Youth Development Specialist; YDS TSN OAHU

Youth Development Specialist I (R1)

Established in 1899, Child & Family Service (CFS) is a community-based organization with a mission of strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children. CFS has been a fierce advocate for children and families in the midst of social injustices and inequalities. Our statewide support, counseling, and therapeutic programs help individuals and families heal from trauma, prevent abuse and neglect, and can break the cycle of generational poverty.

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Youth Development Specialist I (R1) to join our team. In this role, you will provide outreach, substance use assessments, and counseling services to adolescents and their families across school and community settings.

As part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you will design and deliver individual, group, and community-based programming that supports positive youth development. This position utilizes a strength-based, resilience-focused approach, grounded in trauma-informed care, to empower youth and promote healthy outcomes. This role is up to 19 hours per week.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide outreach, assessment, and counseling services for adolescents and families
• Facilitate individual and group sessions in school and community environments
• Collaborate with team members, schools, and community partners
• Implement programs using a strength-based, trauma-informed framework
• Support youth in building resilience, coping skills, and healthy decision-making

Ideal candidates are passionate about youth development and community engagement, skilled in working with diverse adolescent populations, and committed to trauma-informed and strength-based practices. Strong communicator and team collaborator.

Education and training requirements include:

• Four-year college degree from a school accredited by a recognized accrediting agency - general major. Requires basic knowledge or training in a specialized or technical field or trade, such as social work, professional accounting, finance, business administration, and marketing.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, marriage/family therapy, education, counseling, psychology, behavioral science, human development, family resources, related human service field, or equivalent related experience preferred.

Experience includes:

• Over one year, up to and including two years.
• One (1) year experience working with adolescents.
• Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or will complete CSAC requirements within a reasonable timeframe upon hire.

Special knowledge, skills, and abilities required include:

• Ability to work with people of multi-cultural and different levels of education and socioeconomic status.
• Ability to work with adolescent individuals and groups in a supportive and professional manner.
• Ability to interact with and include parents/guardians of adolescent clients as appropriate.
• Able to document work in a manner that is timely, clear, concise and goal oriented.
• Able to collaborate and communicate positively with professionals from varying disciplines.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent mental health and family dynamics.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to exercise appropriate professional judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage crisis situations through consultation and direction from supervisor.
• Teamwork skills.

Other position requirements include:

• This job requires a valid Hawaii driver's license, a clear driver's abstract, and willingness to travel in personal vehicle on an as-needed basis throughout the island.
• This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and continued employment is contingent on a record clear of convictions.
• Continued employment in this position is contingent on successful completion of CPI classes OR other Behavioral Management certification as may be contract-mandated.

At Child & Family Service, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We apply this to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, transfer, leave of absence and termination.