EMPOWERMENT COACH – Foster Care (Hybrid)

*The Organization:*

Founded in 1846 to care for the children and widows of sailors in the Port of New York, Seamen’s Society was one of the first organizations, in the US, to care for abandoned children in family settings, rather than institutions. Today, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families is a comprehensive $23 million nonprofit organization that offers foster care and adoption services, mental and behavioral health care services, prevention/family stabilization services, a family day care program, domestic violence intervention and counseling services, health home care management services, education financial support, and a youth tutoring program. The agency’s nearly 200 professionals serve over 1,100 children and 800 families in New York City.

*Job Summary*:

The Seamen’s Society Academic Support Program provides a holistic approach to working with middle school and high school students in Foster Care. Aligned with the 7 Core Principles of the Fair Futures Initiative our program seeks to surround our youth with individualized and catered attention and support. The department aims to put youth on stable path by focusing on their success in middle school, high school, college and career development. The program remains with a youth through age 21, or until they are on a living wage career path.

Empowerment Coaches will work solely with High School students in our Foster Care program. The Coaches will build trusting relationships and provide social and emotional support to the youth. The coach will be there for the youth, help them navigate any challenges, celebrate successes and plan for the future.

*Duties and Responsibilities*:
* Work one-on-one with each young person on their coach load to create individual goals. Uses MST Adaptive and Motivational Interviewing techniques to develop and follow action plans to reach these goals, with consistent support, communication, and follow-through.
* Use goal setting tools to develop customized action plans for each youth to help them reach their goals.
* Establish strong relationships with adolescents using effective modeling of pro-social skills.
* Work collaboratively with other system providers in the youth’s life including to help ensure that the varied systems are driving towards similar goals in a coordinated fashion.
* Meet regularly with parents/foster parents/adult supports to plan with them for youth success, and to support them in helping the youth in their care, reach their goals.
* Encourage youth to attend therapeutic peer groups which focus on skills such as healthy communication, positive peer relationships, dealing with peer pressure, and service learning.
* Works closely with the Educational Specialist/Coordinator to help students apply for college.
* Works closely with the PYA Coordinator to help students secure employment and thrive in the workplace.
* Works closely with the Housing Specialist to help the youth secure after care housing solutions.
* Visit schools to meet with guidance counselors or other school officials. This includes gathering report cards and attending parent/teacher conferences.
* Connect youth to resources, schools, programs and opportunities in line with their goals.
* Help students select vocational programs or colleges based on academic, social, and financial needs.
* All other related duties as assigned

*Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:*
* Makes a long-term commitment to working with youth.
* Computer literate and conversant with social media.
* Is strengths-focused, and open to learning new methods of working with youth and willing to hold him/herself to high practice standards.
* Can work with diverse populations (including LGBTQ) and cultures, process information and respond empathically.
* Can express empathy and genuine caring, while maintaining healthy boundaries.
* Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

*Qualifications/Requirements:*
* Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of working with at risk populations or an Associate’s degree with 4 years of working with at risk populations.
* Due to the nature of the work environment work hours will be based on needs of program and may vary including evenings.
* Our Agency operates in 2 locations, Staten Island and Brooklyn. The ability to travel between sites may be necessary.

*Additional Information*

Seamen’s Society is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.21 per hour

Benefits:
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Employee discount
* Flexible spending account
* Health insurance
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Parental leave
* Referral program
* Retirement plan
* Vision insurance
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
* Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
In accordance with New York City’s COVID Safety Mandated Program (Executive Order No. 83), all Seamen’s Society for Children and Families employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Education:
* Bachelor’s (Required)

Experience:
* working with at risk populations: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: One location