Fair Futures Coach (HS Youth Coach)

The High School Youth Coach (Fair Futures Coach) is a full-time role supporting a caseload of 15–20 high school students in the Prevention Program. Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and relationship-centered approach, the Coach builds trusting relationships and provides individualized, data-informed guidance to help youth achieve their academic, career, employment, housing, and independent living goals. Coaches assist students in exploring interests, connecting to schools and programs, persisting through challenges, and successfully navigating key transitions, while collaborating closely with families, school staff, and internal teams. The role includes tracking progress, using data to inform interventions, and maintaining accurate documentation. Coaches receive ongoing training and professional development and are asked to commit to at least 1–2 years to ensure consistency and meaningful impact in young people’s lives. The position reports to the Director of Youth Development.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions of Position:

• Participates in in-service trainings and on-site workshops as required for professional growth and development. Attends external trainings and workshops at direction of management.

• Manage a caseload of 15-20 students in high school and provide compassionate, supportive, and trauma-informed coaching to high school youth.

• Conduct in-person\face to face monthly check-ins with all Scholars on their caseload at the agency, at the Scholars’ residence, school, or in the community.

• Implement the Fair Futures goals and steps model, in monthly check-ins, and coaching with high school youth.

• Enter data and progress notes on the Fair Futures Platform and Connections by assigned deadlines.

• Participate and engage in weekly, monthly, and ongoing virtual and in-person agency-wide, Youth Development, and Education Team, ACS, Fair Futures, CUNY, FCSI, Advocates for Children, College Access and College Success, professional development, and DOE related meetings, training, events, programs, and workshops.

• Maintaining relationships with school staff, and external stakeholders such as ACS, Fair Futures Coalition, and advocates for children.

• Support youth with applying to scholarships, funding, employment, educational, and housing opportunities as needed.

• Plan and implement engaging in-person workshops/PYA and other activities for high school youth throughout the year. Engage with young people to get them to attend.

• Plan and implement in-person workshops and activities for high school youth throughout the year.

• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.

• Assess the fit between the young person and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency (HSE) program, if needed.

• Visit the young person’s school/program and build relationships with school staff, review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress towards graduation/HSE obtainment.

• Ensure young people are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful, such as tutoring, individualized educational plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, or other special accommodations.

• Expose students to post-secondary pathways, such college and/or accredited vocational programs, starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible).

• Assist students with post-secondary planning, along with the guidance counselors and/or College Specialists and Career Development Specialists.

• Connect the student to the College Specialist to apply to colleges, opportunity programs, and all forms of financial aid, funding, and scholarships.

• Provide college persistence coaching, including ensuring students are receiving all of the financial and academic supports they need to succeed each semester.

• Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate; Collaborate with all relevant partners, such as Case Planners, guidance counselors, Specialists, Tutors, Teachers, family members, and caregivers.

• Conduct career exploration activities with young people.

• Assist ALL young people in selecting at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.

• Work with the young person and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways based on the young person’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans.

• Connect the young person to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications.

• Connect young people, as needed, to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or the Mentored Internship Program).

• Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in any external program by checking in with them regularly.

• Bachelor's degree required.

• Master's degree or equivalent preferred.

• Two plus years working with youth or with the NYC DOE in an instructional, administration, or advocacy-related position required

• Experience required with leading workshops and trainings.

• Flexibility with traveling to the five boroughs.

• Experience preferred in college access and college success programs.

• Experience working with students and families in foster care is strongly preferred.

• Ability to navigate complex educational issues, be resourceful, and work independently.

• Experience required with special education, education team meetings, and student advocacy.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must.

• Computer Skills - excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and databases including Microsoft Access.

• Operating Skills - flexibility in working on assignments, stays on task and meets deadlines, strong analytical skills, creative and critical thinker, and ability to stay organized. Experience and confidence with working with data, and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.

• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Benefits

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You can expect:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.

• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.

• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).

• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.

• Tuition Assistance Program.

• Professional Development opportunities.

• Wellhub Discount

• Verizon Wireless Discount.

• BJs Membership discount.

• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to [email protected].

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.