Career Coach

Location: New York

About the Organization:

The Police Athletic League (or PAL) is New York City’s largest independent youth development organization. We operate diverse programs from Head Start, Day Car and Universal Pre-K programs; to elementary and middle school after-school programs, summer day camps and summer Play streets. We run evening teen centers and college readiness programs, as well as youth employment and juvenile justice programs. In its over a century of service, PAL is continuing its evolution and remains a vibrant and vital New York City institution.

Position Summary The Career Coach is responsible for providing direct support, guidance, and supervision to youth participating in PAL’s Youth Employment programs. The Career Coach will facilitate workforce development, career readiness, educational, leadership, and enrichment activities designed to help adolescents develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in the workplace and pursue their educational and career goals.

The Career Coach will support program operations at assigned PAL Centers and/or within an assigned borough and may be required to travel throughout the five boroughs with program participants. The position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, local and out-of-state trips, and special events.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, engaging, and comfortable working directly with adolescents. The Career Coach must demonstrate strong communication, critical thinking, documentation, and relationship-building skills and be committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Program Implementation:
Plan and implement Youth Employment programming at assigned PAL Centers and/or within an assigned borough, including career readiness, job readiness, educational, leadership, and enrichment activities.

Youth Engagement and Support:
Provide direct service to participants through outreach, instruction, mentoring, coaching, and individualized guidance.

Recruitment and Enrollment:
Support the recruitment, orientation, registration, and onboarding of participants to ensure programs maintain appropriate enrollment levels.

Career Readiness:
Facilitate workshops and activities that strengthen participants’ workplace readiness, including communication, professionalism, goal setting, interviewing, resume development, workplace expectations, and other career-related skills.

Participant Development:
Monitor and evaluate participant engagement, performance, progress, and achievement using Youth Employment Department tools and established program practices.

Case Management and Documentation:
Maintain accurate, complete, and organized participant records, including attendance, weekly schedules, student folders, case notes, progress reports, and other required documentation.

Data and Compliance:
Collect, enter, and maintain program and participant data in accordance with funding requirements, contractual obligations, and PAL’s internal systems and procedures.

Program Quality and Improvement:
Identify opportunities to strengthen programming and participant outcomes and make recommendations to improve program effectiveness and engagement.

Stakeholder Communication:
Maintain consistent and professional communication with participants, families, PAL staff, community partners, schools, employers, and other relevant stakeholders.

Team

Collaboration:

Work collaboratively with Youth Employment staff and other PAL departments to implement programs, initiatives, events, and organizational priorities.

Professional Development:
Participate in required staff meetings, professional development, training sessions, and program improvement activities.

Industry Knowledge:
Remain current on workforce development practices, youth employment trends, career readiness strategies, and resources that support adolescent and young adult career development.

Events and Travel:
Participate in program trips, special events, workshops, and other activities, including local and occasional out-of-state travel with participants. Some evening and weekend availability may be…