JOB TITLE: Transition Specialist/Extraordinary Needs Program

DEPARTMENT: PYA Residential

LOCATION: 89-30 161^st street, Jamaica, NY 11432

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To support the development of transition plans for teenage youths and to encourage them to achieve to their highest potential in interpersonal relationships, career, education and personal interest development.

REPORTS TO: Program Director SSSHP & PYA Residential

SUPERVISES: N/A

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Run monthly workshops that cover key areas where youth need to develop life skill competencies as per ACS requirements.

Ensure client connections to community resources.

Assist youths with completing housing applications as appropriate (NYCHA, Emergency Housing Vouchers, etc.).

Ensure youths have transitional Medicaid upon discharge.

Obtain all vital documents for all youths on caseload, well before discharge (Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Government Issued ID, Passport, any other documents as indicated by ACS directives).

Provide supportive care for youths who leave placement before age 21, as per ACS regulations.

Document all contact in Connections within the timeframe required.

Complete PYA checklist using ACS web-based PAT tool.

Complete education/vocational assessments and connect to appropriate resources.

Obtain and place in paid and unpaid internships depending on skill level. Assist with placement through SYEP annually.

Work collaboratively with caseworkers and all team members to ensure youths are setting goals and working towards achievement.

Ensure monthly maintenance of tracking grids and timely submission to Support Specialist and Program Director.

Reconcile monthly expenses in a timely manner.

Travelling required as youths are housed in several locations in Queens and one in Brooklyn.

All other duties assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience required:

Minimum of two years’ experience working with young adults. Working with developmentally disabled youth and knowledge of Motivational Interviewing a plus. 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in human services or business

Special Skills:

Familiarity with the community to which assigned and knowledgeable about the major culture groups within the neighborhoods served. The following qualifications are desirable: residence in the community in which the position is located; from the culture and ability to speak the language of the major groups served in the community.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

Externally: interacts with community service providers to obtain and monitor delivery of services

Internally: interfaces with agency business support, maintenance services and quality improvement staff as well as other PYA staff.

In addition, employees need to possess the following characteristics:

· Be team players.

· Have a strong sensitivity to cultural differences present among staff and clients within our organization.

· Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change; forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families.

· Ability to set limits and maintain helping role of practitioner and to intervene appropriately.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typically, a 9am- 5 pm position but applicant should be flexible.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for meeting the stated requirements of the position.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Works within the structure of the PYA program as it relates to the overall agency organization.