Youth Specialist

Looking to feed your desire to give to your community and support those who need a helping hand? Look no further! Not only is Supported Living and Employment Services growing the amount of its resources, services, and facilities to assist as many communities as possible, it also provides plenty of opportunity for growth in your current field and the freedom to explore others. Our culture and our environment are unlike any other. We offer highly-competitive pay and a full range of top-notch full-time employee benefits such as:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Description:
Essential Job Functions:

• Treat all youth, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.
• Adhere to all confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards during provision of services.
• Maintain flexibility in work availability, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge related to serving youth and young adults, with specific expertise related to youth in foster care.
• Collaborate with Family Support Teams to create and/or update plans for service using SNAP (strengths, needs, abilities, preferences) principles.
• Assist youth and their Family Support Team to identify obstacles to living independently, obtaining employment, completing education, developing supportive social networks, and participating in recreational activities that need to be addressed in the service planning process.
• Complete all initial Planning Profile and related documentation with youth and the Family Support Team.
• Facilitate development of all required individualized service plans with each youth, to include contributing to the Individualized Action Plan (IAP) created by the Case Manager and Family Support Team.
• Meet with each youth assigned as required by type of services (Chafee, Aftercare, TLSS).
• Provide an active service, directly tied to IAP and service plan goals, each time meeting with youth.
• Establish a supportive, professional relationship with each youth assigned.
• Develop strategies, lessons, and/or curriculum necessary to facilitate achievement of/progress toward youths' individualized plan goals.
• Assist youth with developing strategies and behaviors related to adult living such as meal planning, grocery shopping, budgeting, auto/lawn care, scheduling, and enhancing overall independence.
• Serve as a community resource specialist for youth, families, and referral sources.
• Assist leadership to maintain and update information related to available community resources beneficial for youth and stakeholders.
• Facilitate mentoring opportunities for youth and assist them to develop a permanent connection with an adult in their community.
• Assist and/or connect youth with resources for obtaining and maintaining employment as desired and defined within their service plan.
• Provide financial information training and support to all youth, to include: checking credit scores, budgeting, saving, bill paying, and other related financial activities.
• Transport youth as necessary related to carrying out goals and objectives identified on their individualized plan.
• Solicit in-kind services and donations to assist youth with achieving personal and financial goals.
• Facilitate financial assistance transactions and purchases aligned with service plan goals.
• Track and document expenditures, collect receipts, and attempt to solicit donations prior to making purchases.
• Serve as a chaperone for quarterly State Youth Advisory Board, conferences, and other meetings.
• Assist with implementation of quarterly Local Youth Advisory Board meetings by organizing/attending meetings, transporting youth to/from meetings, and overall facilitation of meetings as assigned.
• Assist with implementation of additional group activities provided by local offices by organizing/attending meetings, transporting youth to/from meetings, and overall facilitation of meetings as assigned.
• Complete all required data entry within the required databases (PFH and FACES).
• Complete daily, monthly, and activity based reporting (visit logs, progress/expenditure/hours reporting, plans) as required for the specific services being performed.
• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources for the purpose of discussing youth and identifying potential referrals into these or other PFH services.

• Serve as an advocate for youth with their Family Support Team, community, employers, referral sources, and other stakeholders (schools, other social service agencies, healthcare, etc).
• Promote the organization, services, and youth in a professional manner through participation in community events and awareness activities, collaboration efforts, and committees. This may include making presentations or public speaking.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The individual should possess strong customer service skills, have skilled computer knowledge (Word, Excel, internet platforms, other electronic media) and be able to communicate effectively and accurately in verbal and written form.
• The individual should have an understanding of supporting youth with barriers to employment, education, and/or independent living.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Experience in foster care, education, employment services, case management, social services or other applicable vocation is preferred.

Supervisory Requirements:
None
Employment Requirements:

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record and abuse/neglect.
• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
• All training requirements including Relias Learning at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Must have current or be willing to obtain certification in CPR/First Aid.
• Current driver's license and current auto insurance are required.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the associate is frequently required to sit and stand for extended periods (4-8 hours); extensive walking may be required when conducting field-based activities. Kneeling, crouching, bending and stooping may be required. They must frequently use hands and fingers to write, type, operate a mouse, file documents, and otherwise handle documents. They must talk and hear when responding to in-person and/or phone inquiries. The associate may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.
Supported Living and Employment Services is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.