Youth Development Coach-YD

Position Title: Youth Development Coach (Part-Time)

Department: Youth Development (YD)

Reports to: Manager, Youth Development

Status: Part-time, 20 hours per week, non-exempt

Position Objective and Summary:

Under the supervision of the Manager, Youth Development, the part-time Youth Development Coach delivers direct service to youth across the department’s community and school-based programming. The position carries the Mentoring 1:1 caseload for the South geography, supports school-based group mentoring at assigned school sites, and provides program coverage when a full-time coach is absent so that scheduled programming continues without interruption. The Coach works from a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach consistent with UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy, and documents all service delivery in the UCAN database within required timeframes. Scheduled hours fall primarily during school hours and the after-school block and will vary by program calendar.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Carries the Mentoring 1:1 caseload for the South geography, including scheduling sessions with youth, delivering sessions, and completing documentation.
• Supports school-based group mentoring at assigned school sites, including group facilitation, coordination with school staff, and participant tracking.
• Provides coverage for after-school and school-based programming when an assigned coach is absent.
• Maintains working familiarity with the program models the position may be asked to cover.
• Coordinates scheduling with school personnel and program staff so that sessions align with the school calendar and bell schedule.
• Demonstrates supportive behavior and role models positive appropriate interactions.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate daily after school program activities for participants.
• Maintain contact with each participant on a weekly basis, at minimum.
• Engages and works with youth to understand the importance of school performance, education completion, and supports youth to begin and continue with engagement interventions.
• In conjunction with other entities, coordinates activities for program participants and tracks engagement to ensure participants success.
• Ensures that participants barriers are addressed to ensure completion of program activities.
• Possesses a basic understanding of the effects of trauma and operates from that perspective when interacting with youth and families.
• Acts as a mandated reporter.
• Works with participants on violence prevention skills (i.e., anger management, conflict resolution, and other life skills).
• Using a strengths-based approach, engages participants in strategies to improve participation in needed services.
• Assists participants with setting and completing individual goals.
• Assists participants with becoming involved in positive out-of-school time activities such as tutoring, counseling, employment, and recreation.
• Documents daily service delivery to youth and client outcomes in the UCAN database as outlined in program requirements.
• Participates in joint case management activities with other service entities.
• Assist with community outreach, recruitment, orientation and intake services.

Schedule and Availability

• Scheduled for 20 hours per week. Hours are assigned by the Manager, Youth Development and vary by program calendar.
• Availability is required during school hours for school-based programming and during the after-school block for community programming.
• School-based programming follows the school calendar. Hours will be reduced or reassigned during school breaks, holidays, and closures.
• Availability to adjust schedule on short notice to provide program coverage.
• Occasional evening or weekend availability for community events and family engagement activities.
• Records time worked by program assignment so that hours are charged to the correct funding source.

Community Relations

• Establish and maintain relationships with local service providers and faith institutions to enhance community relations and to strengthen referral sources for participants.
• Attend community meetings (i.e., elected officials’ meetings, beat meetings, community discussions) and serve as a representative of UCAN.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitment to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities punctual and prepared as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others.
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned or required.

Professional Development

• Attends regular supervision, team meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.
• Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• BSW or BA/BS in a Education, Youth Development, Non-Profit field.
• In place of a degree, a high school diploma/GED with a minimum of 2 years of experience in child welfare or youth development/outreach.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Experience working in high-risk communities.
• Experience working with at-risk youth.
• Knowledge of local community resources in North & South Lawndale, Austin, East & West Garfield, Humboldt Park and or/ Roseland community (services providers, general assistance).
• Must have a valid drivers license, valid auto insurance, and a registered vehicle.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Experience working with teenagers and young adults.
• Experience or ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing.
• Experience delivering one-on-one mentoring or case management to youth.
• Experience facilitating groups in a school or community setting preferred.
• Demonstrated accuracy and timeliness in service documentation.
• Ability to manage a schedule that varies week to week across multiple program sites.

Work Environment: This position requires work in the community. This position requires periodically work in the evenings and weekends.