LIFE SKILLS COACH
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Family Life Program Manager
LOCATION: Philadelphia
JOB SUMMARY
The Life Skills Coach provides home and community life skills education to youth, ages 12-21, and their caregivers. The life Skills Coach assesses the needs of assigned youth related to life skills via program tools and procedures including the Casey Life Skills Assessment (CLSA). The coach will also develop and implement plans with measurable goals and objectives based on the CLSA and other tools, with priority goals in all aspects of life skills. The Life Skills Coach will organize and conduct group life skills training and workshops for youth. Regular travel required; home and community visits may be necessary to sufficiently engage youth and complete job tasks. Requires flexible schedule, as needed, to accommodate family and children’s schedules.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field, but not limited to sociology, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, education, divinity or public health administration.
EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years or more experience working in social service, education, health care or related.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Familiarity with the dynamics of diverse populations in low income areas and being culturally sensitive to the needs and diversities of multi-cultural communities.
- Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to set priorities in critical situations.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Practices good customer service skills in all working relationships with strong interpersonal skills, respectful and courteous nature
- Knowledge of social services, child welfare and family systems services
- Must be accurate and detailed oriented.
- Ability to maintain a high degree of discretion dealing with confidential information.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid driver’s license and ability to use own vehicle when other means of transportation is not available. Must be free from any communicable/infectious diseases. Provide a valid PA child abuse clearance, FBI check and Criminal Background Check.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Completes Casey Life Skills Assessment for all youth 12 years old and up, and completes and track board extensions for older transitioning youth.
- Submits and tracks referrals to Achieving Independence Center.
- Develops goals and objectives prioritizing goals in daily living skills, self-care skills, relationship and communication skills, housing and money management, work and study skills, and career and education planning.
- Utilizes a strengths-based resiliency model of practice, using the program tools and relationship to identify and build on the youth’s strengths.
- Assists with resolving conflicts, community integration; assist individuals with interaction in community activities of their choice.
- Coordinates application and delivery for concrete goods and needs, and transports youth and families, as necessary.
- Teaches Relationship Building Skills, Self-management (in Health and Behavior Management, Problem Solving Skills and how to Manage Money).
- Engages resource parents and birth parents in youth’s life skills goals and lessons to build their commitment and ability to enhance and facilitate the life skills taught, supporting family plan efforts toward reunification and permanency.
- Facilitates individual and group sessions with youth to teach and enhance life skills and self-esteem, using homework assignments to promote active practice of life skills and day to day learning, and accompanies and assists youth on life skills outings, to the bank, on the bus, job interviews, and in basic living skills.
- Works in collaboration with the CUA case manager and all other team members, and participates in case with other team members.
- Maintains documentation of all client sessions and contacts in program database, with strict adherence to specified timelines.
- Follows agency protocol when addressing any crisis situation with youth including proper incident reporting.
COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Good Judgement
- Planning & Organizing
- Communication
- Creative Influencing/Negotiation Skills
