Probation Youth Opportunity Specialist

Position: Probation Youth Opportunity Specialist

Program: Alcance’s Youth Programs

Location: Watsonville, CA

Hours: 35 to 40 hours per week

Salary: $25-26 per hour

Benefits: Medical (some employee share of cost, depending on plan selected), dental (employee pays half of dental), vision plan and life insurance, 24 days annual leave to start and 13 paid holidays, Retirement Plan (401K) after six months of service. Benefits are for selected candidates; certain dependents can be added at candidates’ full cost.

Reports to: Employment Programs Director

Apply to: Send resume and cover letter to HR @cabinc.org or apply on-line at really.com.

Overview: Alcance is one of the six component programs of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. Alcance provides adult and youth alternative to incarceration, re-entry, and workforce development services through the provision of employment readiness, training, mentoring and placement/job matching. In each of these service areas, the program follows a strengths-based, and outcomes/sales approach and integrates evidence-based practices from criminal justice research, advancing employment as one of the most important vehicles for hastening offender reintegration, improving employment placements for the under-resourced, and improving community functioning for participants. Alcance’s Youth Programs are focused on addressing gaps in how the community supports youth and young adults that

have been harmed by poverty and violence through providing culturally respectful services designed to increase youth wellbeing and safety, reduce harm, and build assets.

This project works with probation-referred youth as an alternative to a restrictive sentence or to avoid pre-trial custody. Youth will be referred to obtain employment preparation and job placement services and/or information and support that will lead the youth to make the best choice for themselves in regard to their educational pathway.

Responsibilities:

Outreach and Recruitment:

· Work with Probation Department to obtain referrals for employment and Support for Success in School services for justice involved youth.

· Work with Alcance staff and via direct contact with potential employers to identify appropriate job placement opportunities.

· Work with community partners, such as PVPSA, South County alternative high schools, such as Renaissance, Sequoia, Freedom and New School, County Office of Education, and Pajaro Valley High School to identify the best educational opportunities for individual justice involved youth.

Case Management:

• Provide employment readiness preparation by administering the Steps for Success (S4S) model’s employment track and noting when each step is achieved.
• Provide job placement services using the Tools for Success S4S module to prepare the youth for job search, the interview process, and maintaining employment.
• Follow-up with the youth and employer to make sure the job placement is appropriate and successful.
• Provide youth and their families with information regarding educational options available to them. This will include exploration of the positives and challenges presented by the traditional or alternative high schools as well as a course of independent study. Discuss with the youth which choice is best for them.
• Provide the youth and their family with information regarding a request for an Individualized Education Program or a 504 Program. Discuss with the youth and family to determine if this is something they want to pursue and support that decision.
• Support youth participation in prosocial activities, such as encouraging their involvement with other Luna y Sol activities.
• Use the Evidence Based Practices practices of Joven Nobles, Girasole, Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care while working with the youth and their families.
• Use SMART goals and the Search Foundation’s Asset Development framework to support your efforts to set goals and identify barriers and a plan to overcome them.

· Encourage the youth’s parents or caregivers to participate in the Success in School conversations and decision-making and to encourage them to sign up for a session of Cara y Corazon.

· Report to probation on a weekly basis on youth progress.

· Data collection and reporting about program progress.

• Other duties as assigned.

Crisis Response Responsibilities:

• Ensure safety of youth and staff by following established safety protocols.
• Work collaboratively with the probation officers to avoid safety issues.
• Must be available to work Monday to Friday and may be asked to work occasional evenings or weekends.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

-Education and Experience Required: Associates or bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, Public Policy, Criminal Justice or related field or equivalency in degree or 2-3 years of experience working with youth at risk.

-Experience and knowledge of social determinants of health and effective prevention and intervention strategies

-Experience working with, or knowledge of, restorative justice principles

-Experience working with at-risk and high-risk youth and/or young adults

-Current valid CA driver’s license, clean driving record and insured vehicle

-Bilingual (Spanish and English), written and verbal required

-Ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations.

-Ability to work in a collaborative partnership environment

-Excellent verbal and written communication skills

-A clear understanding of, and the ability to demonstrate, professional ethics, boundaries, and judgment

-Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility, and reliability are imperative

-Action oriented with strong problem-solving skills

-Excellent organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities

-Outstanding ability to follow-through with tasks

-Strong initiative and enthusiasm and willingness to pitch in whenever needed

-Able to communicate well at all levels of the organization including working with organization leadership and high-level representatives of partner organizations

-Able to work within a variable project scope while maintaining overall direction and structured priorities

-Culturally competent and able to work with a diverse population

-Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word Outlook, PowerPoint, excel and internet applications

-Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner

- Familiarity with Santa Cruz County neighborhoods and community programs preferred

-Experience collaborating across government agencies and facilitating multi-agency processes

Background Clearance Required: Ability to clear and maintain fingerprint clearance to work with youth

COVID-19 vaccination required

CAB embraces the values of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

The hired candidate will adhere to CAB’s standard of upholding the agency’s mission, values, and code of ethics through a commitment to confidentiality and communication.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition (cancer related), marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factors unrelated to job duties.

AA/EOE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• Are you fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Experience:

• Criminal Justice: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $26