Forwad Journey Coach- Residential

SCO; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

SCO Family of Services is seeking a Forward Journey Coach to support youth through academic and career planning, housing stability, and post-secondary pathways.

Youth-focused role emphasizes case collaboration, data entry, and ongoing social-emotional support, with travel to school sites as needed. Strong communication and empathy required to serve diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and extensive youth work experience.
• Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred).
• Excellent communication and empathy; ability to work with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• 1:1 work with youth to develop individualized academic and career goals, including financial literacy.
• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities.
• Help youth navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and plan next steps.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parents, and Parents as needed.
• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from school when necessary.
• Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool; facilitate My Journey Groups and Monthly Workshops.
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings; input data into required systems.
• Re-engage disconnected youth and assist transfers to better-fit educational settings.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Time management

Teamwork

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CONNECTIONS

Job description

REPORTS TO:Forward Journey Coach Supervisor
SUPERVISES:N/A

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Key program components include:

• Community-based:Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
• Systemic approach:Incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (community, peers, family, school).
• Comprehensive:Addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships).

Forward Journey Coach duties will include, but not be limited to:

Overall:

• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic and career development goals (including financial literacy) based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parent, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from school when necessary.
• Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool.
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth.
• Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops.
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings.
• Input child information into all required data platforms and systems.
• Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.
• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
• Assess the fit between youth and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency program, if needed.
• Visit the youth’s school/program bi-monthly 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 (e.g., tutoring, IEPs, 504 Plans, special accommodations).
• Expose and assist students to post-secondary pathways and planning such as college, accredited vocational programs, and internships starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible).
• Assist youth with obtaining working papers, if needed.
• Conduct career exploration activities with youth.
• Assist all youth to select at least one career development experience each year that aligns with their interests and academic background.
• Work with the youth and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways.
• Connect youth to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, for workforce development programs, vocational programs, and job application assistance.
• Connect youth to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or Mentored Internship Program).
• Provide persistence coaching to youth enrolled in any external program by checking in regularly.

Housing & Independent Living:

• Coordinate with Housing Specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when appropriate).
• Accompany youth to interviews and housing visits, when needed.
• Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support through the move-in process, and provide continued support with housing stability.

II. QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Degree:
Bachelor’s Degree; Extensive experience working with youth.

Other skills and requirements:

• Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred).
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), strong empathy, and passion for child welfare.
• Ability to respond to the developmental needs of children across different age groups.
• Ability to work with families with histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, abuse, and diverse cultural/socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work compassionately and without judgment with individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or are exploring their identity.
• Strong time management, diligence, resilience, and teamwork experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License required and/or timeframe for obtaining one.
• Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.
• Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.

Travel Required

Yes . Yes, 50 % of the Time

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.