Life Coach (Social Worker/Counselor)

Acceleration Academies focuses on providing research-backed strategies for re-engaging and educating community students who have abandoned education before high school graduation. Acceleration Academies begins with assessment of specific academic needs of each individual, and ultimate development of research-backed strategies for meeting those academic needs—through personalized, face-to-face, blended learning and group instruction, delivered over flexible hours. Each student who attains content mastery earns a high school diploma from his or her original school district tuition-free and in accordance with all State and District requirements.

Position Title: Life Coach

Reports To: District Director

FTE: 1.0

Location: Bethel Acceleration Academy

Role Expectations

Life Coaches serve as one of the learning resources for our Graduation Candidates (GC), collaborating within a team environment to (1) support GCs both academically and personally through a case management model, (2) develop learning pathways, behavior, and transition plans to improve GC achievement, and (3) ensure that every GC masters the content on the path to high school graduation and post-secondary success.

Role Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher (Master’s degree preferred)
• Years of Experience: 3-5 years +
• Certification: Licensure in counseling, social work, or family therapy preferred
• Background Check: Demonstration of a clear state and federal criminal history

Role Responsibilities

Enrollment

• Support new GC enrollment through recruitment and engagement efforts
• Assist with the implementation of GC Orientation
• Collaborate in the development of Personalized Learning Plans(PLP) for GCs
• Guide the GC in the development of his/her schedule to meet attendance requirements
• Assign courses in accordance with the PLP for GCs

Retention

• Collaborate with other staff to ensure that GCs are in attendance as scheduled
• Actively participate in the Retention Cycle Protocol
• Assist with addressing non-academic barriers that impede the GC from attending the academy
• Advocate and support site-level incentive programs
• Take the lead on school-wide events that aid in student success and achievements

Academics

• Demonstrate skills in analyzing and using data for instructional decision-making
• Document and track GC progress, assign academic interventions, support on time course completions as determined by the PLP for GCs
• Maintain all required documentation for graduation including course completion, GPA, and standardized testing requirements
• Implement weekly workshops that focus on non-academic topics

Advocacy

• Lead social-emotional groups and individual advisory sessions that supports consistent communication between the Graduation Candidate, their parents/guardians, and the Graduation Candidate support team
• Facilitate communications with community organizations to support the removal of non-academic barriers for GCs (health, social services, mental health, law enforcement)
• Complete all required data formulation for all AA reports, including local, state, and federal compliance of all ESE and ELL programs

Perform other related duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)
• Proficient understanding of ESE (Exceptional Student Education), ELL (English Language Learner), and behavior intervention practices
• Experience working in a non-traditional school setting and/or with youth who may be considered at-risk
• Demonstrates a commitment and passion for supporting high school aged youth, who have disengaged from a traditional school setting, by creating opportunities for academic and personal breakthroughs
• Experience reviewing transcripts and general understanding of graduation requirements
• Experience providing supports, interventions, and counseling services with high school aged youth
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of and comfort with the use of technology in an educational setting.
• Experience with any of the following: project-based learning, instructional coaching, portfolio assessment, a competency-based education model, cooperative learning, integration of technology and cross-disciplinary learning, alternative assessments and integrating school to career experiences into the curriculum

Additional Qualifications

• Displays ability to diplomatically diffuse tension and deal with intense situations
• Adapts to changing conditions in a fast-paced setting
• Demonstrates the ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Communicates and builds relationships with internal and external constituencies
• Identifies and implements strategies to improve individual and group productivity and content mastery
• Uses excellent listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal and writing skills
• Demonstrates superior time-management, organizational skills, and accurate record keeping
• Accepts personal responsibility and seeks feedback from colleagues and administration
• Respects personal privacy and maintains the confidentiality of privileged information
• Thorough knowledge of the following:
  • Microsoft Office Suite of applications
  • Google Suite of applications, e.g., Google mail; Google drive, etc.
  • Mobile technologies, e.g., smart phones, tablets, etc.
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Upholds Acceleration Academies’ policies and follows guidelines and procedures
• Develops positive rapport with staff, GCs, and the Acceleration Academy community

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment and Work Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is consistent with that of a collaborative school environment.

Acceleration Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. It is understood that other related duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all aspects of the position, described below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.