College Coach

HeartShare is looking forCoaches

Coaches are full-time, trained professionals who are matched with 15-20 young people ages 14 and older in foster care. Coaches meet young people “where they are” and build a trusting relationship with them using an authentic, trauma-informed, strength-based approach. In addition to providing weekly emotional support, Coaches help young people make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. When a young person is unsure of their goals/interests, Coaches help them explore and expose them to potential opportunities. They then help young people connect to schools, programs, and opportunities in line with their goals/interests, persist in those settings, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey. Coaches celebrate young people’s progress; if something doesn’t work out, Coaches help young people reflect and connect to the next opportunity.

Coaches will receive training in youth engagement, coaching, and how to navigate the educational, career, and housing systems and resources in NYC. They also have access to an array of voluntary professional development supports, including 1:1 technical assistance and membership to a learning community with Coaches from other foster care agencies.

We respectfully ask a minimum 1-2-year commitment to this role, given the importance of young people having consistent, caring adults in their lives, and the significant investment our team will make into supporting and developing Coaches.

The College Coach is a critical position within HSVS’ American Dream Coaching Program. The Coach will provide quality, data-driven, individualized educational, employment, and housing support to HS graduates and youth in college currently or formerly in foster care. The Coach will work with the case planning team, students, families, and school staff to connect students with the services they need to raise their level of educational achievement, secure employment, prepare for housing if eligible, and ensure that key transitions receive proper attention.

The College Coach will give particular focus to helping their youth achieve the best possible educational, employment, and housing outcomes. The Coach will be responsible for following the Fair Futures Goals and Steps model, Bottom Line curriculum resources, monitoring data, using data to help inform interventions, and inputting data into HSVS’ Fair Futures Platform.

The College Coach will be expected to create a calm, trauma-informed environment, and use a non-judgmental, strengths-based, and collaborative approach to working with the youth. The College Coach will report directly to the Director of Youth Development.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions of Position:

• Participates in in-service trainings and on-site workshops as required for professional growth and development. Attends external trainings and workshops at direction of management.
• Represents the organization both within and outside of the work environment in a manner that promotes the mission, vision and values of the agency. Personally, adheres to organizational mission, vision and values, in addition to all other agency policies and procedures.
• Manage a caseload of 15-20 students in foster care in college and provide compassionate, supportive, and trauma-informed coaching.
• Conduct in-person\face to face weekly check-ins with all Scholars on their caseload at the agency, at the Scholars’ residence, school, or in the community.
• Implement the Fair Futures goals and steps model, and bottom line resources in monthly check-ins, and coaching with high school youth.
• Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes.
• Entering data and progress notes on the Fair Futures Platform and Connections by assigned deadlines.
• Participate and engage in weekly, monthly, and ongoing virtual and in-person agency-wide, Youth Development, and Education Team, ACS, Fair Futures, CUNY, FCSI, Advocates for Children, College Access and College Success, professional development, and DOE related meetings, training, events, programs, and workshops.
• Maintaining relationships with school staff, and external stakeholders such as ACS, Fair Futures Coalition, CUNY, Dorm Project, Bottom Line, and etc.
• Support youth with applying to scholarships, funding, employment, educational, and housing opportunities as needed.
• Plan and implement in-person workshops, events, and activities for youth throughout the year.
• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
• Assess the fit between the young person and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency (HSE) program, if needed.
• Visit the young person’s school/program and build relationships with school staff, review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress towards graduation/HSE obtainment,
• Ensure young people are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful, such as tutoring, individualized educational plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, or other special accommodations.
• Expose students to post-secondary pathways, such college and/or accredited vocational programs, starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible).
• Assist students with post-secondary planning, along with the guidance counselors and/or College Specialists and Career Development Specialists.
• Connect the student to the College Specialist to apply to colleges, opportunity programs, and all forms of financial aid, funding, and scholarships.
• Provide college persistence coaching, including ensuring students are receiving all of the financial and academic supports they need to succeed each semester.
• Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate; Collaborate with all relevant partners, such as Case Planners, guidance counselors, Specialists, Tutors, Teachers, family members, and caregivers.
• Assist young people in obtaining working papers, if needed.
• Conduct career exploration activities with young people.
• Assist ALL young people in selecting at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
• Work with the young person and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways based on the young person’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans.
• Connect the young person to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications.
• Connect young people, as needed, to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or the Mentored Internship Program).
• Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in any external program by checking in with them regularly.
• Ensure that the young person coordinates with a Housing Specialist (and/or Case Planner, if the agency does not have a Housing Specialist) to ensure that all young people’s housing applications are submitted as early as possible (by age 19 if their goals is to age out).
• Accompany the young person to visit supportive housing residences, when needed.;Help young people move in and obtain furniture.
• Help young people maintain their housing by providing independent living and life skills supports such as budgeting, obtaining a bank account, and advocating with landlords, if needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from four year college or equivalent. Master's degree or equivalent preferred
• 2+ years working with youth or with the NYC DOE in an instructional, administration, or advocacy-related position
• Full-time-35-40 hours per week with flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Experience working with students and families in foster care is strongly preferred.
• Ability to navigate complex educational issues, be resourceful, and work independently.
• Experience required with special education, education team meetings, and student advocacy.
• Experience required with leading workshops and trainings.
• Flexibility with traveling to the five boroughs.
• Experience preferred in college access and college success programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must.
• Computer Skills - excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and databases including Microsoft Access.
• Operating Skills - flexibility in working on assignments, stays on task and meets deadlines, strong analytical skills, creative and critical thinker, and ability to stay organized. Experience and confidence with working with data, and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Personal & Interpersonal Skills - self-motivated, team player, able to relate with teens and young adults, able to manage stress, and able to see value in and promote diversity in others. Passionate about delivering friendly, flexible, compassionate, and effective services to youth in foster care. Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners. Engaging public speaker. Ability to manage events and workshops.

Benefits:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment;
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days and holidays;
• 403(B) retirement plan with employer contribution;
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit);
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events;
• Tuition Assistance Program;
• Professional Development opportunities;
• Gympass Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount;
• BJs Membership discount;
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more.