Youth Support Specialist

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Youth Services Specialist Job Description

Organization Overview

The Bloc envisions a Chicago where every young person has the tools needed to be the champion of their own life. To achieve this in our community, we cultivate the love of boxing to share transformational resources with Chicago’s West Side youth and communities.

Youth in our program have maintained 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rates since 2016 while training to become championship boxers. Through our direct community support initiatives, we distribute over 6,000 pounds of fresh produce to our neighbors monthly and provide household supplies and seasonal items. By partnering with youth and our community, we create the conditions for enduring peace.

Youth Services Specialist

The Bloc is seeking a Youth Service specialist (YSS) to organize and direct resources, opportunities, and relationships for young people in our program. The Youth Services Specialist will support a caseload of fighters by seeking, securing, and providing holistic support and services.

Responsibilities

Case Management: Provide various educational, social/emotional, vocational, and critical needs case management services to youth ages 10-19

Data Collection and Reporting: Collect, analyze, and report data about the case management process to improve organizational processes

Relationship Building: Build intentional relationships with all stakeholders

Ability to create a 360 assessment of a young person to seek wraparound support and services to fulfill fighters’ physical, psychological, and social needs

Advise managers and directors on potential partnership needs to promote fighter success

Support with community events and activities

Complete outreach and coordination with partner organizations when appropriate

Conduct home, school, and stakeholder visits as needed

Complete other tasks as assigned to support program health and functioning

Prioritize and understand student needs and take initiative to assess their needs on a regular basis

Qualifications:

Dedicated to providing resources and opportunities to Chicago’s West Side youth

Passionate about racial justice, gender equality, and equity with a knowledge of youth development and restorative practices

Relationship-building skills with history of building connections with families, schools, and students

History of social and casework as it pertains to youth

A proven track record of creating and investing youth in action plans

Previous experience with managing competing priorities of caseloads

Ability to assess, understand, and prioritize student needs and react accordingly

Possess a knowledge of outside support resources available to our fighters

Organized and able to prioritize vital objectives

Eager to take initiative

Conversational Spanish speaking is strongly preferred

MSW is strongly preferred

Working Conditions:

Full-Time/On-Site This position requires frequent off-site locations Occasional non-standard working hours (evenings, weekends) may be necessary to complete job duties

Compensation:

Salary: $55,000 - $62,000 Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical benefits packages with a generous time off policy Location: The Bloc, 1345 N Karlov Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651