SENIOR VOCATIONAL YOUTH COUNSELOR (PROVISIONAL)

Youth Program Coordinator

An incumbent in this class performs senior-level vocational counseling, career readiness, youth leadership development and program coordination duties in support of City youth programming, including the Mayor's Youth Career & Civic Leadership Academy, Mayor's Summer Youth Employment initiatives, and related year-round youth workforce, prevention, civic engagement and leadership activities.

The position is responsible for intake, assessment, case planning, individual and group counseling, career exposure, work-readiness instruction, civic engagement activities, social-emotional development supports, drug and substance use prevention education, referral coordination and follow-up services that help youth and clients prepare for employment, skills training, education, public leadership and positive community participation.

The incumbent develops and implements structured curriculum and activities aligned with workforce development, civic engagement, social-emotional development and prevention education. Work includes job readiness, resumes, interviews, workplace behavior, financial literacy, career pathways, youth voice, community service, local government awareness, neighborhood improvement, voting education, public leadership, confidence building, conflict resolution, communication, decision-making, accountability, goal setting, healthy relationships and prevention-focused decision making.

The incumbent assists the department in identifying, securing and maintaining funding opportunities, sponsorships, partnerships, employer relationships, service-learning opportunities and community resources to support City youth programming and the sustainability and growth of the year-round academy. This position differs from Youth Counselor and Youth Vocational Counselor in the level of responsibility, independent judgment, program leadership, partnership development, reporting and complexity of assignments performed. Immediate supervision is received from the Commissioner of Community Services and Recreational Programming or a designee.

Program Areas of Focus:

• Workforce Development - job readiness, career exposure, resumes, interviews, workplace behavior, financial literacy, employer engagement and career pathways.
• Civic Engagement - youth voice, community service, local government awareness, neighborhood improvement, voting education, responsible citizenship and public leadership.
• Social-Emotional Development and Youth Wellness - Supports youth in developing confidence, communication, conflict resolution, decision-making, accountability, goal setting, healthy relationships, emotional regulation, resilience, and positive coping skills. Identifies barriers that may affect youth participation, including stress, trauma, substance use risk, family challenges, behavioral concerns, or mental health-related needs, and connects youth to appropriate City, school, community, or professional support services as needed.
• Prevention Education - drug and substance use prevention education, healthy choices, protective factors, risk awareness, positive peer influence and referral to appropriate support services.

Minimum Qualifications:

Promotional: Continuous and permanent status in the department of Community Services and Recreational Programming as a Youth Counselor or Vocational Counselor for at least two (2) years.

The City of Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer.