ILSP Education Coach (Bilingual)

Job Description

Job Description

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. 

About First Place for Youth, We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

  Why Work at First Place For Youth :

• Meaningful Impact :  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
• Innovative Approach:  We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
• Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
• Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

P OSITION SUMMARY:  Education Coach (Bilingual) focuses on stabilizing in-care foster youth with the goal of helping participants achieve their high school diploma, GED or equivalent, and continue on to post-secondary education or enter the workforce. This position focuses on assuring our Spanish speaking youth are able to equally access services. The Education Coach plays a critical role in supporting a young person as they deal with the excitement, rigors and uncertainty of adulthood and departure from foster care. This position works closely with schools and providers, such as High School counselors, Foster Youth liaisons, social workers, attorneys, teachers, mental health clinicians and administrators to ensure participants successfully obtain their high school diploma or equiv. Critical youth objectives are attaining a high school diploma, identifying permanent connections, enrolling in post-secondary education, entering the workforce, and exploring vocational training. The Education Coach provides 1-on-1 supports, facilitates groups, workshops, and community activities, while working with the primary providers in each participants’ life to bring about a successful and smooth transition from high school. 

This work is done at the SF ILSP center, at the local high schools throughout the Bay, in the community, and occasionally onsite at our Oakland Headquarter office in person. The ILSP Center is open 10-6:30pm Monday through Friday, with an occasional evening to provide a safe and healthy space for youth to spend time in. This is currently an in-office position requiring onsite work in San Francisco between business hours of 9:30am-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, including 1-2 days per month onsite at our Oakland location, with the occasional evening. Onsite requirement subject to change with notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with high school students and community partners.
• Conduct individual case management meetings to assistant participants with identifying and progressing towards short term goals that focus on achieving outcomes in the areas of education, employment, stable housing, parenting, relationships and overall health.
• Create and facilitate ongoing workshops that address a myriad of topics that support educational progress.
• Attend IEP meetings and other collaborative meetings to ensure participants are progressing towards identified educational goals.
• Coordinate and facilitate collaborative meetings that include pertinent service providers to advocate for clients’ needs regarding their educational and program goals.
• Assist participants with identifying supportive connections in their life to aid in the successful achievement of their program goals and to strengthen their support network as they transition towards independence.
• Conduct outreach and recruitment activities at local high schools and in the community.
• Coordinate with referral agencies, identify community resources, track participants’ progress, and develop creative interventions that allow participants to practice and strengthen their independent living skills.
• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision.
• Enter all data on time and efficiently to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.
• Ensure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Counseling or Education) and 2 years of experience mentoring or coaching at-risk transition age youth OR a combination of a HS Diploma and a minimum of 5 years of direct experience mentoring or guiding at-risk transition age youth through education pathways
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers.
• Ability to lead teams and hold internal and external members accountable.
• Understanding of how the child welfare system operates, and roles and responsibilities within the child welfare system.
• Fluency in Spanish required (reading, writing, and verbal).
• Excellent knowledge of education and employment resources for youth in the Bay Area.
• General knowledge of the issues facing transitioning foster youth.
• Experience in youth development model, asset-based relationship building, and experience in motivating youth.
• Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently.
• A dependable car, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance preferred.
• Computer Skills – Proficiency with current MS Office suite applications including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systems
• Strong Communication Skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

  Benefits:

• 15 days of vacation time in the first year
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 floating holidays
• 15 paid holidays
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
• Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
• Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
• Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan 
• Paid sabbatical

Bachelor's Degree Pay Ra