Job Type Full-timeDescriptionService Area: Opportunity Academy Job Title: Youth Development Specialist, (YDS)Reports to: Director of Youth Development Services Supervises: N/AFLSA Classification: Non-ExemptJOB SUMMARY: The Youth Development Specialist is responsible for the youth and workforce development and college/post-secondary awareness/readiness services that will help keep students engaged in high school through their obtainment of their high school diploma and enrollment in post-secondary education. The Youth Development Specialist coordinates and monitors the assessment, planning process and follow up for each student, serves as an advocate and liaison for and on behalf of students.Organizational Values (all Employees)Youth First...all of our decisions are made in the best interest of our youth.Trust...is sacred and essential in all that we do.Respect...for allOutcomes...that are evidence-based and drive best practices.Integrity...we recognize the importance and value of our organization demonstrating honest and fairness in all of our programs and services.Equality...recognizing that each person has unique and diverse qualities and strengths.Teamwork...we believe that cooperation and teamwork will enable us to combine our diverse backgrounds, skills, and styles to achieve common goals.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Works with youth in building a trusting relationship that yields outcomes in Competence, Confidence, and Connection using relentless engagement.
- Facilitates and Utilizes TEB Skills, (Thoughts, Emotions & Behaviors), with youth by promoting responsible healthy habits and instilling critical thinking in decision-making.
- Monitors young person's progress through data with timely and accurate data entry and by evaluating/interpreting data and sharing it with youth in order to make positive decisions and course correct as needed.
- Develop leadership, teamwork and self-advocacy skills with youth by encouraging the development of positive relationships and assisting them in the development of self-advocacy skills, initiative and accountability.
- Regularly engages youth through the following venues: face-to-face contacts, home visits, site visits, telephone, social networking, e-mail etc.
- Weekly client contact, including at least two meaningful solution-focused meetings per month, that help youth achieve target outcomes by reviewing their ISP
- Identify and connect youth with appropriate community resources
- Participates in agency-wide training on fund development and role as an OPP ambassador.
- Handle any appropriate responsibilities and functions as assigned by supervisor and/or director.
- Travel Required
- Attendance Required
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in human services, (i.e. Social Work, public health, or related field). MSW is highly preferred.
- Two-three years of experience working in case management environment with a particular focus on youth and/or young adults ages 14-24.
- Ability to Communicate and Develop Positive Relationships with youth
- Ability to Respect and Honor a Youth's Cultural and Human Diversity
- Displays exceptional customer service skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Valid CT driver's license and reliable transportation and/or own vehicle
Salary Description $42,000-$45,000