Career & Education Coach

Reports To: Director of Career Pathways

Full-Time Position

Summary

Works Wonders® is an evidence supported career development and employment engagement program that provides 10-12 hours of skills-based training, 12 weeks of one-on-one career coaching, and paid work-based learning opportunities to youth and young adults who have been involved in the child welfare/juvenile justice system, or experienced housing instability/homelessness. The primary purpose of Works Wonders® is to prepare young people to successfully transition to the adult world of work by actively engaging them in career readiness activities, identifying and minimizing barriers to success, and by building team work, active listening, and conflict resolution skills.

The Career & Education Coach facilitates person-centered career planning, coaching program participants through the process of executing a Career & Education Plan that will allow them to develop essential workplace skills, participate in paid internship and career exploration opportunities, connect to educational/training and/or employment that will further their career goals, and access the wrap-around supportive services needed to enable their success.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Program Director to ensure achievement of outcomes and the overall goals of the program are obtained.
• Meet with prospective program participants to evaluate career interests and goals, assess eligibility, and complete the program enrollment process.
• Master and Facilitate group training sessions through the use of the Works Wonders® curriculum, in collaboration with a trained Youth Leader.
• Collaborate with Program Director to determine and evaluate curriculum delivery and classroom management to ensure the needs of the participants are met.
• Meet one-on-one with program participants every week to provide individualized career coaching.
• Assist program participants with the development of their resume and cover letter, preparation for interviews, follow-up steps related to their career goals, and in addressing potential barriers to progress.
• Work with the Program Director to identify and connect program participants to paid job shadowing, informational interviews, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Cultivate employer partnerships based on the interests and locations of participants throughout the state.
• Guide program participants through the process of assessing their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Provide opportunities for self-reflection and coaching around the development of critical workplace soft skills, self-advocacy skills, and growth mindset/self-determination.
• Connect program participants to educational and training opportunities that will help them further their career aspirations, such as credential and certificate programs, GED, apprenticeship models, or college programs.
• Assist program participants in applying for, obtaining, and maintaining employment in entry-level job opportunities that with help further their career aspirations.
• Work closely with providers and/or caregivers to provide communication and elicit feedback about participant’s progress toward completion of their goals.
• Meet regularly with participants in locations that are most convenient for them and travel to meet with employer partners within the community, on a consistent basis.
• Complete and maintain timely and accurate program participant records, both in paper file and required databases.
• Participate in Foster Forward agency events.
• Collaborate with Foster Forward team members to ensure that every youth and young adult served receives high quality services and support.
  
  

Attributes & Competencies

• Enjoys working with transitional age youth (14-26 years old)
• Skilled at youth engagement
• Enjoys facilitating group trainings
• Patient
• Invested in own professional development, desire to learn and grow
• Resilient
• Self-starter
• Organized
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Works well as an individual and as a part of a team
• Ability to be flexible in meeting client needs while also maintaining appropriate boundaries
  
  

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or related experience; ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and/or weekends to accommodate participant schedules; driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to ensure meetings happen where most convenient for the client; BCI and fingerprint; proficient in Microsoft Office suite; experienced with client management databases

Employee Benefits

The employee benefits associated with this position are two weeks of paid vacation, 14 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 12 sick days per calendar year, medical and dental insurance, and a 3% matched 401K retirement account.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to bernadette.tavares@fosterforward.net by Friday, 6/21/24.