Empowerment & Resilience Specialist (AC YEC)

The Empowerment & Resilience Specialist is responsible for delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care and services to all youth with unconditional positive regard, respect, and compassion. This role fosters an inclusive, affirming environment where young people feel welcomed, safe, heard, valued, and empowered to thrive.

The Empowerment & Resilience Specialist creates engaging learning opportunities that encourage youth voice, choice, and leadership while using creative and evidence-informed educational approaches to inspire personal growth. The position supports programming centered on five core resiliency objectives:
Education, Employment, Social Navigation, Financial Literacy, and Wellness.

• Welcome young people to the program, ensuring they understand program expectations, available opportunities, and have access to needed resources and supplies.
• Build supportive, trusting relationships that encourage youth to identify goals and connect with meaningful opportunities, experiences, and community resources.
• Facilitate individual and group programming aligned with the five resiliency objectives:
  Wellness, Social Navigation, Financial Literacy, Education, and Employment.
• Support youth in developing and achieving educational, career, financial, wellness, and independent living goals outlined in their success plans.
• Collaborate with the Statewide Volunteer & Wellness Coordinator to coordinate volunteer programming and engagement opportunities.
• Develop and support peer leadership initiatives that empower youth to facilitate and participate in peer-to-peer programming.
• Identify, develop, and coordinate on-site and off-site career exploration activities, workforce development workshops, and employer partnerships that expand employment opportunities for youth.
• Provide educational and vocational guidance, including assistance with school enrollment, FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, and other post-secondary opportunities.
• Create and deliver engaging learning experiences by developing original programming and implementing agency-approved curricula as designed through a blended instructional model that includes web-based learning, classroom instruction, small groups, peer-led activities, and individualized learning resources.
• Plan and participate in community-based experiences, including college visits, career exploration, recreational outings, and other enrichment activities.
• Design learning environments that are engaging, adaptive, and centered on youth voice and choice.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and flexible environment that prioritizes the well-being of all participants.
• Complete youth onboarding for the Dove Learning Center and assist with data collection and program evaluation activities.
• Utilize agency software and technology systems, including learning management platforms, classroom monitoring software, message board systems, HMIS, and ETO.
• Collaborate with Youth Engage Specialist’s and interdisciplinary staff to identify resources, remove barriers, and support youth engagement in educational and employment programming.
• Monitor and encourage consistent attendance and participation in resilience activities.
• Check and respond to company emails daily.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation, including daily progress notes and required case records in HMIS and ETO.
• Utilize agency resources, including vehicles, computers, and telephones, responsibly and for agency purposes only.
• Assist with fundraising events, community events, and special projects, including those that occur outside normal work hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor to meet the needs of youth and ensure effective program operations.

Schedule for the position is Monday Thru Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

$60,000 a year

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, masters preferred.
• Previous group facilitation experience preferred.
• Some experience working with young people who may have experienced great trauma, including homelessness.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, assessment and leadership skills.
• Must be flexible and have excellent time management skills.
• Strong ability to partner with staff and volunteers throughout the Covenant House organization.
• Valid NJ driver’s license with an insurable driving record.

Medical, Dental, Vision, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Holidays & Sick).