Lead Life Coach - South Bend - FT

Description

The Excel Center – Northern Indiana is a high-quality, free, public high school for adult learners 18 and older. We provide coursework toward completing the required credits for students to earn an Indiana Core 40 diploma (not a TASC/GED/HSE program). Our students benefit from a structured learning environment with direct/ face-to-face instruction, an accelerated format, small classes and individualized attention that meets the unique needs of adult learners. All students are assigned a life coach providing academic and personal counseling to support students pursuing their goals. Our staff have a significant impact on the lives of students seeking a second chance to change their lives. The Excel Center also requires students to earn industry-recognized certificates and/or dual credit college courses. We are seeking a dynamic and innovative team to assist in this endeavor.

Summary

The Lead Life Coach will promote continued student engagement in the Excel Center. This role will oversee, manage, train, and evaluate life coaches and CCR staff as well as have a caseload of students to assist. In addition, it will facilitate the team relationship and meet with individual students to assist in overcoming barriers to each student’s educational progress. Through these problem-solving sessions, the Lead Life Coach will suggest ways in which each student can overcome barriers and continue educational progress. Additional responsibilities include training new coaches, caseload distribution, conducting informal and formal evaluations and being part of the leadership team. The position will work with the instructional team in meeting the educational objectives and adhering to the Indiana State Standards. Additionally, the approach will support the school’s motto: “Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor”. The Lead Life Coach reports to the School Director.

This role demonstrates behaviors consistent with our Mission, Vision, and Values, on behalf of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.

Duties

• Executes recruitment strategies to attract prospective students through outreach and events.
• Supervises life coaches, college/career transition counselors; conducts annual reviews.
• Leads by example with a caseload of students.
• Member of the Leadership team; liaison between administration and teachers and life coaches.
• Develops agenda and facilitates life coach team meetings, delegates tasks appropriately.
• Knowledgeable in every life coach area including career and college transition.
• Co-Teach Senior Seminar or other classes if needed.
• Monitors and tracks life coach data; presents coach data during leadership and staff meetings.
• Plans and/or conducts life coach professional development.
• Leads the intake process to introduce students to Excel, outlining his/her educational goals.
• Assesses students’ life experiences for possible translation into school credits.
• Assists instructors in developing student’s individual learning plans based on intake assessment.
• Collaborates with Director and Lead Teacher to execute effective course scheduling within student management system.
• Becomes part of a reliable alliance and can connect emotionally and socially with group members. Provides support and maintains open communication with instructors.
• Collaborates with Director and Lead Teacher in planning and implementation of recruitment and retention strategies.
• Manages and monitors students’ learning experience to ensure student engagement and accomplishment of learning goals through individual and/or group meetings.
• Identifies and connects students to community resources to remove barriers and support academic and/or personal goals.
• Initiates and maintains contact with key community partners (community agencies, educational institutions, and employers) to enhance the menu of support services provided to students.
• Works closely with leadership and instructional staff to support student success.
• Attends all team and professional development meetings and special events including scheduled open houses, testing sessions, orientations, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Qualifications

• Flexible availability for daytime and evening classes.
• 2 years of experience in mentoring, counseling, advising, or related field.
• Experience working with high school students in a non-traditional setting and/or in an adult education setting highly preferred.
• Superior verbal and written communication and meeting facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational skills; extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to analyze data for informed decision making.
• Ability to work well in a team; ability to bridge and enhance professional learning communities.
• Ability to create, monitor, and maintain systems that enhance organizational efficiency.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; energetic self-starter; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed; able to embrace change positively.
• Experience working with a diverse, non-traditional, inner-city population preferred.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish highly preferred.
• Has working knowledge of computer programs to perform clerical tasks: student information system, Google Applications, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, and web browsers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships at all levels and to relate to a diverse population.
• Awareness of community resources.
• Outstanding role model for success and professionalism.
• Possess the essential mindset that all students can succeed.
• Drive to improve the outcomes and lives of students in and out of the classroom.
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and create opportunities for students out of challenges and lessons learned.
• Requires occasional local travel/transporting individuals.
• Current driver’s license and adequate automobile insurance required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check and drug screen.