Community Engagement Coach

Mansfield Hall•Burlington, VT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Community Engagement Coach at Mansfield Hall, you will help neurodivergent college students build the social, independent living, and community engagement skills needed to navigate college and emerging adulthood with greater confidence. You will provide direct support to students as they manage daily routines, participate in the Mansfield Hall community, build relationships, and work toward the goals outlined in their individualized Student MAPs, or Making Action Plans. This role goes beyond supervising activities or maintaining a residential environment. You will actively coach students through social interactions, emotional challenges, schedule management, self-care, community participation, and the everyday responsibilities that contribute to greater independence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, psychology, education, social work, human services, or a related field.
At least one year of direct experience coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or supporting students or young adults with diverse learning and social needs.
Ability to build professional, trusting relationships with students, families, colleagues, campus partners, and community service providers.
Understanding of the academic, social, emotional, and independent living challenges that students may encounter in a post-secondary environment.
Comfort making sound decisions independently while also communicating and collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrated self-advocacy, ability to establish appropriate boundaries, and maintain professional relationships with both students and colleagues.
Ability to monitor and support a dynamic residential environment that may include up to 50 students.
Clear, respectful, and professional communication, including during emotionally heightened or challenging situations.

Nice To Haves

Belief that students are capable and providing meaningful support while encouraging students to make decisions, solve problems, and take responsibility for their own growth.
Enjoyment of coaching in real time, comfortable helping students work through challenges as they occur, whether related to communication, scheduling, conflict, self-care, or community participation.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond thoughtfully to emotional situations, social misunderstandings, or unexpected concerns without escalating the situation.
Ability to balance empathy with accountability, validating a student’s perspective while still reinforcing expectations, boundaries, and follow-through.
Socially observant, noticing when a student may be struggling, withdrawing, misunderstanding a situation, or needing additional support.
Comfort facilitating connection and helping students participate in activities, engage with peers, and become active members of their community.
Flexibility to adapt to changing student needs, shifting priorities, interruptions, and the natural unpredictability of a residential environment.
Value of collaboration, communicating important information to colleagues and understanding that strong student support requires coordination across academic, social, and independent living areas.
Seriousness about documentation, understanding that timely, accurate records help the broader team recognize patterns, track progress, and provide consistent support.
Enjoyment of working with young adults, energized by helping students develop confidence, life skills, healthy relationships, and greater independence.

Responsibilities

Provide direct coaching and support to residential students as they navigate daily schedules, community expectations, social situations, and individual goals.
Help students follow the routines and action steps established in their Student MAPs, including goals related to self-care, social communication, schedule management, and community engagement.
Build positive, professional relationships with students while providing encouragement, accountability, feedback, and clear boundaries.
Address and de-escalate student well-being concerns, including heightened emotional situations, interpersonal misunderstandings, and social conflicts.
Facilitate positive social interactions in common spaces, during meals, and at community activities and events.
Encourage and coordinate extracurricular activities within Mansfield Hall and throughout the surrounding community.
Help create an engaging, inclusive, and welcoming residential environment where students feel connected and supported.
Identify student successes, challenges, and areas where additional coaching or intervention may be needed.
Provide regular feedback to students regarding their progress, choices, communication, and follow-through with individual plans.
Encourage students to build independence and take increasing ownership of their schedules, responsibilities, relationships, and daily living skills.
Contribute observations and relevant information to the development and continued refinement of student plans.
Monitor and document student progress accurately and consistently using Mansfield Hall’s Microsoft-based systems.
Manage the staff phone and collaborate appropriately with Directors during on-call situations throughout evenings and weekends.
Assist with meal setup and takedown and help maintain organized, welcoming common spaces.
Collaborate with the Director of Student Life, Director-level staff, and Mansfield Hall leadership to provide coordinated and high-quality student programming.
Contribute to the overall functioning of the Mansfield Hall living and learning community by responding flexibly to student and program needs.