What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vocational Aide/ Life Coach position at RFK Community Alliance?
RFK Community Alliance has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Young Adult Supported Living Life Coach to join our team in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
RFK’s Young Adult Supported Living Program provides DCF-referred young adults, ages 18-22 years old, with individualized housing paired with case management and experiential learning for living independently located in the Central and Western regions of Massachusetts. The program aims to give 12 transition-aged youths, not only the skills and knowledge to be successful in their transition to adulthood but to provide safe and supportive ways to practice and master these skills, with graduated levels of independence, self-initiation, and decision-making.
Who We Seek
The Young Adult Supported Living Program (YASL) seeks a Life Coach (LC) that wants to make a difference in young people's lives as they transition to adulthood. The life Coach reports to Program Director and assists in implementing the RFK- YASL Program. Life Coaches are able to work with the youth of all cultures, ethnicities, and identities with respect. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent organizational and communication skills who enjoys coaching young people using a client-centered and strength-based model with a great deal of creativity. A passion for learning and helping others is a must. Life Coach will ensure that all young adults receive safe, stable housing, support, connections to needed services, and life skills training. Life Coach will carry a caseload of 12 young adults, from Intake to Discharge. LC will provide support to residents in establishing and maintaining housing, program activities, procedures and policy, and any other community providers.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- To work as a cooperative team member and to be a positive role model for participants.
- Manage a caseload of 12 young adults
- Provide effective life skills training, support of case management as well as advocacy.
- Providing 1:1 support, coaching, and modeling to support and improve engagement
- Engage young adults with one-on-one coaching that is person-centered with future-focused planning and goals.
- Meet with young adults 3 or 4 times weekly on a regular basis to plan, practice, and provide feedback on important independent living skills including
,shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundry, budgeting, and use of public transportation among other things. - Working with the young adults to enhance skills of self-direction and empowerment
- Help young adults develop supportive relationships and utilize community resources
- Promoting the development of healthy lifestyles and wellness practices
- Monitor young adult progress in accordance with program/agency policies.
- Ensure young adults are maintaining their apartments to meet health and safety standards.
- Work in conjunction with the Case Manager, to plan and implement “fun and functional” sessions focused on executive function and related skill development (e.g., planning, organizing, prioritizing, scheduling, time management, task initiation, problem-solving, using technology tools, etc.)
- Communicate effectively with community providers, program participants, participant’s families, and any other relevant team members/providers
- Assist young adults with communicating with their academic team (e.g., admissions, registrar, and disability support services on a college campus), if applicable
- Work with young adults to create a weekly written plan/agenda
- Document progress and make recommendations for needed services when needed/appropriate
- Refer clients to appropriate services in the community as necessary
- Support participants in identifying community programs and services as needed
- Assist young adults in identifying and assessing immediate and long-term needs, including safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
- Participate in treatment plans and diverse psycho-educational groups.
- Participate in RFK meetings, training, and webinars, as well as RFK-YASL meetings and training as scheduled.
- Serve as a positive role model consistent with agency guidelines regarding professionalism, boundaries, and ethical standards.
- Ability to work as a team and display sound decision-making
General Responsibilities:
- Preserves the integrity of the programs and agency
- Demonstrates commitment to the RFK’s mission and vision
- Supports overall growth of the program
- Maintains positive and healthy relationships with co-workers and other related parties
- Maintain a safe, respectful, and healthy atmosphere and environment
- Participants in special projects as necessary
- Attends all meeting and training as required
Key Qualifications
- Associate level degree required, preferably in the field of human services, psychology or related field
- Experience working with youth in out-of-home placements
- 1-2 years experience working with at-risk youths and/or housing services preferred
- Lived experience of housing insecurity/teen parenting/foster care strongly preferred
- High level of self-awareness and ability to work effectively with, and relate to, diverse populations
- Must have a driver's license and a dependable vehicle and current insurance
- Must be able to pass a background check, CORI
- Bi-lingual is a plus
Shift
- Fulltime 40 hrs/week, flexible schedule that encompasses a mixture of some mornings, some evenings, and some weekends to accommodate individual participant needs
- On call responsibility
Who We Are
RFK Community Alliance provides high-quality care and support to people and families facing complicated challenges. As a multi-service agency, we offer a wide range of programs serving a variety of needs across all ages from infants to seniors. We are team players when it comes to care. We work with the people we serve, their families, schools, and other community partners to develop a network of support. We provide opportunities to build skills and confidence. We nurture strengths, determination, and resilience.
How We Promote Equity, Cultivate Leaders, and Grow Together
At RFK Community Alliance, we’re dedicated to a culture where everyone can show up to work as their full authentic selves. Diversity and inclusion doesn’t happen by accident, it’s by design. Together we’re the designers. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes our organization stronger. We care about including diverse perspectives and experiences throughout every level. Which is why we’re committed to honoring, celebrating, and fostering diversity and inclusion on our team, in our clientele and within our community. Our team must reflect our community and vice versa. We value, respect, and support all types of diversity across all identities including, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, LGBTQIA, age religion and abilities. We take responsibility for the community we’re creating here at RFK Community Alliance, and we’re here to contribute to the progression of our society to a more inclusive and equitable one.
Why You’ll Love Us
In addition to being a part of a supportive team, we offer amazing employee benefits, including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Generous paid time off
- Holiday Pay
- Educational Assistance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employer-paid Short & Long Term Disability
- Retirement Plan with generous employer match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
$2,500 Sign-On Incentive
This position is eligible for the RFK Community Alliance Sign-On Incentive in the amount of $2,500 in your first year of employment. You will receive $500 after 3 months; $500 after 6 months; $1,500 after 12 months.
Salary : $2,500
