Career & Youth Development Specialist

Job Summary:

The Career and Youth Development Specialist works to engage young people in various services designed to prepare them for adulthood.  This position operates from a positive youth development approach, partnering with youth to set goals, identify supportive resources, and develop independent living skills as well as skills needed to become successful in their career development pathway.  This position is responsible for assessing youth’s strengths and needs, provide individual and group support, ensuring compliance with PYA mandates and addressing the vocational needs of foster youth in care within the JCCA Westchester campus.

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinate and work collaboratively with campus staff in order to provide support for JCCA’s youth and assure that workers meet foster care quality assurance PYA (Preparing Youth for Adulthood) compliance standards.

• Schedule and facilitate bi-annually PYA reviews; complete PYA checklists for all campus youth ages 17 and over.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and document youths’ attendance and participation in independent living skills groups and youth development activities.  
• Monitor and sign off on ACS/DSS youth independent living stipends
• Collaborate with casework staff to assist youth in preparing for discharge, including completing discharge check lists for required youth.
• Develop and facilitate PYA workshops for all youth 14 years old and older on a variety of topics, including but not limited to IL skills, job readiness, advocacy, etc for youth across all campus programs; ensure associated documentation is complete.
• Network with and connect youth to external resources in order to address young peoples’ service needs.

• Attend youth development task force/workgroups, Family Team Conferences (FTCs), and team meetings for youth 14 and older.

• Complete all Ansell Casey assessments for all campus youth ages 14 and over
• Complete all NYTD surveys as per OCFS guidelines
• Work individually with youth on identified PYA goals and promote youth advocacy
• Obtain vital documents for campus youth
• Secure bank accounts for youth
• Complete credit checks annually
• Function as a liaison between the agency and ACS; submit Transitional Medicaid documentation for all aging out youth
• Work closely with LGBTQ partners
• Coordinate special events related to annual voting, peer groups, and advocacy.
• Coordinate speaking engagements/presentations related to IL topics such as financial literacy
• Facilitate DMV trips to assist youth in obtaining state IDs, permits, and driver’s licenses
• Facilitate community excursions which foster experiential learning of PYA skills
• Work in tandem with all program staff and interdisciplinary team to identify and address youth’s PYA needs
• Train agency workers on Youth Development/Independent Living Outcome Based Curriculum
• Develop employment and internship opportunities for campus youth (14 years and older) on and off campus
• Oversee any onsite job readiness program(s) (e.g., YA WORC), including enrollment and scheduling of program cycles
• Oversee any onsite internship programs (e.g., Mentored Internship Program) and assist young people to identify, apply for and enroll in appropriate internship programs
• Conduct careers assessments with young people
• Assist young people create, update and/or refine resumes
• Support young people who are not on a college-bound track (or who have left college) to explore alternative post-secondary pathways and career paths in line with their interests and skills
• Advise young people on vocational, training, other post-secondary programs and pathways other than college
• Support young people to apply to external programs, including vocational and workforce development programs
• Build relationships with external programs and employers to serve as pipeline
• Assist with job applications and complete mock interviews
• Check-in with employers after the 3-month, 6-year, and 1-year mark to verify persistence.
• Provide individual and group vocational preparation, including social and communication skills, resume writing, dressing for success, interview prep and post interview assessments. 

  • Develop and facilitate CFTSS groups surrounding topics of care

  • Attend all vocational meetings; including but not limited to FTC’s, permanency planning meetings and ACCES-VR utilization reviews.
  • Complete timely progress notes in CONX, Evolve and Fair Futures Platform
• Other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by your supervisor, department director, and/or administrator

Knowledge, and Skills Required.

• Excellent oral and written communication
• Proficient in data processing/management (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to prioritize, manage time, and organize
• Advocacy for individuals with disabilities
• Flexibility with schedule and work duties
• Demonstrate understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Provide quality customer service to students, parents, and faculty/staff. 
• Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationship with external partners

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years’ experience working with disadvantaged individuals (disadvantaged includes but is not limited to failing schools, socioeconomic background, under-educated parents)
• Strong customer service skills and experience motivating others.
• Ability to make advanced analytical judgments and to work successfully in an environment without detailed direction (initiative); prioritizing skills; self-motivated.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Required computer skills including word processing, computer software, and internet.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, faculty, students, and the general public.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule including evening hours.

 Salary: $50K