Life Coach

Hearts With A Mission has a great opportunity for a full-time Life Coach in our Youth Shelter. Join our team and make a difference in our community!

Evening and weekend availability required.

Hearts With A Mission serves homeless and at-risk youth, ages 10-17, by providing shelter, educational support, mentoring, and transition planning with a faith-based approach.

Hearts With A Mission provides a safe and nurturing environment for youth to stabilize, stay in school, resolve conflict, learn new self-management skills, and connect with safe adults. Youth receive guidance and support while developing an exit plan through individual case management. Walk-ins, drop-offs, and referrals are all assessed and screened to identify needs, eligibility, and appropriateness. All youth entering the shelter are cleared by local law enforcement. Our ultimate goal is family reunification or a safe alternative.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Life Coach provides direct supervision of youth, ages 10-17 years old, living in a temporary emergency youth shelter. This position provides mentoring, life skills training, coaching, peer support, and applies positive behavior management techniques in a loving, yet structured setting. The Life Coach participates in meal preparation, cleaning, record keeping, medication administration, transportation, written reports, and engaging with youth. Responsible for continually monitoring safety and security. Performs assignments with supervision or independently, requiring initiative and judgment in conduct of work. All work is performed in compliance with organizational guidelines and policies, as well as all applicable laws.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The Life Coach reports directly to the Lead Life Coach. This is not a supervisory position. The Life Coach may be assigned to coordinate activities with others on specific projects. This position has an introductory period of three (3) months.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions listed below are not intended to reflect all duties that may be assigned to this position. The organization may augment duties and/or essential functions at its discretion.

• Provide direct supervision and positive behavioral support of youth; monitor youth and shelter activities.
• Complete youth intake process for emergency shelter, including but not limited to paperwork, assist youth and parents with needs and questions. Provide direct service to youths over the phone and face to face including support and advocacy.
• Provide Crisis Intervention by phone.
• Maintain confidentiality in all youth and family matters, direct interaction, written information, case discussion, etc.
• Work in conjunction with Shelter Manager and Lead Life Coach to maintain a safe and supportive environment for youth.
• Provide, lead, and model specific life skill training as it relates to the youth’s Individual Service Plan. Includes but not limited to cooking, cleaning, preparing and serving food, creating a resume, application for employment, and scheduling medical appointments.
• Develop relationships with each resident to promote healthy growth, development, and effective coping skills for the environment in which they live.
• Assist youth and families in crisis to problem solve and resolve issues when management is unavailable.
• Provide non-physical crisis intervention (i.e. CPI NVCI, CPS, etc.) as needed, including involvement of other staff or authorities.
• Interact and network in a professional, caring and trauma informed manner with other agencies, institutions, law enforcement, and outside individuals to coordinate services for homeless, and at-risk youth.
• Consistently apply HWAM policies, procedures, and behavior management tools (CPS, Prudent Parenting, etc.) in all interactions. Use independent professional judgment within the parameters of established guidelines, policies, and procedures to solve day-to-day problems.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough written and oral communication, including incident reports. Ensure co-workers are informed of all pertinent data, changes, youth behaviors, and needs.
• Assist with scheduling and implementing youth activities. May join Adventure Therapy outings as approved and trained.
• Transport youth individually or in groups as requested.
• Represent HWAM in public settings professionally and respectfully; may include public speaking.
• Attend trainings and meetings as assigned. May be appointed to committees.
• Maintain the shelter in accordance with DHS licensing requirements. Contribute to the smooth management and supervision of the shelter, which may include assuming other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of general record keeping practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Oregon DHS Mandatory Reporting program.
• Knowledge of behavioral program models (CPS, CPI, Prudent Parenting, ACES, and Positive Youth Development)
• Knowledge of basic human development and impacts of trauma.
• Knowledge of the organization’s rules, regulations, procedures, Mission, Vision, and Values.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, honesty, and transparency while always upholding the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, ethics, and morals.
• Clearly communicates and expresses ideas and displays good interpersonal communication skills; understands verbal and written instructions.
• Demonstrates, promotes, and practices cultural competency towards residents, families, and staff with respect and understanding.
• Demonstrate good moral character and integrity, including honesty, fairness, respect for the rights of others, and respect for local, state, and federal laws.
• Demonstrate qualities to work well with children, adolescents, and their families in group care. Qualities include empathy, sensitivity, flexibility, emotional maturity, compassion, and a good sense of humor.
• Ability to function as a role model to young people while fostering an environment of inclusiveness and youth empowerment.
• Ability to deal with frustration and conflict while demonstrating respect to persons with differing lifestyles and philosophies.
• Ability to apply initiative and judgment in performance of work assignments.
• Ability to exercise strict confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm and in control in high-stress, intense situations.
• Ability to work as part of a strong, supportive team providing services and links to service agencies for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and their families.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the organization, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and DHS Child Welfare background check, free of serious criminal activity which may have a detrimental effect on the ability to supervise or care for youth.
• Ability to maintain an acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and proof of valid auto insurance.
• Demonstrate dependability, reliability, and accountability to include punctuality and attendance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed indoors, in a shelter for at-risk, homeless, and runaway youth. This position is not normally exposed to hazardous materials, loud noises, or extreme heat or cold, however, noise levels are consistent with a youth shelter housing up to 16 youths and numerous staff consecutively. Occasional exposure to chemical solutions, Airborne Pathogens, and Bloodborne Pathogens (body fluids) may occur. This position requires evening, weekend, and/or holiday work. Work activities vary widely including attendance at meetings, trainings, and conferences; some overnight travel may be required. If local travel occurs and requires use of a personally owned vehicle, mileage reimbursement is available. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential job functions satisfactorily. This position involves periods of prolonged sitting and standing and use of computer equipment. This position requires the physical and mental capabilities to read information printed on paper and displayed on computer monitors; hear, speak, and communicate verbally using the English language; cognitive thinking and mathematical calculation capabilities; manual dexterity to manipulate papers, files, financial records, keyboard, 10-key, mouse, and telephone. This position requires walking, crouching, bending, stooping, twisting, turning, balancing, climbing steps/stairs, regular limb extension, pinching, grasping, moving, lifting, and carrying objects of 10 or more pounds frequently. Occasional driving required locally and long distance. Reasonable accommodations will be made to otherwise qualify individuals with disabilities and known limitations. This position must promote safe working practices; supports an environment of mental and physical well-being.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Minimum of one (1) year experience working with at-risk youth ages 10-17 years old.
3. Experience in the use of computers, word processing, data base, and spreadsheet software applications.
4. First Aid/CPR certification AND Food Handler’s certification within 20 days of hire.
5. Valid Oregon driver’s license at time of hire.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or a related field.
2. Two (2) or more years’ experience working with at-risk youth.
3. Bilingual in English/Spanish
4. Experience with Collaborative Problem Solving, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, ACES, Trauma- Informed Care, and/or Prudent Parenting.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Medical Insurance
• Company paid Dental, & Vision Insurance for the employee (including affordable options for dependents & partners)
• Company paid Term Life and AD&D Insurance, plus Long-Term Disability
• 401k with Employer Match
• Chaplain Care Team - Confidential, no-cost support for employee and family

FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Hearts With A Mission is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.