Compass House Job Description
Title: Independent Living Coordinator
Summary of Duties:
The Independent Living Coordinator supports Compass House youth in building the skills necessary to live independently and successfully transition into adulthood. This role combines individualized assessment, one-on-one and group skill-building, employment readiness coaching, and coordination of community resources. The coordinator also oversees donations and resources to ensure youth have access to essential items.
Accountability:
The Independent Living Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Youth Services, who provides ongoing training, supervision, and mentoring.
Responsibilities and Examples of Work
Assessment & Planning
- Administer pre-tests, post-tests, and assessment tools to evaluate client skills in areas such as housing, money management, employment readiness, health, parenting, recreation, and cultural awareness.
- Collaborate with each client and their Case Manager to create a written Independent Living Plan tailored to individual strengths, needs, and goals.
Independent Living Skills Development
- Teach and model daily living skills such as budgeting, cooking, meal planning, nutrition, and household management.
- Provide instruction in housing navigation, including apartment searching, understanding tenant rights, and moving logistics.
- Support youth in accessing community resources, including healthcare, mental health services, childcare, and recreational activities.
- Facilitate cultural awareness by encouraging participation in community events, field trips, and discussions around diversity and inclusion.
Employment & Education Support
- Assist clients with job searches, applications, resume writing, and interview preparation.
- Provide coaching on workplace expectations, professional behavior, and career planning.
- Support clients pursuing education and training opportunities, including guidance on college applications and financial aid.
Counseling & Group Work
- Facilitate group sessions and workshops that build peer support and life skills.
- Utilize evidence-based approaches such as role-playing, modeling, and strengths-based counseling to encourage growth and independence.
- Provide one-on-one support, including home visits and field trips (e.g., to apartments, supermarkets, or potential job sites) to help clients practice skills in real-life settings.
Resource & Donation Management
- Organize, track, and distribute donations (clothing, personal care items, household goods, etc.) to ensure client needs are met.
- Coordinate monthly “moving days” for clients transitioning into independent housing.
- Build and maintain relationships with area landlords to expand housing opportunities for clients.
Collaboration & Program Support
- Work closely with staff, volunteers, and interns to support client needs and program operations.
- Train, mentor, and supervise student interns and volunteers as assigned.
- Share relevant information with staff in a professional, confidential manner.
- Maintain accurate documentation for in-house records as well as required reports for DSS and OCFS.
- Participate actively in staff meetings, trainings, and supervisory sessions.
Schedule
- Schedule is generally Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with flexibility required for emergencies.
- Position requires frequent fieldwork and regular use of a reliable automobile.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or related field (required).
- Minimum of one year paid experience working with at-risk youth or in a related field.
- Strong communication and group facilitation skills.
- Ability to build rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries with youth.
- Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and oversee donation systems.
- Compassion, patience, and commitment to empowering youth toward independence.
- Must be able to pass NYS Background Check
- Must have valid Drivers License and access to a personal vehicle.
Pay and Benefits
· Health and Dental Insurance
· Paid Time Off
· $20/hr.
About Us
Compass House was founded in 1972 as a homeless shelter. Today along with the Emergency Shelter, we operate a Resource Center, and a Rapid Re-Housing Program. Our mission is to provide runaway, homeless and street youth with safe shelter and services, through a voluntary and mutually agreed-upon process, in an environment that supports dignity, respect and self-reliance. We serve approximately 300 youth at our shelter annually and an additional 300 youth at our Resource Center.
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