RTW Employment Specialist

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston

Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have played an essential role in opening doors and creating opportunities for young people across this city. For every youth in Boston and Chelsea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are a life-changing force for opportunity and empowerment that enables future talent to reach their full individual potential as productive citizens and leaders, inspired to make a difference in the Greater Boston community. By reaching 23 communities throughout Boston and Chelsea, no other youth-serving organization engages more young people and families.

About the Role

Based in one of the Clubs, the RTW University Employment Specialist recruits and prepares students for employment throughout the year and identifies work-ready students for appropriate referrals. Working in coordination with the RTW team, the Employment Specialist supports members through selection processes and at worksites, making sure they are meeting employer expectations and engaging in productive work-based learning experiences. This role requires the ability to work effectively with members, employers, Club personnel, and RTW Leadership.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment and Placement
  • Identifies, prepares, and matches students with jobs and internships during the summer and after school.
  • Coordinates career awareness activities, including job shadows, site visits, guest speakers, career fairs, and other career-themed activities suited to members' needs, in conjunction with the RTW team.
• Program Delivery and Workshops
  • Provides one-on-one attention to all members in RTW University, ensuring they understand the opportunities presented and know how to complete applications and submit deliverables on time.
  • Delivers the weekly RTW curriculum in person.
  • Delivers workshops on interview skills, resume writing, and workplace etiquette.
  • Leads career awareness and exploration activities, including career panels, advisory boards, and field trips, in cooperation with Club staff and RTW leadership.
• Worksite Support and Employer Partnerships
  • Supports members and their workplace supervisors at worksites in the use of the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan as a skill development tool.
  • Collaborates with the RTW leadership team to facilitate employer-based programs and activities in partnership with BGCB.
  • Works closely with the RTW Academy Employment Specialist to support students' transition from RTW Academy to RTW University.
• Data Management and Reporting
  • Inputs data on student activities and placements into a centralized database and maintains current data on the active student caseload.
  • Checks progress against work readiness milestones and placement goals on a regular basis.
  • Provides RTW Leadership and the Executive Director with a monthly summary of RTW activities in the Clubs.
• Team Collaboration
  • Meets with the RTW team weekly to discuss progress on goals.
  • Participates in RTW initiatives, particularly those linked to career pathway development and collaboration with college advising organizations.
• General BGCB Expectations
  • Models healthy behavior while working with members, as living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCB priority.
  • Embraces BGCB’s focus on inclusion of all members, regardless of disability or developmental challenge.
  • Participates in annual professional development opportunities to cultivate skills in the youth development field.
  • Shares responsibility for ensuring BGCB remains an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

Requirements

• At least two years of relevant experience, with demonstrated knowledge of youth development, workforce development, and program facilitation, along with experience building relationships with youth support networks such as families and schools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with a range of audiences, including staff, board members, volunteers, and partner organization contacts.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to represent BGCB and Ready to Work in a consistent and professional manner across a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and Zoom, along with the ability to query complex database systems to collect and organize data for research and reporting purposes.
• Willingness and flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for operations and agency events.
• Valid driver's license and ability to commute throughout the Metro-Boston area as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs to assist with transporting donated goods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as youth development, social work, education, human services, or a related discipline.
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual.

Schedule

~10% local travel for outreach and/or to place internship sites and schools. Occasional evenings and weekends required for operations and agency events.

Desired start date: August/September 2026 (position open until filled).

Location

Mattapan, MA (Josh Kraft Mattapan Teen Center).

Pay

$34.06/hour - $36.33/hour, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Competitive benefits and a great work environment.