Life Skills Specialist

Who We Are

Gather's mission is to offer innovative programs that build food security in welcoming and dignified ways. Founded in 1816, Gather is one of the oldest social service agencies in the country, and a regional leader in addressing food insecurity.

Gather serves neighbors experiencing hunger by providing fresh and non-perishable, nutritious food across the Seacoast through our pantry market in Portsmouth, Mobile Markets, Meals 4 Kids program, and Fresh Food Bus. Food that would otherwise be wasted is turned into delicious, to-go meals through our Cooking 4 Community program in the kitchens of the Gather Community Food Center and UNH. Gather Café serves food insecure students and the larger community at Great Bay Community College, and the Gather Homebound program delivers meals and groceries to those who cannot shop for themselves.

Our newest initiative, Fresh Start, is Gather's Culinary Workforce Development Training Program, designed to help participants build both culinary and life skills that lead to sustainable employment and economic mobility.

What We Seek

Gather is seeking a compassionate, organized, and skilled Life Skills Coach to support students enrolled in Fresh Start. This role is responsible for delivering a trauma-informed, strengths-based life skills curriculum and providing individualized coaching and support. The life skills coach will work in close partnership with Gather's Chef Instructor and plays a critical role in preparing participants for job readiness, placement, and long-term retention in the workforce.

Classification: This is a non-exempt position with the expectation of working 25 hours/week.

Reports To: Director of Programs and Strategy

Key Responsibilities:

Program Facilitation & Instruction

• Deliver a life skills curriculum that covers core competencies such as attendance, punctuality, reliability, coachability, teamwork, emotional resilience, communication, conflict resolution, and personal responsibility.
• Teach foundational literacy and education topics including financial literacy, digital literacy, goal setting and achievement, and time management.
• Facilitate job readiness workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, and job search skills.
• Coordinate guest speakers, partner sessions, and external resource presentations that enhance the curriculum.

Case Management & Coaching

• Provide one-on-one coaching to help participants identify and address barriers to employment.
• Offer referrals and support in accessing services such as housing, transportation, childcare, mental health, and recovery support.
• Support the career placement process and provide job retention support.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students that foster accountability, motivation, and self-advocacy.
• Track and document participant progress, engagement, and outcomes using a data model.

Logistics and Coordination

• Oversee attendance tracking, scheduling, logistics, and data reporting for Fresh Start.
• Collaborate with the Chef Instructor to serve as a liaison between students, internship sites, community partners, and employer partners.
• Work with the Chef Instructor to coordinate internship site placement, check-ins, and post-graduation follow up.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Gather's Member Services team and external partners that provide wrap-around resources.
• Train the Member Services team in conflict resolution and other areas to address client issues that arise.

Qualifications

We are seeking a human services or workforce development professional with a passion for teaching, coaching, and community education. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic nonprofit environment and embrace Gather's mission of advancing food access, education, and opportunity.

• Minimum of five years of experience in workforce development, case management, social services, adult and youth education, or related field.
• Proven ability to coach individuals facing barriers to employment, including those who are justice system impacted, experiencing unstable housing, in addiction recovery, or healing from other trauma.
• Excellent facilitation, active listening, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills; including experience with documentation, data tracking and evaluation.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and a strengths-based person-centered approach.
• Passion for equity, social justice and empowering underserved communities.
• Knowledge of the Seacoast region's social service network is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Serve as a team member in the organization and promote Gather's mission, programs, and values.
• Hands-on, high integrity professional with a willingness to take ownership, and enthusiasm for working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Innovative and strategic thinker with initiative and a solution focused mindset.
• Ability to make sound decisions, exercise good judgement, and solve problems under pressure.
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to represent the agency effectively and professionally with participants and community partners.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field.
• Certification or formal training in trauma-informed care or related approaches preferred.

Location & Schedule

This role is based out of Gather's Portsmouth, NH facility. Working hours are negotiable between 9 am and 4 pm with the goal of working 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Expected starting compensation is $26-30 per hour.

Application Process

Please send resume and cover letter via email to Analycia Call at In the subject line, write your name and the position for which you are applying, e.g.: "Jordan Smith – Life Skills Specialist" We will review all submissions, identify viable candidates, and contact ONLY those individuals selected to continue in the search process. The position will be filled when the desired candidate is found.

Gather is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to creating an inclusive organization. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for this position.

Pay: $ $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching

Work Location: In person