• Support Destiny Arts Centers own youth staff and camp counselors through hiring and onboarding

Families need someone who knows the systems and will show up with them not just point them somewhere.

• Advocate alongside parents and caregivers in institutional meetings; IEP financial aid school-based
• Host workshops that help families understand what theyre entitled to and how to ask for it
• Stay connected to young people and families dealing with housing instability system involvement or other real barriers

The behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything accountable.

• Maintain accurate case notes and records tied to each students individual goals
• Pull data and write narratives for grant reports
• Coordinate with teaching artists and outside partners so students arent falling through cracks between programs

• Bachelors degree in Education Social Work Counseling or related field or the experience that got you there without the degree
• At least 2 years of working directly with young people in youth development case management school counseling or a related setting
• Real working knowledge of California A-G requirements college and financial aid systems and IEP processes
• Comfortable facilitating groups and running workshops
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred; culturally responsive in how you communicate