Young Adult Success Coach

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls•Chicago, IL

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is hiring a full-time Young Adult Success Coach to support young adults living in its residential programs. The coach serves as an advocate, role model, guide, and primary support figure, helping young adults establish themselves in a secure environment and pursue their goals. The position focuses on building positive relationships, providing individualized support, and promoting young adults’ development and successful transitions toward program completion or independence. The coach collaborates with young adults, caregiving systems, program managers, interdisciplinary team members, and external contacts. The role includes coaching and teaching skills, supporting daily routines, coordinating and implementing treatment plans, accompanying youth in the community, and maintaining a structured, safe, and supportive environment. The schedule is full-time at 40 hours per week, on second shift, with flexibility to meet program and youth needs. The listed work location is Mercy Home’s West Loop boys’ campus in Chicago, Illinois.

Requirements

At least 21 years of age.
At least an associate degree in a behavioral or social science field.
At least two years of experience working with youth who have experienced developmental adversity and/or trauma is preferred in the posting’s requirements section.
Valid Illinois driver’s license, ability to drive a van, a clear driving record, and approval to drive through the Department of Children and Family Services.
Regular and predictable attendance.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and adjust it to meet program and youth needs.
Ability to work independently and as an active member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability and willingness to work respectfully and competently with clients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Desire to work with and enjoy being around young adults; good relationship and coaching skills; and an appropriate sense of humor.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, exercise judgment and discretion, accept feedback, consider other points of view, and learn new skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to read and interpret operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and professional journals, and to write reports and correspondence.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and ability to become proficient in other software packages and programs.
Ability to attend required Agency trainings and maintain necessary training compliance, including flexibility to attend daytime trainings or sessions outside regularly scheduled hours.
Ability to promote and practice de-escalation using Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) theory and practice.
Willingness to learn and integrate developmentally appropriate, attachment-informed, and trauma-responsive practices consistent with the Mercy Model of Care and ARC Framework.
Commitment to the Agency’s mission, values, and goals.

Nice To Haves

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification.

Responsibilities

Build therapeutic relationships with young adults and their caregiving systems.
Help young adults plan and achieve goals across relevant areas of their lives, providing individualized services and support.
Coach young adults, teach skills, and guide social problem-solving.
Refer youth for specialized services in coordination with Program Managers and consult with the relevant professionals.
Collaborate with the team to provide different levels of coaching, including assessment and planning, active coaching, maintenance coaching, and follow-up.
Participate in supervision with the Program Manager, case reviews, and team meetings that examine youth treatment and consistency with the Mercy Model.
Use effective, empathetic, nonjudgmental interaction skills, including active listening, encouragement, appropriate limit-setting, and praise.
Complete quarterly Individual Treatment Plans and implement them.
Communicate promptly and accurately with agency staff and external contacts, including employers, schools, families, supports, legal personnel, and housing programs.
Provide transportation for youth as necessary and accompany them in the community to develop skills across transitional domains.
Implement program structure and maintain a safe, supportive environment with consistent routines, expectations, boundaries, and accountability.
Support daily routines, including wake-up, appointments, meals, and programming.
Monitor and assess youth progress, adjusting plans as needed to support successful transitions to the program or independence.
Provide ongoing support and mentorship for youth’s personal and professional development.
Follow procedures for safe medication distribution and accurate documentation.
Use de-escalation and behavior-management techniques according to CPI protocol; restrain youth as necessary.
Learn, align with, and implement the Agency’s treatment philosophies, modalities, and practices.
Promote, support, and role-model CPI theory and practice with coworkers.
Attend required Agency trainings and maintain training compliance.