Training and Coaching Specialist

About the Organization:

New Moms strengthens families by partnering with young moms as they progress toward housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being. New Moms is a nonprofit organization with a $8 million budget and a staff of nearly 60. At New Moms, young moms, 24 and under, take powerful first steps toward economic mobility and family well-being. Our 2-Generation approach puts families experiencing poverty in control of their goals and unleashes their potential. New Moms’ headquarters is located on the west side of Chicago in the Austin neighborhood. Our social enterprise, Bright Endeavors, which provides paid transitional jobs for young moms, is located nearby in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. We also have an office in Oak Park serving the near western suburbs.

Our Commitment to Equity:

New Moms prioritizes racial equity as a strategic and organizational imperative. Strong candidates will be committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values into their work goals and will be evaluated on their impact.

About the Job:

This position is responsible for facilitating the paid transitional work-based component of New Moms’ job training program. New Moms job training program is a comprehensive program that includes career exploration, job readiness skills, financial literacy, and paid transitional work to prepare young moms ages 16-24 for advanced education, employment and job retention. This position also facilitates contextualized literacy and numeracy lessons in a light manufacturing setting at the social enterprise to bolster the paid transitional work skills. They work as part of a larger team to ensure the success of participants so they can maximize the training, coaching, and job placement and retention supports available. The Training and Coaching Specialist will champion all New Moms values including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in both strategic planning and performance. This position is based at our Bright Endeavors location in East Garfield Park. (Also see COVID-19 Modifications below). Starting Salary: $44,000-$46,800 DOQ

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Train and coach Production Assistants on practical application of professional skills in the workplace, to ensure they are maximizing their skills and are excited and prepared for the job market upon completion of program
• Provide ongoing professional support to Production Assistants by working closely with other team members of the Workforce Development team, tracking commitment logs, goals, providing essential feedback, addressing & working with Production Assistants to resolve barriers and conflicts, while maintaining program fidelity
• Provide group and individualized coaching and guidance on job readiness skills, smart goals, and progress towards personal, career and/or education goals via daily and weekly evaluation tools
• Learn and demonstrate mastery of candle production – including recipes, optimum blending temperatures, wicks, finishing, and use of all relevant equipment
• Track and report biweekly Production Assistant payroll timesheets, making real-time adjustments and managing all paperwork and electronic databases related to payroll
• Administer CASAS tests and use the results to implement contextualized literacy training on-site at our social enterprise, Bright Endeavors, to increase participants’ math and reading skills
• Lead all pre- and post-shift team-building, learning, and reflection activities
• Track and record all Production Assistant training, coaching, attendance, and progress in New Moms’ ETO database
• Maintain efficient and productive manufacturing pace to meet or exceed production goals and deadlines
• Work collaboratively and efficiently with the Operations Coordinator while maintaining and modeling Bright Endeavors program fidelity
• Manage incident reports and ensure that facilities meet all cleanliness and safety standards
• Host orientations for all incoming Production Assistant cohorts
• Maintain orderly participant logs including but not limited to attendance, locker rental, and uniforms in an orderly and timely fashion
• Collaborates with workforce team to address participant performance issues, barriers to success, and celebrate achievement
• Represents New Moms in a positive and constructive manner in all dealings with participants, staff, and in all public forums
• Upholds the New Moms’ Executive Skills Coaching approach which is grounded in racial equity
• Regularly participates in agency and program staff meetings, as well as professional group seminars or conferences to enhance professional knowledge and job skills
• Supervises interns, as determined by supervisor
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in area of counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, children and families or related human service field preferred
• More than one year of teaching/training experience with adults or youth preferred
• Relevant experience in the area of case management or Workforce Development programming preferred
• Outstanding interpersonal and coaching skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience Microsoft operating systems and database management systems
• Valid driver’s license, with safe driving record and valid insurance
• Access to a car and/or ability to use public transportation

COVID-19 Modifications:

• New Moms employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption through the Director of HR.
• Work hours take place on site at our Bright Endeavors location. However, candidates must have ability to work remotely as needed. A laptop and cell phone will be provided by New Moms.
• Must complete health screen prior to reporting to office and adhere to all New Moms COVID-19 safety procedures.

New Moms’ Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; matching on retirement savings up to 3%; 14 paid holidays; and generous paid time off. We also offer several unique benefits to New Moms: discounts on Bright Endeavors products, free optional spiritual direction services, and half days on Fridays in the summer. Our Flexible Work Options policy allows for staff to work some hours remotely once training is complete. For licensed employees, you will receive over 20 free CEU's during onboarding and an additional 1.5 free CEU's/month throughout employment. We promote professional development and provide time for you to attend other external trainings opportunities as well.