Employment Specialist Youth

Position: Employment Specialist for Older Youth

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Employment Specialist for Older Youth

Recruitment & Retention Full Time Professional Saint Louis, MO, US

2 days ago Requisition

Summary of Position

The Employment Specialist for Older Youth in Foster Care is responsible for replicating the Works Wonders® employment model for youth in foster care and young adults transitioning out of foster care. The position adapts the Works Wonders® approach to meet the unique needs of older youth involved in the child welfare system through individualized, relationship-based employment and career development services.

The Specialist works directly with youth to explore career interests, develop workplace skills, prepare for employment, connect with employers, obtain jobs, and receive ongoing support to maintain employment and advance their careers. This role goes beyond helping youth find a job. It focuses on helping each young person build a meaningful career path that supports financial stability, personal growth, and a successful transition to adulthood.

Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and positive youth development approach, the Specialist helps youth identify and overcome barriers that may affect their ability to obtain or maintain employment. These may include housing, transportation, education, limited work experience, financial needs, physical or mental health, disability-related needs, and a lack of supportive resources or relationships.

The Specialist collaborates with youth, caregivers, and the Coalition’s Older Youth Readiness Navigators to coordinate services, create employment opportunities, and connect youth with resources and supportive adults. Youth lead their own employment planning by identifying their interests, strengths, and goals, while the Navigator provides consistent guidance, encouragement, accountability, and hands‑on support.

Services are individualized based on each youth's needs, developmental readiness, and progress. The Specialist must be flexible and willing to meet youth where they are, providing support in homes, schools, workplaces, and community settings.

Ultimately, the goal is to help youth obtain and sustain meaningful employment while developing the financial literacy, self‑advocacy, decision‑making, problem‑solving, and independent living skills needed to achieve long‑term economic stability, build supportive relationships, and become successful, independent and interdependent adults. Maintaining fidelity to the Works Wonders® model is required.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Youth Engagement, Assessment, and Individualized Planning

• Build trusting relationships with youth using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and positive youth development approaches.
• Complete program intake, eligibility, enrollment, and assessments while identifying each youth's strengths, interests, educational and employment background, goals, and barriers.
• Develop and regularly update individualized Career Ed plans with measurable employment and education goals, ensuring youth have an active voice in their planning.
• Provide flexible, individualized support in homes, schools, workplaces, and community settings, meeting youth where they are.

Employment Readiness and Career Development

• Become proficient in and implement the Works Wonders® E2 Training Curriculum, facilitating individual and group training.
• Develop essential workplace skills, including communication, professionalism, attendance, time management, teamwork, problem‑solving, and conflict resolution.
• Connect youth with career pathways, vocational training, apprenticeships, internships, work‑based learning, and…