Career Coach - Fresh Start in Birmingham

Organizational Overview

STRIVE is a national leader in workforce development solutions, empowering individuals to discover their best future selves through innovative, evidence-based career training and holistic, lifelong support. STRIVE partners with employers, funders and community organizations to close gaps in workforce needs and help local economies thrive. Founded in East Harlem, NY, in 1984, STRIVE has grown from its roots to now offer programs in locations across the country. For more than 40 years, STRIVE has been a catalyst for economic change and prosperity in underserved communities. Our tuition-free skills and job readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching prepare students for careers in high-growth industries such as healthcare, construction and logistics. With a proven pathway to possible, 80% of STRIVE students graduate, 76% attain employment and 70% retain employment long-term. Looking to the future, STRIVE has embarked on an ambitious ten-year growth plan to increase its impact in more locations nationwide, aiming to serve up to 10,000 individuals each year by 2033. We meet individuals where they are, providing free programs tailored to adults 18+, including those impacted by the justice system. At STRIVE, there is always a path forward.

Summary

Under the direction of the Fresh Start Program Manager, the Career Coach will support STRIVE’s Fresh Start Program. The program will incorporate evidence-based interventions such as moral resonation therapy, motivational interviewing, legal services, and occupational skills training. This position will use STRIVE's proven employment model to service individuals, with the goal of assisting men and women reentering society to attain and sustain employment and ultimately diminish the rate of recidivism.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective coaching strategies to help participants overcome challenges and barriers and identify strengths, advising on how to leverage strengths and challenges to secure employment or excel in their chosen career path.
• Provide short-term counseling and work with program participants to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence through a strengths-based approach.
• Provide information on suitable career paths based on participants' skills, qualifications, interests, and experience based on assessments and providing feedback on results.
• Maintain case notes, files, and client database as specified by the Fresh Start Program.
• Coordinate supports that will assist the participant with ongoing attendance and participation in program activities, assessing needs through case management principles and making referrals to community resources as appropriate.
• Refer applicants, participants, graduates, and community residents to programs (e.g. housing services, long-term counseling, child-care, substance use counseling, mental health counseling, social services and legal services) that can assist them to resolve issues preventing them from participating in the labor market.
• Work with other key personnel focused on STRIVE Fresh Start to ensure the success of program participants.
• Work with other STRIVE staff to maintain and update agency’s resource/referral directory.
• Maintain contact with work site supervisors to support STRIVE participants, being responsive to concerns.
• Develop, review and edit participant resumes to ensure trainees are prepared for job interviews and conduct follow-up assessments.
• Work with program participants to develop written explanation, supporting documentation (such as court records) for conviction(s) and references.
• Obtain ongoing training in counseling techniques and social services in general as provided by STRIVE’s national Program & Impact Team and/or external training sessions as budget allows.
• Stay current on new methodologies and studies in the social work field.
• Provide follow-up supportive services according to Fresh Start program standards and guidelines.
• Provide incremental retention follow-up up to two years on all participants who completed training.
• Maintain accurate records of student data and progress in STRIVE’s performance management system.
• Collect participant documentation and acquire verification as needed, including income, housing, identity to ensure program eligibility (pending funding requirements).
• Completes other tasks as assigned or needed.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required or comparable work experience.
• Professional experience with the re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals and adult development required.
• At least two years of counseling experience required.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with criminal justice systems, programs and issues.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of public and non-profit partners is a must.
• Must have outstanding communication and writing skills; solid proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• High level of comfort using and interpreting data reports to guide program service delivery.
• Commitment to leveraging data and supporting a data-driven culture at STRIVE.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is helpful.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits Program
• 401k with employer match
• 20 days of PTO (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• Sick leave
• Up to $500 annual professional development reimbursement
• Paid holidays (including week of Christmas)
• Early closing each Friday during the Summers
• And numerous additional benefits!

Location

This position will be in person five days per week in our Birmingham office. STRIVE considers applicants for all positions without regard to race; color; religion; gender; national origin; age; sexual orientation; marital or veteran status; the presence of a medical condition, genetic information or handicap, unrelated to performing the tasks of the job; or any other legally protected status.