LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor
DEPARTMENT: Bridges to the Future
SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid
$1,000 Hiring IncentiveAGENCY BACKGROUND:MercyFirst is a not-for-profithuman and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens and across LongIsland through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND:The bridges to the future program supports our foster care youth as they prepare for the future. The program provides teens and young adults with skills and testing to secure viable jobs, scholarship assistance to attend college or vocational school, obtain and maintain affordable housing in the community, and life skills coaches to guide them during the challenging transition from foster care to adulthood.
POSITION SUMMARY:The position will be working with our Family Foster Care & Residential Care Programs. Coaches meet young people where they are and build a trusting relationship with them using an authentic, trauma-informed, strength-based approach.In addition to providing weekly emotional support, Coaches help young people make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. When a young person is unsure of their goals/interests, Coaches help them explore and expose them to potential opportunities. They then help young people connect to schools, programs, and opportunities in line with their goals/interests, persist in those settings, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey. Coaches celebrate young people's progress; if something doesn't work out, Coaches help young people reflect and connect to the next opportunity.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related field.
- One to three years of work experience in child welfare or in a related field
- Knowledge of human behavior, adolescent development, educational systems and employment opportunities.
- Strong desire and commitment to work with young adults and casework teams to promote
vocational and employment success for youth in foster care.
- Good interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to travel to agency sites in/around New York City and Long Island.
- Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency's mission, core values and Sanctuary commitments
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Assist youth in securing employment, including but not limited to identifying career interests, preparing resumes, conducting mock interviews, referring to employment opportunities and monitoring outcomes and progress.
- Meet with young people to explore alternative post-secondary pathways and career paths in line with their interests and skills
- Assist youth with obtaining vital documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, working papers and NYS identification
- Manage special projects including but not limited to summer youth employment programs, job shadowing opportunities, community internships, etc.
- Coordinate and manage agency work program, including recruitment, securing site placements, develop workshop lessons, monitor participants progress, etc.
- Serve as agency liaison to internal and external organizations to improve practice and develop procedures that promote efficiency in the provision of career guidance, employment, and success.
- Participate in Family Team Conferences, ACS meetings, Fair Futures affiliated meetings and trainings.
- Complete administrative work, including but not limited to, timely input of employment and vocational service provision in CONNECTIONS & Care4, submission of monthly program reports, and preparation of documentation for internal and external audits.
- Other related duties as assigned by supervisor or administrator.
BENEFITS/PERKS:- A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
- 403B retirement benefits
- Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
- Free employee assistance program through National EAP
- Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
- Trainings to support professional and personal development
- Employee wellness program
- Employee recognition activities
Salary Range: $54,000 - $58,000 per yearHiring Incentive - $1,000 after 500 worked hoursMercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.