WFC Empowerment Coach - Lead Social Worker

Job Overview
The Workforce Connections (WFC) Empowerment Coach - Lead Social Worker plays a vital role in supporting youth as they navigate pathways toward education, employment, and long-term stability. This position is uniquely structured to serve all students engaged at Choccolocco Research Education Arts & Technical Experience (CREATE) in Oxford, Alabama,regardless of income or eligibility status, by providing individualized support, resource navigation, and wraparound services that remove barriers to success.

Working in close collaboration with the WFC & CREATE staff, the Empowerment Coach will build strong, trust-based relationships with students and serve as a consistent, accessible support within the learning environment. Because CREATE serves youth from multiple school systems, this role will also develop and maintain partnerships with school counselors, social workers, and other community stakeholders to ensure coordinated care and continuity of support.

In addition to serving the broader CREATE student population, the Empowerment Coach will provide supplemental support to WorkFORCE Connections participants funded through WIOA, assisting team members in addressing complex needs that may impact a student’s ability to fully engage in workforce development programming.

This role requires a proactive, relationship-driven professional who can meet students where they are, assess individual needs, and connect them to meaningful resources and opportunities that empower them to stay on track and move forward.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support to students at CREATE through coaching, case management, and goal-setting.
• Promote a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in all student interactions.
• Identify and address barriers to success, connecting students to appropriate community resources and wraparound services.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with CREATE staff to ensure seamless support within the learning environment.
• Develop partnerships with school counselors, social workers, and administrators across multiple school systems.
• Collaborate with WorkFORCE Connections staff to support WIOA-enrolled youth with more complex needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of student interactions, referrals, and outcomes.
• Assist students in developing employability skills, soft skills, and career readiness strategies.
• Support crisis intervention needs as they arise and provide appropriate referrals for higher-level services.
• Participate in team meetings, program planning, and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
• Experience working with youth or young adults, particularly in education, workforce development, or social services settings.
• Strong understanding of community resources and ability to navigate systems of support.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse populations and community partners.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience with case management and documentation systems preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and youth development principles strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Pre-Employment Drug Screen, DHR Child Abuse and Neglect Screening, and Background Check Required.

Pay: $47,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person