Youth Programs Specialist

WHO WE ARE:

The MassHire Metro North Workforce Board (MNWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop partnerships, generate resources, and advocate for workforce solutions that result in a skilled workforce, prospering businesses, and equitable access to meaningful career pathways and quality employment for residents. The MNWB is one of 16 local Workforce Development Boards established in Massachusetts covering 20 cities and towns north of Boston. The functions of MNWB include the following:

• Addressing business’ workforce needs through strategic partnership building

• Coordinating local workforce activities with economic development strategies

• Developing industry-specific consortia focusing on strategic planning and implementation

• Establishing workforce development policy for the region

• Chartering career center operators and overseeing career centers

• Matching the needs of business for skilled employees with training opportunities in the area

• Assessing the effectiveness of the local workforce system

• Administering federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds for the region

For more information, please visit https://masshiremetronorth.org/.

JOB TITLE: Youth Program Specialist

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Youth Program Specialist is an essential role within the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board’s (MNWB) Workforce Development Team. As a part of the Connecting Activities network, a statewide network led by DESE and organized through sixteen MassHire Workforce Boards, the Youth Programs Specialist is uniquely positioned within priority schools in the Metro North region to help youth and young adults (14-25) get started on their careers.

Reporting to the Youth Program Director, the Youth Programs Specialist is an active and integral member of the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board Workforce Development department. As the on-site career advisor at Connecting Activities schools, the Youth Program Specialist provides case management, career awareness, and employment services; enters and manages data across multiple platforms for a variety of grants; employer outreach for Youth Programs, including internship and competitive job placement; develops partnerships with Metro North region nonprofits, schools, employers, and other organizations as needed to promote workforce initiatives for youth.

This role is a important member of the recently established Workforce Development Team, which consists of eight members responsible for managing WIOA and youth workforce initiatives throughout the region. The team is dynamically expanding its efforts to offer valuable work experiences and training, aiming to support youth in embarking on their career journeys.

MassHireMetroNorth.org

SPACES Davis Square, 240 Elm St

Somerville, MA 02144

508.658.3528

This is a hybrid position. This position must have regular, in-person presence in the Metro North region. This includes:

• Weekly in-person days on-site at assigned schools.

• Regular in-office days during onboarding.

• Two in-person days per month at MNWB’s office in Davis Square, Somerville.

• Any other meetings, events, etc. that the Supervisor/Team Leader deems necessary for in-person presence.

Please note that this is our current flexible work arrangement policy and may be subject to change.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Join an expanding team committed to workforce development and youth development.

• As a member of the Workforce Development Team, be a thought partner in developing strategies and policies to advance initiatives in youth employment for the Metro North Region.

• Travel to school partner sites 2-3 times per week to provide workforce readiness skills to high school students.

• Be able to work a hybrid schedule with the ability to travel to job functions related to this role, mostly within Massachusetts.

• Support high school students discover their skills and align them with potential career paths involving a thoughtful and exploratory process.

• Create a meaningful impact for the communities in the Metro North region area.

• Work with youth, both individually and in groups, to develop job preparation skills and provide workshops, such as labor market research, resume writing, and interviewing skills.

• Conduct intake and assessment interviews with referred youth. Maintain ongoing contact with program participants and monitor progress toward completion of program requirements, providing individualized support as needed, including resource and referrals.

• Work with a caseload of school partners and assist them and/or educational partners in the identification of employer sites for student internships, student job shadows, and teacher externships.

• Develop relationships with existing and new employer partners to secure internship, employment opportunities, employer panels, employer tours, and more for youth and young adults.

• Track, document, and report employer engagement in statewide database.

• Maintain timely and accurate records, case files, and database entries in MNWB’s internal Salesforce database and state CA database.

• Assist the Senior Director of Workforce Development and Youth Programs Director in preparing reports as needed.

• Support other workforce development team projects and tasks as needed.

• Attend all meetings and trainings deemed necessary by the Youth Program Director.

• Organize conferences, workshops, and events, in collaboration with school and community partners.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Experience working with high school aged youth.

• Experience in employer engagement.

• Excellent organizational skills.

MassHireMetroNorth.org

SPACES Davis Square, 240 Elm St

Somerville, MA 02144

508.658.3528

• Creative, problem-solving thinker.

• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.

• Ability to work both independently as well as a member of a team.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to provide culturally competent, trauma-informed services to diverse youth.

• Ability to develop new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.

• Has a deep personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The most qualified candidates might have:

• Experience working with youth in a workforce or youth development setting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

• Familiarity with one or more of our priority cities of Chelsea, Malden, Everett, Revere and Somerville.

• Bi/Multi-lingual abilities, especially English/Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian-Creole.

Applicants encouraged to apply even if you don’t meet 100% of the above listed requirements.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Starting salary $55,080 - $60,180 per year. Excellent benefits including health care, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, holiday, sick and vacation time, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements.

TO APPLY:

Submit resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining your experience and your interest in the position through our ADP Portal.

No telephone calls please. Open until filled.

The MassHire Metro North Workforce Board values equity, justice, and opportunity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diversity of thoughts, experiences, backgrounds, personalities, and identities helps us think bigger and better, and enables us to reach our goals more effectively. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.