Find & Apply For Career Counselor Jobs in Sonoma, California

Work Year:

Mid-August through mid-June (aligned with Sonoma Valley Unified School District academic calendar) Position Summary The Life Readiness Coordinator supports middle and high school students (Grades 7-12) in the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance program as they prepare for life after high school. Building on SVMA's long-term school-based mentoring model—where students are matched with a mentor in elementary school and remain paired through 12th grade—the Coordinator provides tailored guidance to empower mentees in career exploration, college planning, trade/vocational options, and essential life skills. The focus will be on connecting mentees with existing programming. Working directly with students, school counselors, mentors, families, and local community partners, the Coordinator creates equitable pathways to post-secondary success, fostering self-advocacy, confidence, and readiness for adulthood. Essential Duties & Responsibilities1. Student Support & Individualized Guidance Build strong, trusting, and culturally responsive relationships with mentees in grades 7-12. Deliver individualized post-secondary planning guidance, help students map out academic, career, and personal goals. Assist mentees in identifying personal strengths, values, interests, and transferable skills. Facilitate essential life-readiness skill development, including communication, self-advocacy, financial literacy, time management, and decision-making. Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and milestone achievements across program years. 2. College & Career Readiness Programming Design and coordinate experiential career exploration opportunities, including job shadowing, campus visits, guest speaker panels, and career fairs. Guide high school seniors and families through college access and financial aid processes, including FAFSA and CADAA (California Dream Act Application) support. Promote diverse post-secondary options, including 4-year universities, community colleges, vocational/trade technical certifications, apprenticeships, and direct workforce entry. Facilitate interactive workshops and student cohorts focused on resume building, interview practice, scholarship searches, and financial basics. Support students in creating and updating a personalized Post-Secondary Transition Plan before graduation. 3. Mentor Collaboration & Alignment Partner regularly with SVMA Mentor Facilitators to share relevant student progress and post-secondary goals with mentors. Equip volunteer mentors with tools, conversation prompts, and resources to effectively support their mentee's college and career planning. Ensure alignment between mentor-mentee activities and the student's individualized readiness goals. 4. School & Community Engagement Maintain strong collaborative working relationships with SVUSD school counselors, teachers, administrators, and student support staff. Connect mentees with existing campus-based resources, tutoring, clubs, extracurriculars, and leadership programs. Build and nurture partnerships with local employers, trade organizations, community colleges (e.g., Santa Rosa Junior College), universities, and youth-serving non-profits in Sonoma Valley. 5. Program Administration & Evaluation Maintain accurate and timely student records, participation tracking, and milestone outcome data using SVMA database software. Collect data to evaluate program effectiveness, student growth, and post-secondary outcome tracking post-graduation. Participate in staff meetings, SVMA team events, organizational training, and professional development related to youth development and college access. Qualifications & Experience1. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Youth Development, Education, Social Work, Counseling, or equivalent practical experience in youth guidance. Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working directly with middle school and/or high school youth, preferably in school-based or non-profit settings. Knowledge of college admissions, financial aid (FAFSA/CADAA), career technical education (CTE), and youth development principles. Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and small-group facilitation skills. Proven ability to work effectively across diverse socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. 2.

Preferred Qualifications Bilingual Proficiency:

Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish strongly preferred to effectively engage Sonoma Valley students and families. Familiarity with Sonoma Valley community resources, local workforce sectors, and regional educational institutions (e.g., SRJC, SSU). Experience supporting first-generation college students and underrepresented youth pathways.

Working Conditions & Requirements Work Environment:

Primary setting is within Sonoma Valley middle and high school campuses, with occasional meetings at the SVMA office.

Schedule:

Standard hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with periodic evening or weekend commitments for family workshops or student trips.

Clearances:

Ability to pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) / FBI background check (LiveScan) and provide Tuberculosis (TB) clearance as required for school-based personnel.

Transportation:

Valid California Driver's License and reliable transportation required for local campus visits, field trips, and partner meetings.

Pay:

$30.00 - $36.00 per hour Expected hours: 30.0 - 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off

Education:

Associate (Preferred)

Language:

Spanish (Required)

Location:

Sonoma, CA (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person