Youth Success Coach – Guilford and Durham County

About Communities In Schools of North Carolina:

At Communities In Schools, we are “all-in” for kids.

It is our passion– it is our mission. In North Carolina, 1 in 5 children under the age of 18 live in poverty leading to challenges outside the classroom that stand in the way of success inside the classroom. Communities In Schools works directly inside schools, building one-on-one relationships that empower students to succeed at school and in life. As the North Carolina State Office for Communities In Schools, we collaborate with 21 local affiliate organizations and deliver direct programs across the state. We make sure young people have the tools they need to succeed at school and transition successfully into continuing education and careers. We achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC, we value relationships, collaboration, learning, integrity and commitment.

Position Overview:

This position will be serving youth returning to Guilford and Durham County and will require travel to/from those communities and Youth Development Centers.

The Reentry to Resilience (R2R) Program of Communities In Schools of North Carolina supports youth and young adults committed to and released from Youth Development Centers (YDC) in Cabarrus, Edgecombe, Chatham, Lenoir, and Rockingham counties. The Youth Success Coach will engage with justice-involved youth/young adults from the time of their commitment to the YDC and manage their support systems as they transition back into their communities. Before release, the Coach will collaborate with families and schools to create effective reentry strategies.

The Youth Success Coach will work directly within the YDC, participating in monthly service planning meetings for each assigned youth and leading life skills groups. After release, the Coach will ensure the implementation of the Transition Intervention Plan, assisting youth in re-entering their schools and securing employment. Additionally, the Coach will support the therapeutic services recommended by risk-needs assessments conducted by Juvenile Court Counselors.

The Coach will focus on fostering academic, physical, and social-emotional growth, steering youth away from gang involvement and anti-social behaviors while promoting positive engagement opportunities that encourage cognitive and behavioral change. A strong advocate mindset is essential, as is a willingness to work with this demographic. This position requires travel, including attending in-person service meetings at YDCs and potentially court hearings. Home and community visits to youth may also be necessary. This is a grant-funded position with a specified duration.

Essential Functions:

•Attend monthly service planning meetings at the YDC for each assigned youth.

•Facilitate monthly life skills groups within the YDC and post-release.

•Assess pre-release needs at the YDC to identify strengths and challenges in education, social, emotional, familial, and physical areas, working with YDC staff to develop a post-release support plan.

•Coordinate pre-release planning and resource allocation for youth needs.

•Counsel and monitor youth regarding academics, attendance, behavior, and post-secondary options.

•Collaborate with school professionals, parents, and community personnel to address issues faced by adjudicated youth/young adults.

•Recognize and celebrate improvements among adjudicated students.

•Connect youth and families with appropriate CIS Student Support Specialists at schools for ongoing support.

•Collaborate with community agencies serving siblings and families of justice-involved youth/young adults.

•Document services provided to youth/young adults and maintain electronic case notes, attendance, behavior, and coursework metrics for monitoring progress and adjusting interventions.

•Engage in frequent movement around the YDC, with occasional lifting (up to 20 lbs) and pushing (up to 25 lbs).

•Travel is required, with travel constituting 75% of the role and occasional overnight trips.

Required Education/Experience:

•Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, human services, social work, counseling, public administration, or a related field.

•Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly with justice-involved youth/young adults.

Necessary Skills:

•Strong interpersonal skills

•Self-motivated with decision-making abilities

•Sensitivity to the perspectives of personnel within YDCs, schools, and other agencies, fostering collaborative partnerships based on CIS principles.

•Familiarity with relevant resources and a flexible approach to dynamic work environments.

•Excellent oral and written communication skills, with professional presentation abilities.

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office and effective time management skills.

•Valid NC driver’s license.

•Professional presentation skills with both large and small groups

•Computer skills to include working knowledge of Microsoft Office software

•Ability to manage time, paperwork and people effectively

Preferred:

•Knowledge of youth behavioral issues and community resources.

•Willingness to build a supportive network for justice-involved youth.

•Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits and termination of employment.

Perks:

We offer outstanding benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 403(b) and MORE!!! We offer paid vacation, sick time and holidays. Our team is friendly, fun and collaborative.