Youth Specialist

About the role

The Youth Advancement Specialist performs activities designed to assist Covenant House youth of various backgrounds and skill levels with finding employment and / or suitable vocational training, post-secondary education, or certificate training opportunities.

The Youth Advancement Specialist will establish and maintain relationships with employers and community organizations to develop placement opportunities as well as quality vocational, technical, or other learning programs.

This position requires independent judgment and proactivity as the support agent for youth advancement will be working substantially in the field, making home visits regularly and otherwise assisting the youth to make community connections for long-term success. The Youth Advancement Specialist must also be comfortable in building and maintaining rapport with youth, Flexibility, a willingness to be available by email or phone, and excellent communication and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position.

The Youth Advancement Specialist will coordinate day-to-day activities such as orienting youth to the services Cov Works provides and tracking placement data for youth enrolled in the HUD funded programs, Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing.

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Establish and maintain temporary /seasonal, full-time, and part-time job bank
• Develops at least one new vocation/technical training linkage per quarter that meets the needs and interest of Cov Works youth
• Assist youth in identifying positions in their field of interest; assist in the development of resumes, cover letters and applications, help youth explore alternative employment options
• Organize tours of local training programs, community partners offering vocational and certification trainings, and other educational institutions
• Develop and foster professional relationships with employers, placement agencies and temporary agencies to ensure consistent contact for job leads within the community
• Communicate with employers and ensure placements are entered into ETO system once appropriate verification documentation has been received
• Coordinate recruitment days and targeted job fairs
• Organize onsite events with local career technical training and credentialing institutions
• Provide retention services to ensure youth success and employer satisfaction
• Collaborate and work closely with the Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing program staff to ensure that outcomes measures are met to support housing stability
• Write detailed case notes and track program required statistics
• Support clients with accessing support services utilizing Single Stop benefits program platform
• Program outcomes will be set base funding and population metrics
• Goals will be clearly outlined and communicated with YAS
• Works as a collaborative team member ensuring all youth have access to high quality services and are living in a safe setting.
• Participates in and facilitates regular case conferences. Ensures team members are fully apprised of information regarding youth as needed.
• Participates in staff team meetings and trainings, individual supervision meetings, and meetings with youth.
• Assists with audit preparation and dry and live audits of the program

• Participates in all required training, either in-person or via CHNYs online Learning Management System (Relias).
• Actively participates in the training and implementation of evidence-based and other proven models.
• Embraces a data-driven culture that is outcomes-oriented and creatively responsive to programmatic challenges.
• Promotes a healthy, inclusive, and equitable organizational culture and a thriving, engaged staff.
• Promotes child protection within the program and is diligent about the safety of clients and fellow staff members.
• Always upholds CHNYs mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies, and procedures.

• Bachelors Degree in related fields of study and/or 5(five) years of experience in youth engagement, disadvantaged youth, or at-risk population.
• Demonstrated experience working…