ILSP Youth Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. 

About First Place for Youth, We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

  Why Work at First Place For Youth :

• Meaningful Impact :  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
• Innovative Approach:  We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
• Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
• Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

P OSITION SUMMARY:  The ILSP Youth Specialist plays a critical role in supporting a young person as they deal with the excitement, rigors and uncertainty of adulthood and departure from foster care. This position works closely with providers, such as social workers, attorneys, group home personnel, teachers, mental health clinicians and administrators to ensure participants successfully work towards achieving their Education and Employment short- and long-term goals that work towards the youth’s long-term permanency. Critical youth objectives are identifying permanent connections, enrolling in and continuing post-secondary education as well as exploring vocational training and end employment opportunities. The ILSP Youth Specialist meets individually with the youth on their caseload to provide intensive services focusing on education and employment, while working with the primary providers in each participants’ life and providing community resources as needed.

This work is done at the SF ILSP center, at the local high schools throughout the Bay, in the community, and occasionally onsite at our Oakland Headquarter office in person. The ILSP Center is open 10-6:30pm Monday through Friday, with an occasional evening to provide a safe and healthy space for youth to spend time in. This is currently an in-office position requiring onsite work in San Francisco between business hours of 9:30am-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, including 1-2 days per month onsite at our Oakland location, with the occasional evening. Onsite requirement subject to change with notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Support youth to identify and work toward employment and educational goals that support their long-term permanency. 

• Conduct individual case management meetings to assist participants with identifying and progressing towards short- and long-term goals that focus on achieving outcomes in the areas of education, employment, stable housing, parenting, relationships and overall health. 
• Assist youth in securing full time, part-time, and summer employment by accompanying youth to job fairs, job interviews and submitting applications as needed. 
• Work with youth participants to create and revise resumes. 
• Counsel youth in career exploration and job retention. 
• Case coordinate with community service providers to ensure youth develop and maintain employment plans. 
• Coach youth participants on handling work-related issues and promote self-advocacy. 
• Facilitate or co-facilitate in person or virtual workshops for youth participants on vocational, educational and career-related topics. 
• Counsel youth participants on available financial aid and assist them in the application process. 
• Interface with special education departments and staff, support IEP meetings for youth. 
• Work with external service providers to ensure youth develop and maintain their educational plan. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Case Coordinate and link youth to community resources, act as an advocate and resource in all youth services towards their education and employment goals. 

• Coordinate education and employment services with external services providers where youth are housed. 
• Identify and advocate for services that youth need in order to reach their goals. 
• Provide crisis service resources and referral for homeless and runaway youth. 
• Leverage external provider support to ensure youth receive essential services and resources. 
• Build strong partner relationships with county social workers, group homes, TLPs, and other key community resources for in-care and out of care youth. 

Documentation/Administrative Duties 

• Ensure youth are meeting Action Plan goals with respect to employment and education. 
• Enter all data on time and correctly to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department. 
• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with SF ILSP Manager. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

  Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Three years of experience working with at-risk youth, preferably current and former foster youth preferred. 
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers.
• Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills. 
• One year of experience working with youth in career development and job placement capacities preferred. 
• Excellent knowledge of education and employment resources for youth in the Bay Area. 
• General knowledge of the issues facing transitioning foster youth. 
• Experience in yo