Life Skills and Self-Sufficiency Trainer

Life Skills and Self-Sufficiency Trainer

Position Description

Date: October 17, 2024

Status: Fulltime and Non-Exempt

Reports to: Manager of Safe House and Supportive Housing

Schedule of Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM

Possible Percentage of Work from Home: Considered an On-Site position.

Mandated Reporter: Yes

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

As the only agency in San Mateo County with the sole purpose of serving those experiencing intimate partner abuse, CORA provides safety, support, and healing. CORA’s comprehensive services include a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, safe house options, legal services, and family-centered mental health therapy. In addition, CORA provides community education and prevention programming throughout the county. CORA is a multicultural agency committed to serving individuals regardless of age, ethnicity/race, financial status, language, sexual orientation, immigration status, class, religion, gender, gender expression, or mental or physical ability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Life Skills and Self-Sufficiency Trainer will provide dynamic training programs for clients residing in CORA’s housing programs, as well as for the staff members who serve them and the volunteers who contribute to these efforts. This role involves developing, acquiring, and facilitating training curricula that address practical skills such as job searching, establishing productive relationships with landlords, recognizing red flags of domestic violence, and enhancing financial literacy. The Life Skills Trainer will collaborate closely with sister domestic violence (DV) agencies to share resources and curriculum. In addition to the development and acquisition of curriculum, this position will be responsible for organizing and delivering workshops and training events that foster self-reliance and empowerment among CORA clients.

The ideal candidate is experienced in providing services to individuals affected by trauma and is passionate about promoting self-sufficiency through skill-building and empowerment-focused programming.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Training and Client Empowerment:

• Design and implement life skills training programs focused on enhancing client self-sufficiency, including but not limited to job search strategies, tenant rights and responsibilities, financial literacy, and awareness of domestic violence.
• Conduct outreach to external non-domestic violence related agencies for collaboration to provide self-sufficiency trainings and workshops to clients
• Develop and acquire training curricula, utilizing relationships with sister DV agencies to share resources and best practices.
• Facilitate regular workshops and events, ensuring content is relevant and adaptable to client needs.

Gather feedback from clients, staff, and volunteers to continuously improve training content and delivery methods.

Staff and Volunteer Support:

• Research curriculum, develop trainings and offer these to CORA staff and volunteers on topics relevant to their work with clients, ensuring all parties have the knowledge and tools necessary to support clients effectively moving toward housing stability. and self-sufficiency.
• Research and design programs that engage volunteers in the delivery of self-sufficiency programming for clients.
• Collaborate with other CORA departments to align training initiatives with client self-sufficiency goals.
• When outside expertise is more appropriate, research appropriate trainers and work with managers and leadership to bring these trainings to the CORA team.  

Program Administration:

• Track participation and outcomes for each training program, maintaining records in the agency’s database – Empower DB.
• Assist in monitoring program budgets, collaborating with the Manager of Safe House and Supportive Housing to ensure financial accountability.
• Contribute to program evaluation efforts by providing data and feedback on training outcomes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in adult education, life skills training, or domestic violence services preferred.
• Preferred: Bilingual (e.g., Spanish/English, Samoan, Tongan, Tagalog, Cantonese).
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, or a related field strongly preferred. Extensive work experience in the field may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proven experience in curriculum development, adult learning principles, and facilitating group training sessions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Has valid CA Driver’s license, insurance, and ability to drive own vehicle for work purposes to travel within San Mateo County.
• The position may require working outside of standard office hours to meet the needs of clients and attend community events.
• The role involves traveling to safe house locations and other community settings.

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS

This position requires you to work with children, and your profession qualifies you as “mandated reporters” of child abuse or neglect, which is found in California Penal Code Section 11165.7. You are required to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect pursuant to California Penal Code Section 11166.5.

CORA HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

CORA has provided services to survivors of intimate partner abuse since 1977. Our services include Crisis Intervention, Safe House options, long-term supportive housing, mental health counseling, and legal advocacy. CORA also leads community education initiatives to help prevent domestic violence and to foster healthier relationships. CORA is committed to a collaborative, strengths-based, and client-centered approach that respects the diverse backgrounds and needs of survivors.

CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek diversity with respect to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and any other category protected by Federal, State, or other applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

All applicants are welcome. Individuals who are bilingual, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and/or survivors of domestic violence are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.