Careers

ROOTED IN OAKLAND, YOUTH ALIVE! BREAKS THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND UPLIFTS A THRIVING

COMMUNITY OF LEADERS THROUGH PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, HEALING AND ADVOCACY.

Job Description: Youth ALIVE! seeks a dedicated School-Based Intervention Specialist

(Life Coach) to support the Alameda County Truancy Grant Partnership by working directly

with high school students experiencing chronic absenteeism. This role, as a Life Coach,

focuses on case management, attendance intervention, family engagement, and student

advocacy to support student success. The Life coach will work closely with school

administrators, probation officers, and community organizations to improve school attendance

and educational outcomes for youth at risk of academic disengagement. This role provides an

opportunity to positively impact the lives of individuals facing violence, gang exposure, and

trauma in the Oakland community, aligning with Youth ALIVE! 's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Student Support & Case Management

● Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify students barriers to attendance

(academic struggles, family challenges, transportation, legal issues, or safety concerns).

● Develop individualized attendance plans (Life Maps) addressing educational, social, and

legal needs.

● Provide intensive case management, mentorship, and advocacy to students struggling

with truancy.

● Maintain consistent follow-ups with students, families, and service providers through

on-campus engagement, home visits, and phone check-ins.

● Utilize school, district, and community resources to connect students with needed

services.

School Collaboration & Attendance Intervention

● Serve as a liaison between students, school staff, and community partners to improve

attendance and engagement.

● Participate in CARE Team, COST Team, and School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

meetings to support student success.

● Advocate for educational accommodations and re-engagement strategies for students

returning to school after prolonged absences.

● Coordinate and facilitate workshops or peer support groups focused on attendance,

academic success, and life skills.

Family & Community Engagement

● Engage families and caregivers to strengthen home-school connections and encourage

student participation.

● Provide families with resources and referrals for academic support, counseling, legal

assistance, and social services.

● Collaborate with Alameda County Probation, social workers, and other intervention

programs to coordinate wraparound support for students.

Transportation & Crisis Support

● Provide transportation to school, court dates, mentorship sessions, or other critical

appointments when necessary.

● Ensure students safety and well-being during transport.

● Assist students in navigating crises, offering de-escalation strategies and emotional

support.

Skills and Qualifications include:

● Experience working with youth and young adults in high-risk environments

●Knowledge of urban youth issues, specifically community violence

● Must have strong communication and organizational skills, and possess the ability to

communicate effectively with staff members, clients, partner organizations and the public

● Ability to complete detailed documentation, stay informed of current and updated

documentation practices, and follow the established systems in place

● Ability to understand and apply trauma-informed care and evidence-based interventions

● Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including school personnel,

legal professionals, and community organizations

● 2 years case management experience preferred

● Bilingual skills are a plus

● Familiarity with Oakland neighborhoods is strongly preferred

● Punctual and extremely reliable

● Highly organized and detail-oriented

● Must possess basic computer skills and ability to learn Microsoft Office, Google Suite,

and other Systems and Platforms as needed

● Must be able to present self and program in a professional manner

● Ability to work in stressful situations

● Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team

● High School Diploma or GED required

● Must have reliable car and DMV clearance

Youth ALIVE! is proud to offer a generous total compensation package to include: (Option of)

100% premium paid Medical with Chiro & Acupuncture, Dental, Vision, LTD and Life

Insurance, 403(b) with 5% employer contribution (after 2 consecutive years of employment), up

$1200.00 annually for education reimbursement (after 2 years of employment), $500.00 annual

professional development funds, 18 paid holidays including office closure 4 days between

Christmas and New Year's Day, 120 hours paid vacation 1st thru 5th year of employment

(increasing to 160 hours at 6 years of employment), 10 days paid sick leave at start of each

year, 4-weeks Paid Sabbatical Leave after 5-years /8-weeks Paid Sabbatical Leave after 10-

years of employment, and more!

Applicants with personal experience in overcoming violence, violence-related injuries and/or the

criminal justice system are encouraged to apply.

Youth ALIVE! celebrates diversity in all its forms. Youth ALIVE! is an equal opportunity

employer. Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.90 - $30.50 per hour

Schedule:

● 8 hour shift

● Day shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

● Do you have a valid driver's license, good driving record, and have a reliable vehicle that

you can use for work?

● Are you comfortable transporting clients to and from appointments that include court

dates, school, health appointments, and general mentorship?

Experience:

● Working with at risk youth (ages 12- 24): 1 year (Preferred)

● Case management: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

● Oakland, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

 

To APPLY: We would love to have all interested applicants send their resumes to hr@youthalive.org.

 

The Bilingual Intervention Specialist will provide peer-based field visits and intensive follow-up services to individuals who have been hospitalized for violent injuries or involved in the criminal justice system. Some work is performed in an office environment; but a great deal of work is performed in the community and requires visits to patients entering the hospital as a result of a violent crime. Because of the nature of this work, strong connections to the Oakland community and/or fluency in Spanish are highly valued.

