Youth Specialist Juvenile Justice Services

Location: Northern

** Part-Time Youth Specialist – Juvenile Justice Services
**** Organization:
** Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (BGCGNWI)
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* Work Location:

** Porter County Juvenile Justice Services Building and Boys and Girls Clubs within Porter County
** Position Type:
** Part-Time, Non-Exempt
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* Hours:

** Approximately 20 hours per week
** Pay Rate:** $20.00 per hour
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* Reports To:

** Designated Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana Supervisor
** Grant-Funded Position:
** This position is contingent upon the renewal, award, and continued funding of the Porter County Juvenile Justice Services FY27 Juvenile Community Corrections Grant. Employment in this position is not guaranteed beyond the availability of grant funding.
** Position Summary
** The Youth Specialist will serve as a part-time employee of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, working in partnership with Porter County Juvenile Justice Services (PCJJS) to provide structured, trauma-informed support, mentorship, leadership development, and reentry services to justice-involved youth.

The Youth Specialist will work within the Juvenile Justice Services building and the Porter County Boys & Girls Clubs as possible to help bridge the gap between facility-based services and community-based engagement. Through positive adult relationships, structured activities, and the principles of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Keystone Club program, the Youth Specialist will help youth develop leadership skills, strengthen pro-social behaviors, and prepare for successful participation in school, employment, family, and community life.

The position will collaborate with the occupational therapy practitioner, PCJJS staff, and BGCGNWI leadership to support individualized reentry goals and connect qualifying youth with safe, structured, and positive opportunities in the community. The Youth Specialist will promote accountability, personal growth, and successful transitions while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and adhering to all facility and organizational safety requirements.
** Essential Duties and Responsibilities
**** 1. Youth Mentorship and Reentry Support
*** Develop positive, consistent, and supportive relationships with justice-involved youth through respectful, strengths-based mentorship.
* Provide structured support to youth participating in reentry planning and related juvenile justice programming.
* Assist youth in identifying personal strengths, interests, goals, and areas for growth.
* Reinforce skills related to emotional regulation, communication, decision-making, problem-solving, accountability, and conflict resolution, as directed by the appropriate program staff.
* Encourage youth to identify and pursue positive educational, career, leadership, and community goals.
* Help youth prepare for successful transitions from facility-based services to community-based programs and supports.
* Provide encouragement and consistent adult guidance throughout the reentry process.
** 2. Keystone Club Leadership Development
*** Support the implementation of Keystone Club programming for qualifying youth ages 14–18.
* Facilitate or assist with structured activities based on the Keystone Club philosophy and focus areas:  + Academic success.  + Career preparation.  + Community service.
* Encourage youth participation in leadership development, teamwork, civic engagement, and positive decision-making.
* Assist youth in planning and completing service projects and other pro-social activities.
* Promote youth voice, leadership, responsibility, and ownership of program activities.
* Coordinate with BGCGNWI staff to identify opportunities for youth to participate in club programming and community engagement after release, when appropriate.
* Support the development of meaningful, age-appropriate activities that promote confidence, belonging, and a positive sense of identity.
** 3. Collaboration with Occupational Therapy and PCJJS
*** Work collaboratively with the occupational therapy practitioner assigned to the grant-funded initiative to support youth goals and reentry needs.
* Reinforce strategies and skills identified through occupational therapy recommendations, within the Youth Specialist’s scope of training and responsibilities.
* Participate in team meetings, case coordination, and program planning as requested at both JJS and BGCGNWI.
* Assist with identifying appropriate youth for Keystone Club programming in coordination with authorized PCJJS and staff.
* Support…