LIFT Coach

LIFT Coach

Chicago, Illinois (Hybrid: part virtual and part in-person)

Position: LIFT Coach

Reports To: Program Manager, Coaching

Terms Of Engagement: 16-24 hours/week, full year

What Is LIFT?

LIFT is a national nonprofit on a mission to invest in families to break the cycle of poverty. We believe that racial and gender wealth gaps stem from structural inequities that keep them trapped in a cycle where poverty, like wealth, is passed from generation to generation. At LIFT, we interrupt the generational transmission of poverty by partnering with parents of young children to build well-being, financial strength, and social connections or as we like to put it, Hope, Money, and Love. LIFT's one-on-one coaching program empowers parents to set and achieve goals that put families on the path toward economic mobility such as going back to school, improving credit, eliminating debt, or securing a living wage. In addition to coaching, LIFT parents also receive direct cash infusions to reinvest in their families and goals.

LIFT is at an exciting moment in its organizational trajectory. We aim to scale our impact by 1) making continuous improvements to our direct service model, 2) partnering with health care, postsecondary education, early child development, and government organizations to deliver LIFT's model and influence change in those systems, and 3) influencing policy through the amplification of the voices of parents living in poverty on issues impacting their lives and communities. We are looking for team players who thrive in a growth environment of continuous improvement; are committed to LIFT's work to combat intergenerational poverty and expand opportunity for families; and uphold LIFT's values of diversity, equity, excellence, hope, and relationships.

Position Overview

The LIFT Coach is responsible for facilitating one-on-one coaching relationships with parents to support them in achieving self-determined career and financial goals. The LIFT Coach engages parents in goal setting and action planning, monitors parents' progress, and provides accountability and encouragement to parents over time. The LIFT Coach also connects parents to relevant community resources and information, and guides them as they practice new behaviors, actions, and skills necessary to reach goals. Finally, the LIFT Coach will additionally provide support on LIFT other projects, services, and parent recruitment efforts, as needed. Coaches serve a 12-month engagement with LIFT, which includes the academic term practicum as well as a summer internship either before or following the completion of the practicum.

Overall compensation for coaches varies based on the total number of hours and weeks coaches participate in the internship with LIFT in addition to completing their academic practicum. For reference, below is a breakdown of how coaches were compensated last school year. Final pay amounts for next year are currently under consideration for increase, pending LIFT's Board approval in June 2023. Coaches receiving an offer will be sent an initial letter to confirm placement as well as a follow-up letter later this summer with specific pay details upon LIFT Board approval.

• Fall stipend paid on 12/15/2024 $500
• Spring stipend (scheduled to be) paid on 4/15/2025 $500
• Summer internship $ 22 per hour for 15-week internship ($ 5,280 estimated gross pay for summer internship based on anticipated minimum total number of hours worked; the actual amount paid will be based on actual hours worked).

As a LIFT Coach, You Will:

• Create a positive, welcoming climate for parents and their families.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents, partner agency staff members, and the local community.
• Provide high-quality coaching to 10-20 parents to support their achievement of career and financial goals.
• Conduct follow-up research on behalf of parents on topics relevant to their goals.
• Participate actively in daily debriefs with LIFT staff and fellow coaches.
• Support in the recruitment of new parents into the program.
• Support retention of parents in coaching through regular phone calls and emails.
• Provide regular upward feedback to LIFT's Program Team to improve the design and effectiveness of LIFT's coaching program.
• Provide short-term resource assistance to parents who are not currently eligible for coaching.
• Maintain accurate files/records and document services to parents in LIFT's online case management system.
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters regarding the children and families served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• You collaborate effectively with parents to develop goals and to provide clear feedback about their progress
• You are committed to LIFT's mission and vision
• You possess strong analytical and problem solving skills
• You possess excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• You demonstrate a strong attention to detail
• You are able to work effectively with community partners
• You are able to work effectively with a diverse population
• You are able to work well independently and are adaptable to changing environments
• You are interested in exploring both macro and micro social work opportunities
• Preferred: You are able to communicate proficiently in Spanish.

Don't think you have everything for this role but are still interested? Please don't hesitate to apply. We'd love to hear from you!

LIFT believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified applicants. LIFT's goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization.