What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Specialist position at Supported Living and Employment Services?
Job Description:
Job Title: Youth Specialist (Float)
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Department: Employment Services
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary:
The Youth Specialist is responsible to provide individual and/or group transitional services for current and former foster youth/young adult ages 14 to 23. They will conduct instructional and support activities based on each youth’s/young adult’s individualized plan goals. The Youth Specialist will provide services designed to facilitate the youth’s/young adult’s development of the skills and resources necessary to successfully achieve independence and self-sufficiency. A Youth Specialist will be responsible to provide assistance in the areas of educational, vocational and independent living skill achievement.
The Youth Specialist position offers…
- All-Inclusive Employee Benefits Package - A robust full-time employee benefits package encompassing health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, life insurance, wellness program, and more
- Telemedicine – 24/7 phone, web, or mobile app medical, behavioral health, & dermatology visits
- Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
- Paid Time Off - 29 days per year including vacation & holiday pay
- Educational Leave – 24 hours of PTO for CE’s after 12 months of employment
- NHSC Student Loan Repayment - eligible site for tax-free student loan assistance
- Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement
Key Responsibilities:
- Treat all youth/young adult, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.
- Adhere to all confidentiality contractual standards and company policies during provision of services.
- Maintain flexibility in work availability. A youth specialist will often meet with the youth/young adult during evening hours. It may become necessary to visit a youth/young adult on the weekend.
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge related to serving youths/young adults, with specific expertise related to youth/young adult in foster care.
- Collaborate with the youth’s/young adult’s team in development of youth’s//young adult’s goals for services which could include identifying 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 contractual documentation with youth/young adult and the youth’s/young adult’s team.
- Meet with each youth/young adult assigned as required by type of services (Chafee/Aftercare and Transitional Living Scattered Sites).
- Provide an active service related to service plan goals, each time meeting with youth/young adult.
- Establish a supportive, professional relationship with each youth/young adult assigned and youth’s/young adult’s team.
- Develop strategies, lessons, and/or curriculum in connecting with community resources necessary to achieving youth’s/young adult’s assigned service plan goals such as meal planning, grocery shopping, budgeting, auto/lawn care, scheduling, and enhancing overall independence.
- Facilitate mentoring opportunities for youth young adult and assist them to develop a permanent connection with an adult in their community.
- Transport and/or chaperone youth/young adult as necessary related to carrying out goals and objectives identified on their individualized plan.
- Solicit in-kind services, donations, facilitate financial assistance transactions and purchases to assist youth/young adult with achieving personal and financial goals.
- Track, collect and submit receipts for proper documentation to appropriate channels in a timely manner.
- Complete all required data entry by the established due dates.
- With the assistance of management, identifying potential referrals which may be appropriately served by Brightli subsidiaries.
- Possible need for on-call throughout week/weekends/holidays.
Experience and/or 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.
- Specific skills/knowledge in case management, mental health, substance use, documentation, etc.
- Experience in foster care, education, employment services, case management, social services or other applicable vocation is preferred.
Employment Requirements:
- Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.
- Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
- All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
- Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.
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.
Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.
