About Our Organization
At the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, we are dedicated to turning challenges into opportunities for every student we serve. As a collaborative hub for schools, community agencies, and families across the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), we champion innovative programs that close equity gaps and empower youth to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our flagship initiative, Project ACT, is a grant‑funded effort (205 Days, concluding June 2024) that focuses specifically on the unique needs of homeless high‑school students. By partnering with shelters, libraries, community centers, and local service providers, we create a safety net that ensures no student falls through the cracks.
Why This Role Matters
Homelessness can disrupt a teenager’s education, mental health, and future prospects. The High School Life Coach we are seeking will be the linchpin that binds academic instruction, social‑emotional learning (SEL), and basic resource navigation into a seamless support system. This is more than a coaching position—it is a chance to change lives, advocate for vulnerable youth, and influence policy implementation of the McKinney‑Vento Act within a major urban school district.
Quick Overview
- Compensation: Competitive salary ranging from $45,000 to $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Start Date: Immediate openings; flexible start dates to match candidate availability.
- Location: Fully remote work with occasional on‑site visits to schools, shelters, and community partners throughout Cleveland, OH.
- Position: Remote High School Life Coach – Student Success & SEL Specialist for Homeless Youth.
- Company: Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio (ECSNE), a leading provider of educational and social‑service resources for the CMSD region.
Position Summary
The Remote High School Life Coach reports directly to the Director of Project ACT and serves as the primary advocate for homeless students in grades 9‑12. The Coach will develop and implement individualized academic and SEL plans, coordinate with school staff, shelter personnel, and family members, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing homeless education. This role demands a blend of instructional expertise, compassionate case management, and community partnership building.
Key Responsibilities
- Student Advocacy & Instruction: Deliver direct academic support in reading, language arts, and mathematics, tailored to each student’s learning profile and attendance challenges.
- Social‑Emotional Assessment: Conduct regular SEL screenings, identify mental‑health crises, and refer students to appropriate counseling services.
- Resource Navigation: Assist families in acquiring essential resources—housing assistance, transportation vouchers, food security, and healthcare—to remove barriers to school attendance.
- Attendance & Truancy Intervention: Monitor daily attendance records, intervene promptly when patterns of absenteeism emerge, and develop corrective action plans with school administrators.
- Partnership Development: Build and sustain collaborative relationships with shelter staff, community organizations, and CMSD administrators to create a cohesive support network for each student.
- SST Representation: Serve as an advocate for homeless students on the School Support Team (SST), offering data‑driven recommendations and ensuring compliance with the McKinney‑Vento Act.
- Program Coordination: Design and facilitate supplemental activities—after‑school tutoring, life‑skills workshops, and family engagement events—both on‑site and in non‑traditional settings.
- Professional Development: Participate in all Project ACT meetings, CMSD staff‑development workshops, and external training related to literacy, mathematics, SEL, and homelessness policy.
- Documentation & Reporting: Maintain rigorous records of student interactions, interventions, and outcomes; submit required grant reports and data analyses on a monthly basis.
- Compliance Assurance: Apply the guidelines of the McKinney‑Vento Act and CMSD policies to guarantee that homeless students receive equitable educational opportunities.
Essential Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field.
- Experience: Minimum of two years of direct work with youth in urban or high‑need settings, preferably with a focus on homelessness or at‑risk populations.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the McKinney‑Vento Act, CMSD policies, and the legal rights of homeless students.
- Community Familiarity: Proven ability to navigate Cleveland’s network of shelters, social service agencies, and community resources.
- Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication, with the capacity to engage parents, teachers, administrators, and external partners diplomatically.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends, and to travel between multiple sites as needed.
- Technical Proficiency: Competent in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and data‑tracking platforms used by CMSD.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (Education Leadership, Clinical Social Work, or Public Administration).
- Certification in trauma‑informed practice, crisis intervention, or related mental‑health disciplines.
- Experience delivering instruction in non‑traditional environments such as shelters, community centers, or virtual classrooms.
- Fluency in a second language commonly spoken within the Cleveland homeless community (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Somali).
- Prior involvement in grant‑managed programs, including reporting and outcome evaluation.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Empathy & Compassion: Ability to build trust with students experiencing high levels of stress and instability.
- Problem‑Solving: Creative approach to removing logistical barriers—transportation, childcare, and basic needs—that affect attendance.
- Data‑Driven Decision Making: Comfortable analyzing attendance, academic, and SEL data to inform individualized intervention plans.
- Collaboration: Skilled at fostering cross‑functional teamwork among educators, social service workers, and community volunteers.
- Resilience: Capacity to manage emotionally demanding situations, including mental‑health crises and reports of child neglect or abuse.
- Organizational Skills: Meticulous record‑keeping, timely report submission, and effective time management across multiple sites.
Work Environment & Culture
Our team operates in a dynamic, mission‑driven environment where flexibility and creativity are celebrated. While the position is remote, you will spend a portion of your week on‑site at schools, shelters, and partner agencies throughout the Cleveland region. The culture emphasizes:
- Inclusivity: A diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve, promoting equity and belonging.
- Professional Growth: Access to continuous learning—workshops, webinars, and mentorship—from seasoned educators and social‑service leaders.
- Team Collaboration: Regular virtual huddles, joint planning sessions with the Project ACT Director, and shared accountability for student outcomes.
- Community Impact: Direct involvement in initiatives that shape policy, improve resource allocation, and foster systemic change for homeless youth.
Compensation, Perks & Benefits
We recognize and reward the critical work of our life coaches with a comprehensive package that includes:
- Competitive salary ($45,000 – $50,000) with annual performance reviews.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with employer contributions.
- Retirement savings options, including a 401(k) match.
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and personal days) and observed holidays.
- Professional development stipend for certifications, conferences, and graduate coursework.
- Flexible scheduling and remote‑work allowances (internet stipend, home office equipment).
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental‑health support and counseling.
- Opportunity to transition into a permanent, grant‑funded role after the Project ACT timeline, based on performance and funding availability.
Career Advancement & Learning Opportunities
Working with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio opens doors to a robust career pathway. High‑performing Life Coaches may advance to roles such as:
- Program Manager for Homeless Student Services.
- Director of Student Wellness Initiatives.
- Policy Analyst focusing on education equity within the state’s Department of Education.
- Consultant for other districts looking to replicate successful homeless‑student interventions.
In addition to upward mobility, you will acquire expertise in grant management, data analytics, and cross‑sector collaboration—skills that are highly transferable across educational and non‑profit landscapes.
Simple Application Process
Ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of homeless high‑school students? The first step is easy. Click the “Apply Now” button below, submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications, and our recruitment team will be in touch shortly to discuss next steps.
Closing Statement
If you are a compassionate, resourceful, and data‑driven professional who believes every teen deserves a stable pathway to success, we invite you to join our mission‑focused team. Together, we will turn adversity into achievement, ensuring that homeless students in Cleveland not only stay in school but also graduate ready to lead confident, productive lives. Apply today and become the guiding force that transforms futures.
Apply Now