Job Summary:

JCCA is seeking Youth Coaches to be responsible for supporting, advocating for, and assisting youth in foster care to achieve academic, career, housing, stability, and wellness goals.

Youth Coaches use a trauma-informed and strength-based approach with young people to build trusting, long-term relationships. The overall goal is to provide educational support, direction, and advocacy for youth in foster care, their parents, and their foster parents so that youth graduate high school, persist in a post-secondary setting, build progressive career development experiences in line with their interests and strengths, and develop academic/vocational plans that will help them navigate onto a living wage career pathway.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Build strong relationships with youth and provide ongoing social-emotional and educational support
• Re-engage disconnected youth and support re-enrollment in school or alternative educational programs
• Meet regularly with youth in community settings, including homes, schools, and service provider locations
• Support youth in developing individualized academic, career, and life goals and track progress using planning tools and dashboards
• Use Motivational Interviewing and strengths-based approaches to help youth take steps toward their goals
• Facilitate group sessions focused on life skills such as communication, relationships, and decision-making
• Collaborate with case planners, educators, caregivers, and community partners to coordinate services and supports
• Connect youth to schools, programs, housing, and community resources aligned with their goals
• Provide crisis support, problem-solving, and ongoing guidance to help youth navigate challenges and build resilience
• Conduct school visits, monitor attendance and academic progress, and advocate for youth needs
• Review transcripts, attendance, and IEPs to monitor progress and inform planning
• Support post-secondary planning, including college, vocational training, financial aid, and scholarships
• Provide college persistence coaching to support ongoing academic success and retention

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field with 3+ years of experience with at-risk youth;
• Knowledge and experience working with youth in child welfare, education, and/or youth development systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to conduct outreach and build partnerships with outside community agencies and other stakeholders;
• Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail;
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• NYS driver license required; NJ or CT driver license is acceptable

Skills Preferred:

• Experience with Motivational Interviewing techniques.
• Experience facilitating youth groups.
• Live experience in foster care.

Schedule:

Mon-Thurs -10AM -6PM; Fri - 9AM -5PM

Compensation: $30.22 per hour (55K annually) + differential for Spanish language skills