Life and Career Coach - Lowell, United States - Old Colony YMCA

Description

Job Description

Job Functions:

1. PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Helping youth build a sense of identity through the process of self-exploration in areas such as: mental health, self-esteem, achievement, and interpersonal relationships.
• Helping youth build a sense of self through the lens of race, ethnicity and social status, as well as considering possible discrimination they may face.
• Supporting youth with positive relationship development formation.
• Providing skill development that leads to self-sufficiency
• Providing opportunities for vocational exploration and possibilities for civic engagement
• Providing supportive housing and resources.
• Working closely with the educational provider to determine educational and career goals.
• Providing daily scheduling support to youth with attainment who are in post-secondary or independent study tracks.
• Using expertise in labor market, employment placement and partnership management to secure internships and employment opportunities for youth.
• Building strong community partnerships to enhance opportunities for youth to explore interests and talents (arts, recreation, volunteer opportunities)
• Supporting youth in vocational programming.
• Coordinate program staff efforts to connect youth to resources, including transportation.
• Utilize Empower Your Future and other life skills curricula and training
• Assess youth life skills functioning and level of self-sufficiency
• Conduct groups on nutrition, budgeting, cooking and social interaction.
• Work with youth and treatment team to determine youth's goals, daily itinerary and progress towards independence.
• Assist youth and partners to create individualized life plans for each youth.
• Provide support to youth as they transition to independent living opportunities.

1. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

NONE

1. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to all fiscal policies and procedures such as petty cash, purchase orders, and vouchers.
• Maintains petty cash, gift cards, bus passes, etc. in a secure environment.

1. FACILITY/HOUSEKEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain upkeep and cleanliness and ensure security of the Old Colony Y Social Services assigned site.
• Maintain program equipment (i.e. cell phones, computers, recreational equipment, tools, supplies etc.).

1. INTERDIVISIONAL/COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Offer support in crisis situations to all Social Services Programs.
• Make presentations to outside community groups, schools, colleges and agencies enhancing collaboration.
• Develop own professional goals through self-evaluation and seeking out opportunities for growth through trainings, workshops, classes, webinars, etc.

Requirements

JOB SUMMARY:

The Life and Career Coach has the primary responsibility to outreach and engage youth and staff to implement life skills and employment programming. He/she will develop and instruct employment programming daily. The Life and Career Coach will be a member of and participate in all Team meetings and Treatment Meetings. He/she will reflect and display the values of Character Development which are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES - LEADER

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y's values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor Degree highly preferred in related field of study with minimum of three years experience in career development
• Valid driver's license and car insurance by date of hire is preferred
• Familiarity with the community
• Knowledge of gang culture in general
• Familiarity with the ethnic culture of the target population
• Knowledge of local agencies' programs and services (school, social services, law enforcement, courts/corrections), local units of government, and grassroots organizations
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills and work effectively with agency staff and service providers and with participants and their family members
• Work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as necessary
• Clearly communicate ideas in both written and verbal form
• Understand and relate to the needs of project participants of diverse ethnic, cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Work effectively with populations most at-risk to engage and/or become victims of violence
• Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records, and generate reports
• Network effectively with various types of organizations, including government agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, social service agencies, courts/probation/DYS/corrections, and grassroots organizations
• Work effectively with community residents, diverse population groups, and youth
• Prioritize tasks and work independently in the absence of supervision
• Ability to operate power tools and equipment
• Ability to lift up to twenty pounds