We offer summer, semester and year-long internships for Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Public Policy/Administration (MPP/MPA), medical (MD) students and residents, as well others in related disciplines. For more information, contact Gabriel Garcia at ggarcia@youthalive.org.

The HomeTown Hero program is a specialized initiative by YOUTH ALIVE! designed to develop leadership among participants who have been directly or indirectly impacted by violence. The program offers these individuals a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in violence prevention, case management, and community support, equipping them with the skills necessary to assist others affected by community violence. While all participants impacted by violence are welcome, those who have successfully completed case management services will be prioritized for participation.

Program Goals and Vision

The HomeTown Hero program is focused on cultivating future leaders from within Oakland’s most impacted communities. These participants, having personal experience with the effects of violence, are in a unique position to understand and support their peers. By maintaining a connection with the supportive environment at YOUTH ALIVE!, participants can continue their own development while giving back to their communities.

This initiative builds on the success of YOUTH ALIVE!’s Ambassador Program, which began in 2018 and led to several participants transitioning into full-time roles within the organization. The HomeTown Hero program aims to replicate this success by creating a structured path for participants to grow into leadership positions, particularly in intervention services.

Program Structure and Participation

The HomeTown Hero program offers part-time positions (20 hours per week) where participants work alongside experienced intervention specialists. Their activities include:

Community Learning Engagements: Participants attend home visits, school meetings, and Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) engagements, learning how to support others while gaining valuable experience in case management.

Participant Support: Each HomeTown Hero fellow manages a small caseload of 1-3 Tier II participants, assisting them in navigating challenges related to community violence. They receive mentorship from intervention specialists, helping them apply their knowledge and develop their skills.

Violence Prevention and Advocacy: The program also provides opportunities for participants to engage in public speaking and advocacy, share their experiences, and support violence prevention initiatives.

Participation in the program is open to individuals who meet specific criteria, including being an Oakland native and impacted by community violence. Candidates must submit a resume, participate in two interviews, and pass a reference check. Reliable transportation is required for program activities. Those who have successfully completed YOUTH ALIVE! case management services will be given priority in the selection process.

Curriculum Project and Skills Development

One key component of the HomeTown Hero program is a curriculum project that each participant will complete during their fellowship. This project is tailored to the unique skills that the participant brings to the program, recognizing that each fellow already possesses valuable abilities that can be applied in the field of violence prevention.

We believe that participants enter the program with a skill set that is not only useful but essential in supporting the mission of violence prevention. The curriculum project is designed to immerse the fellow in a project that aligns with their strengths—whether creative, organizational, or community-focused—and allow them to showcase their work to the broader community.

At the end of the fellowship, participants will present their project, allowing them to demonstrate how their skills have developed and contributed to the community’s well-being.

Program Objectives

The HomeTown Hero program is centered around several key objectives:

1. Building Leadership: By providing participants with real-world experience in case management and violence prevention, the program aims to develop a pipeline of future intervention specialists who are deeply connected to their community.

2. Hands-On Learning: Participants gain valuable experience by working with case managers and intervention specialists, applying their knowledge through peer-to-peer education and participant support.

3. Sustained Engagement: The program enables YOUTH ALIVE! to maintain relationships with participants beyond their initial case management, providing ongoing support as they transition into leadership roles.

4. Program Feedback and Improvement: Participants are encouraged to offer feedback on their experiences, helping YOUTH ALIVE! continuously improve its violence prevention and community support programs.

Evaluation and Impact

The success of the HomeTown Hero program is evaluated based on each fellow’s ability to meet project goals, effectively support participants, and demonstrate personal and professional growth throughout their time in the program. Fellows receive regular feedback from mentors and supervisors, which allows them to reflect on their experiences and make meaningful contributions to the program supervisors, which allows them to reflect on their experiences and make meaningful contributions to the program.

The first HomeTown Hero fellow, Edwin Galvan, exemplified the program’s success. His journey demonstrated how structured mentorship and hands-on experience can empower young leaders to take active roles in case management and violence prevention. Edwin made significant contributions, including supporting intervention specialists with court advocacy and producing impactful videos showcasing the effectiveness of YOUTH ALIVE!’s services. One of these videos was featured at the HAVI Conference, a national conference, where it received widespread praise and national feedback. In addition to his media work, Edwin also organized community events, further demonstrating the powerful role that participants can play in making a difference through the HomeTown Hero program. He is now pursuing certification as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) to further support the Oakland community,

positioning himself for opportunities in violence prevention and other first responder roles.

Program Participation Preference

Priority will be given to individuals who have completed Youth ALIVE! programs (such as TNT, CIC, and Pathways) or have received services from Youth ALIVE! (including Counseling, Violence Interruption, KWP, and Advocacy for Change). Participants must be at least 18 years old. Pay is $26.92 per hour.

Please use the link below to apply.

The application will ask you to upload your resume and provide short answers to a few questions.

Apply Here