Life Skills Coordinator

Position Title: Life Skills Coordinator

 Salary: $50,000

 Benefits: $12,000 health benefit stipend (per year), 25 personal days, 5 paid volunteer days, paid holidays

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Position Summary

The Life Skills Coordinator partners with young adults who have experienced foster care, out-of-home placement, Child Protective Services involvement, or Youth Justice involvement. Through a participant-led, strengths-based approach, this role helps young adults build the skills, connections, and confidence needed to achieve stability, pursue their goals, and thrive in adulthood. 

Through a participant-led, strengths-based approach, the Life Skills Coordinator partners with young adults as they identify goals, overcome barriers, and pursue greater stability in housing, education, employment, financial wellness, and overall well-being. This role provides individualized coaching, mentorship, advocacy, and resource navigation while fostering authentic relationships that encourage growth, resilience, and self-sufficiency.

The Life Skills Coordinator serves as a trusted support person, helping participants navigate complex systems, access community resources, and develop practical life skills that promote long-term success. In addition to direct participant support, this position helps cultivate a welcoming and inclusive community environment through management of the open pantry, facilitation of group activities and workshops, and engagement with community partners.

The ideal candidate believes in the potential of every young person, approaches challenges with empathy and curiosity, and is committed to walking alongside participants as they pursue their unique goals. This individual is adaptable, collaborative, and passionate about creating opportunities for young adults to achieve lasting independence and stability.

Participant Support

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with participants and provide individualized support through a strengths-based, participant-led approach.
• Conduct assessments and collaborate with participants to develop personalized action plans that support their housing stability, personal growth, educational achievement, employment goals, and overall well-being.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and life skills development in areas such as budgeting, financial literacy, household management, employment readiness, healthcare navigation, transportation, and community engagement.
• Support participants in identifying barriers, setting goals, and developing strategies to increase self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
• Assist participants with resource navigation and coordinate warm handoffs to community partners and service providers.
• Provide advocacy and support during challenging situations, including housing concerns, system navigation, and crisis response as appropriate.
• Document participant interactions, track progress toward goals, evaluate outcomes, and maintain accurate and timely records in accordance with organizational standards.

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners, landlords, employers, educational institutions, and service providers to strengthen supports available to participants.
• Attend meetings, resource fairs, community events, and participant-centered case conferences as a representative of HeadsUp and advocate for participant needs.
• Assist in the planning and facilitation of social engagement opportunities, workshops, life skills programming, and special events that foster connection, belonging, and personal growth.

Professional Collaboration & Growth

• Participate actively in team meetings, case consultations, and organizational planning efforts to ensure coordinated participant support and alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate across programs to strengthen service delivery, identify emerging participant needs, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
• Stay informed on best practices and emerging trends in youth development, trauma-informed care, housing stability, foster care transition services, and community collaboration.
• Complete required training and pursue professional development opportunities as requested or approved by leadership.

Qualifications

Demonstrated belief in the potential of young people and a commitment to walking alongside youth as they pursue their goals, even when progress is non-linear. 

• Strong alignment with HeadsUp Fox Cities' mission, values, and commitment to empowering youth transitioning from foster care to independent adulthood.
• Lived experience in foster care, child welfare, housing instability, or a related system is valued. Professional experience in youth services, case management, social work, education, housing, behavioral health, or a related field is also welcomed.
• Ability to build authentic, trusting relationships with young adults while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centered approaches.
• Comfortable navigating difficult conversations and supporting youth/young adults through crisis, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with team members, community partners, landlords, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of community resources, housing supports, employment resources, educational opportunities, and public benefit systems preferred.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation, protect confidentiality, and utilize technology platforms for communication and recordkeeping.
• Flexible, adaptable, and solution-focused with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout the Fox Cities region as required.
• Successful completion of criminal background and child abuse clearances required.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

HeadsUp Fox Cities is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage all interested applicants to apply regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, physical disabilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, color, gender identity characteristics or expression, marital status, veteran status, or medical condition.

All requirements are subject to modification and can be reasonably accommodated for individuals with a disability.

Interested in Joining the HeadsUp Team? A brief letter of interest including three professional references and a resume are recommended. To apply, please contact Beth Weiler at beth@headsupfc.org directly or reply to this posting.