Life Skills Coach - 3rd Ave Women's Shelter

Life Skills Coach - 3rd Ave Women's Shelter

Department: Transitional Living - DHS Women's Shelter

Work Location: 3rd Avenue Women’s Shelter, 968 3rd Ave., Brooklyn NY, 11232

Reports To: Assistant Program Director

Hours: Full Time - 35 hours per week - Monday-Friday from 12:00pm - 8:00pm

Salary Range: $44,000 - $44,000

Program

Description:

Brooklyn Community Services is one of Brooklyn’s first and largest non-sectarian social services agencies. BCS, which presently serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, is committed to a broad and diverse range of services including education and child care; services to strengthen families; and services to foster self-sufficiency for adults. Third Avenue is a NYC DHS transitional shelter program designed to provide employment assistance and permanent housing for young women ages 18 - 25 years old.

The program is located in Sunset Park Brooklyn, NY.

Position Summary: A Life Skills Coach helps individuals develop practical abilities (like money management, communication, goal-setting) and overcome obstacles to achieve personal & professional goals, acting as a motivator, accountability partner, and guide through life changes, using tools like action planning and self‑reflection to foster self‑empowerment and success. They provide support and techniques for emotional regulation, career transitions, work‑life balance, and building confidence, empowering clients to reach their full potential.

• Work directly with residents to enhance daily living skills (budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking meals independently, apartment organization/maintenance, entitlement support, personal hygiene, safe public transport, scheduling/attending appointments on time, etc.)
• Meet with all assigned clients a minimum of once per week and/or as instructed by Program Director
• Facilitate weekly groups to assist residents with acclimating to independent living (medication management, substance abuse education, anger management, budgeting, employment preparation, cooking skills group, discount shopping/couponing, game night, etc.)
• Coordinate client social events and create monthly calendar
• Work collaboratively with case managers to aid consumers with achieving all goals identified in their Individualized Treatment Plan
• Facilitate individual counseling sessions as applicable (mental health/substance abuse support, ADL skills development, stress management, etc.) and document all sessions in progress notes within 24 hours
• Provide crisis intervention services and complete incident reports per DOHMH standards
• Provide case management coverage when program vacancies arise
• Escort clients to appointments as instructed (medical, psychiatric, SSA, PA, ER, etc.)
• Assist residents navigating child welfare and criminal justice system (accompany to court, referrals to legal aid, etc.)
• Refer and connect residents to community resources (youth clubs, fitness centers, farmers market, etc.)
• Encourage tenants to participate in recreational events to increase socialization skills
• Work with team to ensure residents provide documentation for recertification of apartment units and collaborate with property management on repairs
• Collaborate with property management on tenant apartment needs and repairs
• Coordinate resident move‑ins and move‑outs
• Attend all meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, and case conferences as required
• Provide support to community residents and church social programs
• Complete all other tasks as assigned

• High School diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of two years of experience with homeless youth living in supported housing.
• Must undergo pre‑employment screenings such as OMH Criminal Background Check.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and technical skills to help young people progress toward their goals.
• Propensity and willingness to learn, persevere, and think outside the box.
• Ability to work from a strength‑based, trauma‑informed, youth development lens.
• Ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement.
• Ability to form collaborative, working relationships with parents/families, schools, and agency staff.
• Consistent and reliable.
• Values and promotes diversity.
• Belief that change is possible.
• Able to maintain healthy boundaries.
• Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.

• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear‑cut pathway.
• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision‑making.
• Ability to collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners.
• Ability to use trauma‑informed techniques.
• Knowledgeable about community resources and services.
• Requires direct face‑to‑face contact with consumers and the general public on an ongoing basis.

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.