Youth Development Specialist

Overview

Youth Development Specialist – Full Time, Albany, NY

Position Type:
Non-Exempt (hourly);

Schedule:

Monday
- Friday; 9am-5pm with flexibility as needed. Valid NYS Driver’s License and personal vehicle required.

Program:
Prevention
- Stronger Together

Location:

Albany, NY

Job Reference: 0111

Salary Range: $21.00 to $24.48 hourly

Notes:
In office and remote work – flexibility required.

The Youth Development Specialist works with the Prevention Program Social Worker, Case Planner(s), and Family Advocate to provide services to families within Albany County. The Youth Development Specialist will work with all targeted youth to provide concrete support and skill building, to strengthen age-appropriate life skills and support their educational, vocational and recreational interests. The Youth Development Specialist collaborates with the team to determine the needs of the targeted child in regard to community resources, after school programming, and enrichment activities.

• Schedule &
  
  Education:
  
  Monday-Friday, 9am–5pm, with flexibility as needed. Associate’s degree in human services or education required;
  Bachelor’s preferred.
• Experience: Experience working with multi-issue families, and helping them address their goals.
• Skills: Excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Community Savvy: Knowledge of community resources, including school districts, law enforcement, local churches, recreational sites, and clubs.
• Travel: Local travel is required; clean & valid New York State Driver’s License (active for at least one year) and reliable vehicle for transporting clients to resources and meetings.
• Composure: Ability to remain composed and in control, especially under crisis conditions.
• Empathy: Ability to nurture and show compassion and understanding for clients/children in crisis.
• Professionalism: Positivity, flexibility, and adaptability to day-to-day changes with client needs, plus integrity, reliability, and dependability.
• Tech Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; secure Internet practices.
• Work Ethic: Self-motivated and engaged, with strong attention to detail.
• Cultural Humility: Ability to work with diverse populations and varied developmental and functional levels.
• Judgment & Confidentiality: Ethical, independent judgment and discretion with sensitive data.

Note: Staff in driving positions must meet the agency’s minimum insurance policy requirements for authorized drivers (including the minimum age of 21 at time of hire and maintaining insurability).

• Accept referrals from Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families Prevention intake; attend intakes within 24 hours of referral.
• Attend home visits to assess needs for essential community linkages.
• Link youth to community activities aligning with their goals and interests.
• Ensure children on caseload have a primary care physician and dentist; ensure school-aged children are enrolled in school or an educational alternative.
• Coordinate services by attending service plan reviews and other meetings and via phone contacts.
• Coordinate with families and the Primary Clinician/Case Planners around the child(s)’ needs and progress.
• Transport families or children to and from appointments (e.g., counseling sessions, Parent Skills Training, supervised visits).
• Administer the NYS Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment to identify targeted areas of need.
• Complete progress notes and contributions to Family Assessments and Service Plans within the NYS OCFS Connections system in a timely manner.
• Complete additional program paperwork as needed.
• Advocate for the program and clients with other agencies in the community.
• Collaborate with the Primary Clinician/Case Planner/Family Advocate and the Program Supervisor on prevention cases.

• Competitive pay with an excellent benefits package
• Health Insurance options:
  Medical, Dental and Vision
• Generous combined leave time and paid holidays
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan;
  Pension Plan with agency contribution
• Life Insurance – automatic benefit at no cost to employee
• Paid Training, including…