Life Skills Coach (Goldie Maple Academy - Far Rockaway, NY)

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC•New York, NY

1d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Life Skills Coach, listed as a Youthlink Activity Specialist, facilitates social-emotional learning and wellness programming for high school youth. The role supports young people’s personal growth, resilience, and overall well-being by delivering stress-management and wellness workshops using NYC Department of Health-designed curriculum and other approved social-emotional learning resources. The specialist creates supportive spaces where teens can develop coping strategies, strengthen self-awareness, build healthy relationships, and navigate challenges. The role also provides mentorship and follow-up support to youth experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other social-emotional concerns, and makes referrals to appropriate mental health services when needed. The specialist works with program leadership, school personnel, mental health professionals, community partners, caregivers, and other program staff. They follow support plans for students with IEPs or medical conditions, respond appropriately to time-sensitive mental health needs, maintain appropriate documentation, and help ensure programming reflects participating teens’ needs. The role reports to the Teen Supervisor and is supported by the Youthlink Director. This is a part-time position requiring 15 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, three hours per day. The specialist must attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins, complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training, and attend scheduled staff meetings, Department of Health coaching meetings, and professional development throughout the year. The role is based at Goldie Maple Academy in Far Rockaway, New York.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Currently enrolled in college coursework in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Education, Public Health, or a related field.
Able to work 15 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, three hours per day.
Able to attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
Able to attend scheduled staff meetings, Department of Health coaching meetings, and professional development throughout the year.
Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Open to learning and growing, including learning mental health, social-emotional learning, and special-needs inclusion skills and integrating them into programming.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience working with high school-aged youth in after-school, mentoring, educational, community-based, or youth development settings.
Knowledge of adolescent development, social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, and youth wellness practices.
Experience facilitating workshops, group discussions, or activities focused on stress management, coping skills, wellness, or personal development.
Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese.

Responsibilities

Foster social and emotional competencies and mental and physical well-being in a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
Facilitate stress-management, wellness, and life-skills workshops using NYC Department of Health-designed curriculum and other approved social-emotional learning resources.
Support youth resilience, coping skills, personal growth, and overall well-being.
Provide mentorship and follow-up support to youth experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other social-emotional concerns.
Collaborate with program staff, school personnel, mental health professionals, and community partners to support youth wellness and maintain appropriate documentation.
Be aware of students with IEPs and medical conditions, and follow support plans to help students with special needs thrive.
Respond appropriately to time-sensitive mental health needs, including suicide prevention and grief or loss related to death or incarceration of a family member.
Refer youth to appropriate mental health services as needed.
Work cooperatively with Group Leaders, professional staff, teachers, and other program and school staff.
Build positive relationships with youth and caregivers and serve as a role model in demeanor, communication, and behavior.
Attend meetings with staff, caregivers, volunteers, and community residents as needed.
Interact with caregivers and maintain open lines of communication.
Attend 15 hours of orientation before programming begins and complete 30 hours of Building Resiliency in Youth training.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, Department of Health coaching meetings, and professional development throughout the year.