Youth Development Specialist

Position Title

Youth Development Specialist

SBYSP Manager

To foster social development through facilitation of recreation and psycho‑educational groups.

• Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agency’s clients’ and coworkers’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and integrates culture throughout the clinical process.
• Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Works from a strengths‑based perspective.
• Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e.; child protective, juvenile justice, division on aging, probation and parole), maximizing resources to assist client.
• Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately.
• Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures, participates in QI Committee or Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of QI policies and procedures.

• Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member.
• Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
• Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
• Willing to take on extra work when needed (e.g. when there is a vacancy).
• Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Is courteous, approachable, and cooperative toward others and conducts self in a mature, competent, confident, and respectful manner.
• Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients, co‑workers and agency, consistent with HIPAA, and protects personal health information in written, verbal and electronic forms.
• Practices self‑care, has a sense of humor, and possesses a healthy work/life balance to provide great customer service.
• Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards, injuries, equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies.
• In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team.
• Maintains good attendance (per contracted FT or PT schedule) and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.
• Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc.
• Meets program productivity requirements.
• Uses good judgement, practices ethical decision‑making, and explores all options in problem solving.

• Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared.
• Documents supervision.
• Able to receive feedback and to learn from it.
• Has insight about self and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.

• Supervise and coordinate recreational programming and field trips.
• Build and maintain rapport; interact with students during appropriate times to facilitate social skill development and advocate for students as needed.
• Facilitate prevention and psycho‑educational groups.
• Ensure documentation and data input into Management Information System is completed in a timely fashion.
• Provide case management to students as necessary.
• Monitor students’ academic and behavioral progress.
• Assist in the development and marketing of programs in the school environment and community.
• Discuss all suspected cases of abuse and neglect with Manager/Coordinator and report to DCP&P.
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Manager/Coordinator of SBYSP.

• Education/Certification: Minimum High School diploma, 3 years experience as a youth service worker;
  Bachelor’s Degree in human services field preferred.
• Experience: Proven ability to work with adolescents in an urban setting.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of adolescent development, knowledge of community resources, knowledge of group process.
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to create a warm, non‑threatening therapeutic atmosphere; provide non‑judgmental responses; counsel adolescents; work as a member of a team; advocate for students with school personnel; work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Professional Characteristics: Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self‑aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature,…