Career Coach; DYS

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, participate in all team and treatment meetings, and reflect the YMCA’s values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

• Help youth build a sense of identity through self‑exploration in areas such as mental health, self‑esteem, achievement and interpersonal relationships.
• Help youth build a sense of self through the lens of race, ethnicity and social status, considering potential discrimination.
• Support positive relationship development.
• Provide skill development that leads to self‑sufficiency.
• Provide opportunities for vocational exploration and civic engagement.
• Offer supportive housing and resources.
• Collaborate with educational providers to determine educational and career goals.
• Provide daily scheduling support to youth in post‑secondary or independent study tracks.
• Use expertise in labor market, employment placement and partnership management to secure internships and employment opportunities.
• Build strong community partnerships to enhance opportunities for youth to explore interests and talents (arts, recreation, volunteer opportunities).
• Coordinate program staff efforts to connect youth to resources, including transportation.
• Utilize the Empower Your Future curriculum and other life‑skills 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 goals, daily itinerary and progress toward independence.
• Assist youth and partners to create individualized life plans.
• Provide support as youth transition to independent living opportunities.

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

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

• Offer support in crisis situations to all Social Services Programs.
• Make presentations to outside community groups, schools, colleges and agencies to enhance collaboration.
• Develop own professional goals through self‑evaluation and training opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (preferred); at least 3 years of career‑development experience.
• Valid driver’s license and car insurance by date of hire (preferred).
• Familiarity with the community and local agencies’ programs and services.
• Knowledge of gang culture and the ethnic culture of the target population.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with agency staff, service providers, participants and families.
• Work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as necessary.
• Clearly communicate ideas in written and verbal form.
• Understand and relate to participants from diverse ethnic, cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Work effectively with populations most at risk of violence or victimization.
• Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records and generate reports.
• Network effectively with various organizations (government, law enforcement, schools, social services, courts, grassroots groups).
• Prioritize tasks and work independently without supervision.
• Ability to operate power tools and equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

• Seniority level:
  Entry level
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Other
• Industries:
  Non‑profit Organizations