Youth Development Specialist

Youth Development Specialist

Classification:
Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports to:

Director of Prevention and Advancement

The Youth Development Specialist helps young people discover their voice, strengthen their confidence, and recognize that they already have something valuable to contribute.

This position delivers Community Youth Development programming for youth and families primarily within Amarillo's 79107 ZIP code. The Youth Development Specialist facilitates school and community-based groups, leadership development, prevention education, family activities, and special events. They build authentic relationships with young people while creating spaces that are safe, welcoming, and energetic.

This is not a sit-behind-a-desk-all-day position. A typical week may include leading a middle school Girls Group, planning a YAC service project, attending a school event, completing grant documentation, leading a parent café, facilitating youth leadership development groups on area campuses or organizing an awareness event.

• Facilitate evidence-informed and curriculum-based programming related to leadership, healthy relationships, conflict resolution, emotional wellness, positive decision-making and other issues affecting youth.
• Lead Youth Leadership Development groups, Girls Groups, after-school programming, and other FSS services at schools and community locations.
• Build positive, consistent relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Create an environment where participants feel respected, included, heard, and encouraged to take healthy risks such as speaking up, trying something new, or asking for help.
• Adapt activities to meet different learning styles, developmental needs, cultures, personalities, and levels of participation.
• Recognize signs that a young person may need additional support and follow established procedures for connecting the participant with appropriate services.

• Support the Youth Advisory Committee and help youth plan meetings, community projects, awareness activities, service opportunities, and special events.
• Encourage youth to identify concerns within their schools and neighborhoods and develop realistic, youth-driven solutions.
• Help young people strengthen communication, public speaking, teamwork, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
• Create meaningful opportunities for youth to serve, lead, and represent FSS throughout the community.
• Treat youth as partners in program planning by listening to their ideas and incorporating their feedback whenever possible.

• Assist with Parent Cafés, WOW Cafés, Dad Cafés, family nights, and other caregiver engagement activities.
• Help create welcoming spaces where caregivers can discuss parenting, communication, resilience, stress, and family relationships without judgment.
• Build respectful relationships with parents and caregivers and connect families with helpful community resources when needs are identified.
• Assist with family-focused events that combine education with creativity, recreation, food, and connection because families tend to learn better when no one feels trapped in a lecture.

• Develop positive working relationships with teachers, counselors, administrators, community organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Represent Family Support Services professionally and communicate the purpose and value of CYD programming.
• Coordinate referrals to FSS programs and outside organizations when youth or families need services beyond the scope of CYD.

• Prepare lesson plans, activities, supplies, and materials before each group or event.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, program planning, and quality-improvement activities.
• Communicate scheduling changes, participant concerns, school needs, and program challenges promptly.
• Assist with community events and occasional evening or weekend activities.
• Work collaboratively with other FSS divisions to ensure youth and families receive coordinated support.