Life Skills Coach - Family Shelter Services

About Bill Wilson Center:

Bill Wilson Center provides services to children, youth, young adults, and families in Santa Clara County. Additionally, we reach clients through our street outreach and crisis line programs. Bill Wilson Center programs focus on housing, mental health care, supportive services, and advocacy. Bill Wilson Center is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. A key component of Bill Wilson Center's philosophy encompasses a strength-based approach to improving the lives of the youth and young families in our communities. Bill Wilson Center has been providing services to runaway and homeless youth since 1973. Join us and become a difference maker at Bill Wilson Center!

Job Summary:

Under the supervision and direction of the Shelter Manager of the Family Shelter Services, the Life Skills Coach will help support families in developing vital independent life skills to help support their journey towards self-sufficiency.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Assessment and Goal Setting

• Conduct assessments to understand each family's unique needs and skill gaps in areas like budgeting, communication, and self-care.
• Collaborate with families to set achievable and measurable goals for skill development based on their individual circumstances and desired outcomes.

Training and Skill Development

• Design and deliver workshops or individual coaching sessions on life skills relevant to independent living, such as budgeting, financial literacy, job search techniques, healthy meal planning, time management, and conflict resolution.
• Utilize various teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and ensure everyone benefits from the programs.
• Provide opportunities for families to practice and develop their skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Mentorship and Support

• Serve as mentors and build rapport with families, offering encouragement and guidance as they work towards their goals.
• Empower families to identify their strengths and develop self-advocacy skills.
• Connect families with additional resources within the shelter or the community that can further support their specific needs.

Motivation and Problem-Solving

• Assist families in overcoming challenges and developing coping mechanisms for dealing with stress or setbacks.
• Encourage families to stay motivated and celebrate their achievements along the way.
• Help families identify and address any barriers that may hinder their progress towards self-sufficiency.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, including progress reports, skills assessments, and coaching sessions.
• Track the progress of families towards their goals and adjust coaching strategies as needed.
• Contribute to case management plans by providing updates on client progress and skill development.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with case managers, social workers, and other shelter staff to ensure a holistic approach to supporting families.
• Communicate effectively with families, respecting their privacy and maintaining confidentiality.
• May participate in staff meetings and provide feedback on life skills programming.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance coaching skills and knowledge.
• May assist with other shelter activities as needed, such as facilitating group activities or assisting with resource distribution.
• Stay up-to-date on local housing regulations, rental assistance programs, and community resources.
• May assist with shelter operations tasks related to housing applications or resource distribution.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Experience:

• (B.A.) in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field plus 2 years of relevant managerial experience (MA/MSW preferred).
• Experience in program planning and supervision of staff; or 5 years on field experience/lived experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred experience working with homeless clients and in a shelter setting.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Language Skills - Ability to understand and interpret a variety of documents, including safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to prepare clear and accurate reports and correspondence. Strong communication skills are essential to effectively engage with diverse individuals and groups. Bilingual communication skills (English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese) are highly valued and strongly encouraged.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations - Current CPR and First Aid Certification required (or complete within 30 days of hire). Valid California driver’s license with access to a personal vehicle with current insurance that can be used for company business. Fingerprinting/background check as required by the Department of Justice and/or Title XXII regulations. TB test required.
• Mathematical Skills- Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts as required for reporting.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and address a variety of real-world situations where limited standardization may exist. Ability to understand and interpret instructions provided in multiple formats, including written, verbal, visual (such as diagrams), or scheduled forms. Flexibility in learning and communication methods is welcomed and supported.
• Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, individuals should have familiarity with internet software, spreadsheet software, and word processing software. Comfort with internet research is a plus. Training and support will be provided as needed to ensure success in these areas.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay Range:

$24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Employee Benefits & Perks:

We offer a generous compensation package for full-time employees that includes the following:

• 4 Weeks Accrued PTO
• 14 Paid Holidays Per Year
• Paid Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Life Insurance Plans
• Flexible Spending Plans for Medical, Dependent Care, Parking and Transit
• 401 (K) Retirement Plan
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• Upward Career Mobility
• Discounts and Savings through Tickets At Work and LifeMart

EEO:

Bill Wilson Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.