Self-Sufficiency Coach, ACHIEVEability

Posted by on January 02, 2011

Self-Sufficiency Coach – Counselor! Organizer! Motivator! Guide!

Posted on: December 20, 2010

Posted by: ACHIEVEability

Self-Sufficiency Coach: Organizer! Motivator! Guide!

The bottom line is helping families achieve results for the benefit of themselves and for the good of society.

Help break the cycle of poverty for low income, single parent, formerly homeless families. Be a self-sufficiency coach at ACHIEVEability. If you are an organized, hardworking, multi-tasking, outcomes-driven and smart individual with a passion for making a difference, who craves variety and intensity, and who values education and accountability, this may be the job for you.

ACHIEVEability is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive and intensive support and challenge for families so that they can break the generational cycle of poverty, maximize their potential and achieve self-sufficiency. Education is the locus of our approach. Families at ACHIEVEability pursue college or vocational/technical career training while being employed, developing life skills, repairing credit if necessary, building assets and broadening their horizons through travel, cultural experiences and sports events.

Responsibilities:

* Helps families identify and build on their strengths, talents and assets
* Helps families overcome obstacles to holistic and lasting self-sufficiency
* Helps families envision goals and map concrete steps for achieving those goals, with a focus on the areas of education, parenting, finances and employment and personal development
* Helps families make and track progress with their plans and remain engaged and compliant with ACHIEVEability’s program requirements
* Documents progress
* Guides families when they traverse unfamiliar territory or different situations
* Motivates families when progress slows or is at a standstill
* Challenges families when they are not giving their best effort
* Celebrates families when they succeed with baby steps or major accomplishments

In the context of a structured goal plan for each family, you will work with families to do whatever it takes to help them help themselves. On one day you may be helping a parent obtain financial aid for college, helping another parent make her budget work and repair her credit, sharing with another parent some tips on cleaning her refrigerator, then preparing case notes and ending the day by doing a workshop on workplace etiquette. Then on another day, you might chaperone a group of children to a baseball game, while in the back of your mind thinking of plans for the summer family field trip and the possible sources of support for that activity. You will work with a team of ACHIEVEability staff as well as network with outside resources so that you can help families maximize their chances of success.

Specific tasks include the following: interview and assess prospective participants; provide ongoing assessments of each participant’s skills and needs; assist participants in identifying and securing resources; conduct home visits; assist participants with developing and adhering to budgets and debt reduction plans; assist with recertification matters; assist in developing organizational policies regarding participant issues; organized and facilitate workshops and group meetings; conduct home inspections and complete inspection reports; meet weekly with participants who are dealing with specific issues; document contacts with participants in their files and on the database; develop and maintain links with other professionals in other self-sufficiency areas and complementary programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bachelor’s degree, preferably with experience or training in psychology, social work or human services
* Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
* Passion for helping the disadvantaged, even it means providing tough love
* Excellent interpersonal skills; Strong motivational skills
* Strong sense of responsibility, initiative, follow through and accountability
* Excellent organizational, administrative and time management skills
* Excellent math and language skills
* Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, Internet and databases
* Ability to successfully pass background checks (criminal, child abuse, drug test, college transcripts, college diploma)
* Valid driver’s license, auto insurance and registered vehicle available for use at work
* Ability and willingness to work evenings and on Saturdays
* Comfortable working and doing home visits in West Philadelphia

How to apply

E-mail to [email protected] the following items:
(1) your resume
(2) a cover letter indicating (a) your interest in the self-sufficiency coach position and the reason for your interest, (b) your philosophy about helping families in need, (c) where you heard about this position, (d) your salary requirement and (e) the names and contact information of 3 references. Indicate “Self-Sufficiency Coach Application” on the subject line of your e-mail.