Youth Engagement Specialist

Youth Engagement Specialist

Kankakee, IL, US

Salary Range: $24.04 To $24.04 Annually

Location:
Kankakee, Illinois

Summary: The Youth Engagement Specialist provides direct support and intervention services to youth through individual sessions, crisis response, and collaboration with community partners. This role manages a caseload of participants, delivers strengths-based services, and supports program goals through accurate documentation and outcome tracking. The Youth Engagement Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring youth voice and satisfaction are reflected in service delivery and contributes to ongoing program improvement through peer observation and engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain an active caseload of 15–20 participants, adjusted based on program needs and supervisor guidance
• Respond to crisis calls and provide on-site crisis support
• Conduct one-on-one sessions with youth participants as assigned
• Document participant progress and session outcomes per program procedures
• Participate in peer session observations
• Collaborate with community partners to support youth engagement and service coordination
• Collect and review Youth Satisfaction Surveys related to individual services

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive Pay $24.04/hour
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Disability & Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
• Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discounts on services like cell phones, restaurants, and more

Training Requirements:

• Complete all Core Curriculum training(s) required for the position
• Comply with IDHS program standards and CCBYS requirements
• Adhere to the State of Illinois mandated reporting law
• Complete all required Federal, IDHS, and agency‑mandated training, meetings, and workshops
• Complete other duties as assigned

Trauma-Informed Care Commitment: Staff are expected to apply the “5 S’s” in all work:

• Safety (physical and emotional)
• Self-regulation (manage one’s emotions during support efforts)
• Supportiveness (build respectful, caring relationships)
• Strengths-based (identify and reinforce clients’ positive traits)
• Self-care (manage secondary stress reactions)

In addition, staff are encouraged to integrate the 7 Essential Ingredients (7ei) of trauma-informed care:

• Prevalence, Impact, Perspective Shift, Regulation, Relationship, Reason to Be, and Caregiver Capacity

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS/BSW) required with Human services focus
• Experience with at‑risk youth preferred

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read, write, and interpret case notes and procedures
• Capable of leading one-on-one or small group discussions
• Comfortable solving practical problems with limited standardization
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  
  Ability to interpret instructions in various formats (written, oral, diagram, schedule)
• Understand and apply Aunt Martha’s 5-step PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) Performance Improvement process

Other Requirements:

• Availability for evening and weekend hours as needed
• Must transport clients in personal vehicle
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with a clear driving record
• Proof of current automobile insurance
• Must accept and apply constructive feedback

Age‑Specific Care: This position supports individuals across all age groups, including:

• Neonatal, Infant, Pediatric, Adolescent, Young Adult, and Adult

Client Populations Served: Youth may present with the following needs:

• Substance Abuse, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect
• Pregnant and/or Parenting, Delinquency, Cognitive Delay
• Homelessness, Mental Illness, Developmental Delay
• Verbal, Physical, or Sexual Aggression
• Physical Disabilities, Runaways/Lockouts