Senior Program Specialist - Youth

SCOPE OF WORK

The purpose of this position is to ensure program eligibility and tracking for all potential participants seeking services within the youth program. Senior Program Specialists serve as the initial point of contact for the organization and are responsible for ensuring youth are directed to and enrolled within the appropriate program(s) for which they are eligible. The incumbent of this position is responsible for determining and maintaining eligibility, enrollments, conducting work readiness workshops, youth development, job training placement, and performance and outcome requirements.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Direct program development and priorities based on an overall goal to ensure all participants receive individualized, comprehensive, and integrated services to provide opportunities, preparation, and support necessary to successfully transition to a sustainable career path or educational focus
• Identify potentially eligible youth and provide those youths with an orientation covering the full array of applicable services available and how to access those services
• Provide information regarding applicable and appropriate services through other local community programs via referral
• Ensure that youth system services are "transparent" to participants and that all participants are treated similarly
• Determine WIOA eligibility for all youth applicants, including but not limited to gathering, verifying, and certifying eligibility with adequate documentation as dictated by State and WIB policy
• Function as part of the local Workforce Investment System by operating all program linkages, referral processes, and data collection methods necessary to make such a system operational
• Create client files with required documentation for eligibility
• Collect, organize, and analyze information about individuals through records, tests, interviews, and professional sources to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personal characteristics for vocational planning
• Maintain case management files, document contact with customers, employers, school staff, and other partners, and provide all required documentation in a timely manner
• Facilitate one-to-one counseling, case management, orientations, and workshops to assist in preparation for job readiness and resume building
• Remain updated on occupational and local labor market information, program requirements, and regulations affecting participants and employers
• Participate in outreach events, field trips, and meetings with partner agencies as assigned
• Provide exceptional customer service for individuals from various backgrounds, including efficient, precise, and courteous communication in a professional environment; interpret standards and guidelines to youth and answer questions regarding process and application status
• Match job skills with applicant qualifications; refer qualified applicants to employers and conduct necessary follow-up with employers and customers to assist with job placement
• Collect customer timecards at their place of employment, process all timecards with accuracy, and document and track number of hours worked
• Ensure all training occurring in a workplace is monitored and evaluated based on safety, labor laws, adequate supervision, positive work ethics, adherence to the formalized training plan, and the contract
• Initiate and maintain ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives and job placement/training agencies to promote programs for participant placement; make cold calls to potential employers; explain the benefits and employment support services provided by programs to employers, including addressing employer's special needs
• Provide follow-up services for a prescribed period of time
• Research the internet, newspapers, agencies, and other resources for job leads; locate jobs for customers; collect data from employers related to job orders, including job requirements and skills
• Prepare and modify documents, including correspondence, reports, memos, and emails
• Handle inbound calls, schedule appointments, file client files, and other office clerical work
• Perform other duties, including but not…