Resource Specialist

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.

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Resource Specialist is a youth-centered individual who is passionate about supporting transition aged youth currently experiencing homelessness in reaching their education and employment goals. The Resource Specialist provides group-based workshops, drop-in individualized education and employment supports, and develops and maintains critical community resources, partnerships and opportunities to participants. These services are offered at our two onsite Permanent Supportive Housing locations (Mercy Housing and John Burton), our Oakland Headquarter Office for our Scattered Site - Rapid Rehousing/Rising Up Program, as well as in the community. The Resource Specialist will vet and build relationships across multiple Bay Area cities in domains that support TAY to build towards self-sufficiency. This can include but is not limited to public benefits, workforce, career, and community resources. The Resource Specialist must have knowledge in youth centered approaches to support the development of skills in securing and maintaining employment along with a solid understanding of traditional school, post-secondary, vocational and apprenticeship education systems.  The Resource Specialist works with TAY Case Managers to understand youth’s needs and goals, to guide in the identification of community resources that support skills development and barrier removal in the areas of self-sufficiency, independent living, health and wellness, relationships, employment and education, and personal advocacy, and housing stability. ability. This position is required to work onsite, and in the community, primarily in San Francisco and Alameda County Monday – Friday. 

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach and Motivate Youth

• Responsible for organizing and delivering skills building workshops related to career, education, and employment related skills such as resume development, interviewing and job maintenance
• Provide 1-on-1 drop-in support, assisting youth towards reaching identified education and employment goals

• Provide coaching, identify barriers and develop joint-plans to achieve success with youth, Case Manager, and critical supporters identified by youth. 

Cultivate and Development of Community Partnerships

• Responsible for vetting, establishing and maintaining community partnerships and resources including public benefits agencies, mental health resources, workforce training partners, career opportunities and additional community connections
• Partnership and resource development across bay area counties based on youth need
• Conduct assessments to understand TAY unique needs to develop target resource outreach plans
• Initiates and maintains ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives to promote programs for participant placement and referral
• Monitor and track resource referrals and utilization
• Communicates First Place for Youth services and youth needs to increase awareness amongst community partners and potential opportunities
• Support preparation of clients for utilization of community resource and referrals including pre-requisite requirements, application supports, holding information sessions

• Coordinate community events and workshops to assist TAY with independent living skills development and community resource connections

Documentation/Administrative Duties

• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program Manager
• Ensure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notes
• Maintain files for caseload and update paperwork in a timely manner
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department
• Provide documentation to the One System or Apricot data management system
• Other duties as assigned

  Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, business, education or related field required
• Two years of full-time social work or casework in family or child welfare services preferred.
• Two years’ workforce development experience (education systems, workforce development, career coaching) required
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging.
• Experience with transition aged youth, at risk populations, or individuals with lived experience in homelessness, juvenile justice or foster care system preferred.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings.
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check.
• Must have and maintain a car, a valid CA driver’s license, and auto insurance.
• Proven ability to develop authentic, supportive relationships with youth and young adults.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with database systems is a plus.
• Strong communication skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner. 
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

  Benefits:

• 15 days of vacation time in the first year
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 floating holidays
• 15 paid holidays
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
• Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
• Paid baby bonding leave
• Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
• Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan 
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave

*We do not offer reloca