Independent Living Coach

D.A. Blodgett
21 To 21 (USD) Hourly
United States, Michigan, Grand Rapids
2172 Dean Lake Avenue Northeast (Show on map)
Jan 03, 2026
Independent Living Plus Program Coach Job Summary and Job Description JOB SUMMARY Job Title: Independent Living Plus Program Coach Department: Campus Programs Reports To: ILP Program Supervisor Beginning Pay Range: $21.00 Classification: Full Time Hourly Non-Eligible D.A. Blodgett- St. John's D.A. Blodgett- St. John's provides a continuum of care with comprehensive services, including counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring and residential care. These programs are built on our core belief, backed by research, that as long as children can be safe, they do best when they are with their families. D.A. Blodgett- St. John's primarily serves children, youth and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, and some programming throughout the State of Michigan. D.A. Blodgett- St. John's is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all children, all families and all individuals. MISSION STATEMENT: To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support. VISION: A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family. VALUES: Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work. Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong. Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement. Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results. Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking. Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision. SANCTUARY COMMITMENTS: Nonviolence: Maintaining safety for all members of the community. Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions so we don't hurt ourselves or others. Social Learning: Together we accomplish more, we care for one another. Democracy: Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote. Open Communication: Respecting and sharing ideas of our team. Social Responsibility: Say what you mean, don't be mean when you say it. Growth & Change: Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve. POSITION SUMMARY The Independent Living Plus Coach (ILPC) will engage with youth between the ages of 16-19 as they transition to independence. To be successful in this role, the ILPC will maintain a mindset of opportunity and independence as they support youth to achieve their independent living goals and engage in the community. The ILPC will be responsible for individual and group coaching, assessment of youth independent living skills and knowledge, referrals to community resources, community advocacy, and more. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Facilitate formal and informal support for youth in the ILP program to ensure progress and achievement to independent living goals. Empower youth to navigate challenging situations by utilizing the appropriate skills and resources. Maintain timely, regular, and accurate coaching documentation of ILP youth sessions and activities in the database system. Ensure timely and regular completion of Casey Life Skills Assessment (CLSA) and ILP Plan and Contract (DHS 181). Incorporate assessment results in achieving independent living goals. Complete a weekly ILP log documenting actions and tasks related to a specific goal or outcome along with hours spent with each youth. Conduct quarterly meetings with the foster care case manager, youth, ILP program supervisor and any supportive persons identified by the youth to review the CLSA (pre and post test results) and DHS 181. Promote community interactions and opportunities to develop independent living skills. Maintain a flexible work schedule that allows for the provision of ILP support services during non-typical business hours. Attend and successfully complete all required agency training sessions and team meetings. Conduct yourself in a manner to positively reflect upon the agency both on and off duty. Abide by all policies and practices of the agency. Complete other reasonable assignments, which may be made by a supervisor. Supervision Received: Specific Direction - Follows established work procedures. Receives periodic checks for performance. Refers unique questions/conditions to immediate supervisor. Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Must possess a minimum of an Associate degree in Human Services or minimum of 60 semester hours of 95 quarter hours in a related field of study. Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field preferred. Experience Requirements: one year of experience preferred working in child welfare, homeless youth services, or youth mental health services. Strong understanding of youth development factors. Strong ties and understanding of community resources. Strong case management skills. Creative and flexible nature. Basic computer skills. Must successfully meet and maintain driving criteria. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Reliable transportation is required as you will be utilizing your own personal vehicle for visiting youth conducting coaching sessions in the community. CORE COMPETENCIES Working Under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure when exposed to stress Communication: Ability to effectively receive and express ideas, both written and verbal; using clear and concise vocabulary and active listening skills. Ability to communicate with small and large groups and ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences. Reliability: Ability to be dependable, trustworthy, and committed to doing the best job possible and completing work in a timely and consistent manner. Planning and Organizing: ability to set priorities and allocate resources properly to effectively achieve work responsibilities and objectives. Problem Solving: Ability to recognize courses of action to handle problems, gathering and organizing information, identifying cause and effect relationship, and applying contingency plans to solve those problems. Adaptability: Ability to fit into a changing work environment, priorities or organization needs by staying open-minded and being able to change based on new information. Customer Service: A desire to serve others by focusing efforts on listening and responding effectively to questions, providing services, and evaluating customer PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 5+ hours per day Work in stationary position Use hands/fingers to handle or feel Reach with hands and arms Communicate with carious parties Visual acuity Read and understand written word Operate computer and general office machines 2-5 hours per day Move about work area Drive/Travel Less than 2 hours per day Ascend/Descend (stairs/ladder/ect) Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Detect flavors or smells Environmental Conditions: 5+ hours per day: Office environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals or hazardous equipment DABSJ strives to be a fully inclusive organization as we support a diverse group of children and families. We are building a diverse team that represents our customers and our community, and recognize that each of us brings a unique perspective to the organization. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences. The diversity and differences of each team member, foster parent, adoptive parent, child, and family make us #DABSJstrongertogether for children and families. DABSJ is an equal opportunity, at-will employer, and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment. DABSJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists; culture, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally-protected characteristics as required by law. This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company's at will employment status.