Youth Employment Specialist

About the Role

The Youth Employment Specialist helps young adults find competitive employment and build workforce-related strengths. This involves recruiting participants, matching them with jobs that align with their strengths and interests, and maintaining detailed records of all job-related activities. Building relationships with state agencies, schools, parents, students, and employers is essential.

Responsibilities

• Meet assigned Bridges outcome goals.
• Foster and maintain youth relationships to establish commitment to services.
• Provide assessments, individualized training, and guidance to assist youth toward career goals.
• Identify and address barriers to employment.
• Provide follow-up services to support growth as participants gain experience and skills.
• Maintain accurate records to document program activities.
• Manage and represent the "Bridges" brand.
• Maintain relationships with school districts, employers, parents/guardians, counselors, state agencies, and colleagues.
• Attend meetings with stakeholders regularly.
• Facilitate transportation for participants.
• Maintain participant files and records in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Perform general administrative responsibilities.
• Recruit and enroll an appropriate caseload of program participants.
• Assess skills, interests, and experience of each young adult.
• Identify employment challenges and create practical strategies to address them.
• Develop an active pool of employers offering jobs aligned with participants' objectives.
• Assess critical success factors for jobs and create mutually beneficial matches.
• Re-place youth as needed to achieve retention outcomes or support vocational growth.
• Provide support to youth and employers to ensure employment success and vocational growth, including:
  • Assistance with initial training, orientation, and job coaching.
  • Guidance on modifying training materials to fit individual learning styles.
  • Support with public transportation or other peripheral issues impacting employment.
  • Appraisal and assistance with employer job accommodations.
  • Facilitation of regular formal appraisals of on-the-job performance.
  • Assistance in identifying and accessing off-the-job supports or development opportunities (e.g., training, assistive equipment).
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree or equivalent qualifying work experience.
• Formal training and/or experience in:
  • School-to-work transition (experience with students with disabilities desirable).
  • Case management.
  • Job development or employment support.
  • Sales, marketing, and networking.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including:
  • Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to build, facilitate, and participate in collaboration between diverse groups.
  • Ability to interpret and address the needs of diverse constituents.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to frequent changes, perform multiple tasks, and prioritize accordingly.
• Knowledge of technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, database management systems, and internet-based platforms.
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Must be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC where allowed by local mandate.
• Valid driver’s license (where applicable).
• Ability to safely transport participants to and from interviews, meetings, and appointments in a timely manner. If using own transportation, must pass MVR and insurance requirements.
• Bilingual is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to navigate inside schools, business locations, and the local community.
• Ability to operate a vehicle or proficiency in using public transportation for commuting to various locations.
• Ability to operate general office equipment.