Vocational Specialist

LOCATION: Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of LI Residential Programs

DEPARTMENT: Long Island Residential Services

SCHEDULE: Part-Time (20 hours/week)

Mercy First is a not‑for‑profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life‑changing interventions.

We provide community‑based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short‑term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, Mercy First serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families who overcome enormous obstacles, re‑imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

The RISE program was designed to meet the complex needs of youth who have become involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, but for whom treatment, within a therapeutic environment, is the recommended approach to growth and change for both the youth and family/primary caretaker. Since its inception in 2018, the Raise the Age program at Mercy First has helped a high percentage of youth and families served by the program achieve positive outcomes.

The overall goal of the RISE – RTA Program is to successfully engage youth and family in trauma‑focused, strengths‑based, culturally competent, and family‑centered treatment. Individualized service plans promote accelerated family reunification and safe re‑entry of youth to their community. The program is designed to promote safety, stability, and prosocial growth, reduce delinquent behaviors, improve family functioning, and create supportive linkages and connections to community resources upon discharge from the program.

Under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Long Island Residential Programs, the Vocational Specialist will provide direct supervision to youth as they obtain both on and off campus employment.

• Bachelor’s Degree With +2 years of experience OR Master Degree

• Completes assessment of experiences and interests with youth upon placement in program.
• Assesses for job readiness.
• Identify career goals and individualize each plan for youth.
• Directly supervise and support youth in all on‑campus work experiences.
• Host pre‑employment training workshops for youth.
• Evaluates youth’s job performances.
• Assist and support youth in job searches in their local community while preparing for discharge/ aftercare.
• Monthly phone check‑ins with youth during aftercare to monitor youth’s employment experiences.
• Conduct workshops pertaining to job applications, resume writing, employment etiquette, problem solving, communication, etc.
• Formulate positive relationships with businesses to potentially place youth for employment.
• Host Career Day / fairs.
• Utilize Career Zone with youth.
• Create job shadowing opportunities for youth.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for residents.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with residents and staff.

Salary Range:

Bachelor Degree: $26/hr.

- $28/hr.

Master Degree: $29/hr.

- $31/hr.

Mercy First is an inclusive, anti‑racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law.

This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.