Career Coach (Reentry Population)

Strive - New York City, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York City, NY

Real Estate

About the position

Under the direction of the Fresh Start Program Director, the Career Coach will support STRIVE's Re-Entry Program. The program will incorporate evidence-based interventions such as moral resonation therapy, motivational interviewing, legal services, and occupational skills training. This position will use STRIVE's proven employment model to service individuals, with the goal of assisting men and women reentering society to attain and sustain employment and ultimately diminish the rate of recidivism.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective coaching strategies to help participants overcome challenges and barriers and identify strengths, advising on how to leverage strengths and challenges to secure employment or excel in their chosen career path.
• Provide short-term counseling and works with program participants to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence through a strengths-based approach.
• Provide information on suitable career paths based on participants' skills, qualifications, interests, and experience based on assessments and providing feedback on results.
• Maintain case notes, files, and client database as specified by the Fresh Start Program.
• Coordinate supports that will assist the participant with ongoing attendance and participation in program activities, assessing needs through case management principles and making referrals to community resources as appropriate.
• Refer applicants, participants, graduates, and community residents to programs that can assist them to resolve issues preventing them from participating in the labor market.
• Work with other key personnel focused on STRIVE Fresh Start to ensure the success of program participants.
• Work with other STRIVE staff to maintain and update agency's resource/referral directory.
• Maintain contact with work site supervisors to support STRIVE participants, being responsive to concerns.
• Develop, review and edit participant resumes to ensure trainees are prepared for job interviews and conduct follow-up assessments.
• Work with program participants to develop written explanation, supporting documentation for conviction(s) and references.
• Obtain ongoing training in counseling techniques and social services in general as provided by STRIVE's national Program & Impact Team and/or external training sessions as budget allows.
• Provide follow-up supportive services according to Fresh Start program standards and guidelines.
• Provide incremental retention follow-up up to two years on all participants who completed training.
• Maintain accurate records of student data and progress in STRIVE's performance management system.
• Collect participant documentation and acquire verification as needed, including income, housing, identity to ensure program eligibility.
• Completes other tasks as assigned or needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required or comparable work experience.
• Professional experience with the re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals and adult development required.
• At least two years of counseling experience required.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with criminal justice systems, programs and issues.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of public and non-profit partners is a must.
• Must have outstanding communication and writing skills; solid proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• High level of comfort using and interpreting data reports to guide program service delivery.
• Commitment to leveraging data and supporting a data-driven culture at STRIVE.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is helpful.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits Program
• 401k with employer match
• 20 days of PTO (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• Sick leave
• Up to $500 annual professional development reimbursement
• Paid holidays (including week of Christmas)
• Early closing each Friday during the Summers
• And numerous additional benefits!