JOB TITLE: Forward Journey Coach (Residential)
DEPARTMENT: Education & Parent Support Services
LOCATION: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood
REPORTS TO: Forward Journey Coach Supervisor
SUPERVISES: N/A
I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Key program components include:
- Community-based: Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
- Systemic approach: Incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (community, peers, family, school).
- Comprehensive: Addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships).
Forward Journey Coach duties will include, but not be limited to:
Overall:
- Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
- Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic and career development goals (including financial literacy) based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
- Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
- Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
- Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parent, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
- Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
- Transport youth to/from school when necessary.
- Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool.
- Complete Youth Voice Questionnaire for youth (14-up).
- Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth.
- Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops.
- Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings.
- Input child information into all required data platforms and systems.
- Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.
Academic:
- Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
- Assess the fit between youth and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency program, if needed.
- Visit the youth’s school/program bi-monthly 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 (e.g., tutoring, IEPs, 504 Plans, special accommodations).
- Expose and assist students to post-secondary pathways and planning such as college, accredited vocational programs, and internships starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible).
- Maintain school stability.
Career Development:
- Assist youth with obtaining working papers, if needed.
- Conduct career exploration activities with youth.
- Assist all youth to select at least one career development experience each year that aligns with their interests and academic background.
- Work with the youth and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways.
- Connect youth to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, for workforce development programs, vocational programs, and job application assistance.
- Connect youth to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or Mentored Internship Program).
- Provide persistence coaching to youth enrolled in any external program by checking in regularly.
Housing & Independent Living:
- Coordinate with Housing Specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when appropriate).
- Accompany youth to interviews and housing visits, when needed.
- Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support through the move-in process, and provide continued support with housing stability.
II. QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Degree:
Bachelor’s Degree; Extensive experience working with youth.
Other skills and requirements:
- Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred).
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written), strong empathy, and passion for child welfare.
- Ability to respond to the developmental needs of children across different age groups.
- Ability to work with families with histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, abuse, and diverse cultural/socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Ability to work compassionately and without judgment with individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or are exploring their identity.
- Strong time management, diligence, resilience, and teamwork experience.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.
- Valid NYS Driver’s License required and/or timeframe for obtaining one.
- Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.
- Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.
