Youth Specialist II

Position Summary

Youth Specialist II’s are responsible for guiding young male-identifying youth in grades 6 – 12 to learn, internalize, and practice social skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive members of their school and community. Drawing on their academic training in psychology, social work, or counseling, BAM Youth Specialist II’s use evidence-informed practices, trauma-informed engagement, and culturally responsive approaches to support the personal growth of youth.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate 4 – 5 weekly BAM groups during the school day, utilizing youth engagement, clinical counseling, and men’s rites of passages skills.
• Provide individualized support to all BAM participants, and provide individual, family, and crisis counseling sessions to students on an as-needed basis.
• Provide trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate support to BAM participants, including one-on-one check-ins, case management, and goal setting as needed.
• Participate in monthly staff development training and team meetings on the evidence-based BAM curriculum and other topics relevant to working with youth.
• Participate in supervision and coaching to ensure fidelity of program delivery.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessments, and short-term individual interventions to students as needed, in alignment with best practices in adolescent mental health care and school-based clinical protocols.
• Document all interactions with youth, including group and individual case notes, clinical assessments, brief encounters, special events, program consents, pre/post surveys, and monthly program narratives based on program protocol (within 24 hrs).
• Work jointly with Sr. Youth Specialist and leadership to manage an annual program budget to plan and execute field trips and special events for students throughout the school year and summer.
• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and other Youth Guidance programs to provide, and participate in professional development sessions.
• Collaborate and/or coordinate services with the Local School Council, Youth Guidance Parent Family Engagement team, and school-parent engagement team.
• Participate in Journey to Self-Discovery Rites of Passage Training

Qualifications

• Academic training in psychology, social work, or counseling.
• Evidence-informed practices, trauma-informed engagement, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Experience leading and facilitating group sessions.
• Ability to provide individual and family counseling.
• Knowledge of adolescent mental health care and school-based clinical protocols.
• Proficiency in documenting interactions and creating program narratives.
• Experience managing budgets and planning events.
• Collaborative skills and ability to work with school administration, teachers, and other programs.
• Experience with rites of passage training.