Life Skills Coach

Research Foundation of The City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) invites applications for an ACCES Pre-ETS Life Skills Coach at the LaGuardia C.C. campus in New York City.

The role centers on helping students with disabilities overcome social and academic challenges and build work-readiness skills in classroom and campus settings. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, you will deliver individualized coaching, run workshops, and develop tailored plans using universal design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Familiarity with career services and career support initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Program Manager to align coaching efforts with program goals.
• Provide individualized coaching sessions to students based on their unique needs.
• Facilitate workshops and group sessions to address various life skills, work readiness skills and social interaction topics.
• Develop coaching plans that incorporate universal design principles and are tailored to each student’s requirements.
• Assist students in setting SMART goals that promote personal and academic growth.
• Utilize positive psychology and motivational interviewing techniques to empower students.
• Maintain accurate records of coaching sessions and student progress.
• Regularly communicate with the program team to assess the effectiveness of coaching strategies.
• Stay informed about best practices in executive functioning coaching and interventions for students on the Autism Spectrum and those with other executive functioning issues.
• Maintain accurate data for Autism Coordinator on session summary notes, referrals and activity logs for monthly report production.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational abilities

Experience with disabilities

Career services familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Education, or related field

Master’s preferred

Job description

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

LAGUARDIA C. C.

Bargaining Unit:

Yes

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the ACCES Pre-ETS Life Skills Coach is responsible for working with students eligible for the ACCES Pre-Employment Program who identify as students with disabilities or who may require post‑secondary accommodation needs. This role primarily focuses on addressing social and academic challenges related to social discomfort and work‑based readiness skills, both in the classroom and across the campus environment.

Key areas of emphasis include:

• Executive Functioning
  • Assisting students in effective studying techniques
  • Teaching organizational skills for paper writing, assignment tracking, and appointment management
  • Guiding students in planning for long‑term assignments
• Social Interaction
  • Supporting students in understanding their social interaction style
  • Encouraging participation in campus clubs if desired
  • Facilitating the formation of friendships on campus if desired
  • Developing group collaboration skills
• Self‑Advocacy
  • Coaching students on how to seek assistance
  • Encouraging students to identify their needs and communicate them effectively
• Self‑Regulation
  • Assisting students in adapting to changes in schedules or plans
  • Fostering problem‑solving skills
  • Providing strategies to manage emotions, enabling continuous engagement in classes and coursework while pursuing personal objectives

The coaching program employs the principles of universal design, employing SMART goals in conjunction with positive psychology and motivational interviewing techniques. The coaching process empowers clients to establish their own goals, allowing for personalized and impactful outcomes .

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with Program Manager to align coaching efforts with program goals.
• Provide individualized coaching sessions to students based on their unique needs.
• Facilitate workshops and group sessions to address various life skills, work readiness skills and social interaction topics.
• Develop coaching plans that incorporate universal design principles and are tailored to each student’s requirements.
• Assist students in setting SMART goals that promote personal and academic growth.
• Utilize positive psychology and motivational interviewing techniques to empower students.
• Maintain accurate records of coaching sessions and student progress.
• Regularly communicate with the program team to assess the effectiveness of coaching strategies.
• Stay informed about best practices in executive functioning coaching and interventions for students on the Autism Spectrum and those with other executive functioning issues.
• Maintain accurate data for Autism Coordinator on session summary notes, referrals and activity logs for monthly report production.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Familiarity with career services and career support initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities.

Pay Range:

Minimum - Maximum: $60,000-$65,000

RFCUNY Benefits

RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals (link to https://www.rfcuny.org/RFWebsite)

About the Research Foundation

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post‑award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post‑award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub‑awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub‑awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E‑Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.