Youth Specialist

Supervisor: Director of Children, Youth, and Family Programs

Status: Non-exempt

Benefit Status: Full time

JOB SUMMARY:
The Youth Specialist is responsible for working directly with youth in area schools, in the community, and in the Division of Youth Services facilities, as well as with adults that are engaged with youth to increase developmental assets among area youth.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS MAY INCLUDE:

1. Plan, facilitate, and/or assist with Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri's youth programs, including Community Mentoring and/or THRIVE Initiative as assigned.
2. Communicate with organizations that represent youth to determine needs and interests of youth.
3. Participate in collaborations with community agencies and develop collaborative agreements to assist and improve services for youth.
4. Facilitate awareness and use of 40 Developmental Assets Initiative to increase number of positive assets in youth.
5. Develop and maintain cooperative, professional and responsive relationships with DYS and non-DYS service providers, community resources, and co-workers.
6. Provide continuing support of Division of Youth Services (DYS) staff and student use of the Developmental Assets and resource materials in the Southeast Region.
7. Provide support to select non-residentially placed DYS youth in conjunction with an assigned DYS service coordinator, which includes barrier removal support such as, clothing, positive youth development and recreational activities, and employment skills.
8. Record information on and prepare reports concerning youth programs, costs, numbers of participants and equipment and facility use
9. Updated website and/or Facebook pages.
10. Help to ensure the overall success of Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri by performing all other duties as assigned.
11. Abide by the rules, regulations and adopted policies of Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, community development, education, child development, psychology or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of experience involving group and individual facilitation with youth. Program administration or residential care may be substituted for each year of required education.
• Ability to pass background screening.
• Valid driver's license, vehicle, and insurance.
• Ability to work evenings or occasional Saturday, as needed.
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively as a member of a team to accomplish team goals.
• Individual must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be computer literate, out-going, creative and resourceful, a self-starter, and professional.

SKILLS:

Ability to administer youth programs

Team building skills

Time management skills

Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team

Strong ability to represent the interests of Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri

Interact effectively with a diverse group

Build successful collaborative relationships with program participants, other organizational staff, and community partners.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In the course of performing the job, this position typically spends time sitting for prolonged periods, standing, climbing stairs, walking, carrying (20lbs), and lifting (20lbs). Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously. Perform some repetitive motion activities. Accurately complete detail forms and reports. Operating a computer keyboard, firm/strong grasping. Makes and receives telephone calls. Use of general office equipment copier, fax machine and basic office equipment.

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