Youth Development Specialist - LYNC

About the role

The Service Specialist at LYNC plays a crucial role in connecting youth and families to the resources and support they need. This position involves building strong relationships with community partners, facilitating group sessions, and supporting youth academically and vocally.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with community partners, grassroots organizations, and service providers.
• Maintain deep knowledge of local resources and help youth and families access the supports they need.
• Facilitate cognitive-behavioral and life-skills groups that promote positive decision-making and personal growth.
• Support youth academically and vocationally through tutoring, credit recovery, GED assistance, job readiness, and career exploration.
• Create safe, welcoming, culturally responsive spaces where youth feel seen, heard, and empowered.
• Serve as a trusted resource to Juvenile Probation Officers and other community stakeholders.
• Uphold program expectations, complete documentation, and participate in ongoing training and quality assurance.

Requirements

• Ace in an associate’s degree in a related field or 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Cultural competence and the ability to engage diverse youth and families; bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills and comfort facilitating youth groups.
• Knowledge of community resources in the greater Hartford and New Britain areas.
• Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required insurance.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a related field or 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Cultural competence and the ability to engage diverse youth and families; bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills and comfort facilitating youth groups.
• Knowledge of community resources in the greater Hartford and New Britain areas.
• Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required insurance.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends.

Skills

• Community partnerships
• Grassroots organizations
• Service providers
• Local resources
• Youth and family support
• Cognitive-behavioral groups
• Life-skills development
• Positive decision-making
• Academic support
• Vocational support
• Safe, welcoming spaces
• Trusted resource
• Documentation
• Ongoing training

Benefits

The Village offers a comprehensive flexible benefits package designed to aid in the health and well-being of our employees and their dependents. Visit our careers page for more details.

Pay

$19.23 hourly

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate community needs and youth schedules.

Keyword

Community partnerships Grassroots organizations Service providers Local resources Youth and family support Cognitive-behavioral groups Life-skills development Positive decision-making Academic support Vocational support Safe, welcoming spaces Trusted resource Documentation Ongoing training