Youth Development Specialist The Map Program

Position Title: Youth Development Specialist
Reports To: SBYSP Manager
Broad Function: To foster social development through facilitation of recreation and psycho-educational groups.

CORE VALUES:

1. Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agencys clients and coworkers cultural and socioeconomic characteristics i.e. is flexible in presentation of profession self has the ability to connect with diverse populations and has the skills to integrate culture throughout the clinical process with respect to race color creed religion gender ethnicity language sexual orientation age appearance mental and/or physical capability etc. (Culture is defined as membership in a group which shares values experiences and beliefs.)
2. Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
3. Works from a strengths-based perspective.
4. Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e.; child protective juvenile justice division on aging probation and parole) maximizes resources to assist client.
5. Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately.
6. Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures participates in either the QI Committee or a Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of and adheres to QI policies and procedures.

PROFESSIONALISM:

1. Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member.
2. Respects others professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
3. Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
4. Willing to take on extra work when needed (i.e. when there is a vacancy).
5. Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy policies and procedures.
6. Is courteous approachable and cooperative towards others and conducts self in a mature competent confident and respectful manner.
7. Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients co-workers and agency consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and protects personal health information in written verbal and electronic forms.
8. Practices self- care has a sense of humor and possess a healthy work/ life balance important to providing great customer service.
9. Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards injuries equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies (universal precautions etc.).
10. In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team.
11. Maintains good attendance (i.e. Maintains FT or PT schedule as contracted and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.)
12. Is punctual for client appointments meetings etc.
13. Meets program productivity requirements.
14. Uses good judgment practices ethical decision-making and explores all options in problem solving.

SUPERVISION:

1. Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared.
2. Documents supervision.
3. Able to receive feedback and to learn from it.
4. Has insight about self (i.e. strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.
Youth Development Specialist responsibilities include:
1. Supervise and coordinate recreational programming and field trips.
2. Build and maintain rapport; interacting with students during appropriate times to facilitate social skill development and advocating for students as needed.
3. Facilitate prevention and psycho-educational groups.
4. Insure documentation and data input into Management Information System is completed in timely fashion.
5. Provide case management to students as necessary.
6. Monitor students academic and behavioral progress.
7. Assist in the development and marketing of programs in the school environment and community.
8. Discuss all suspected cases of abuse and neglect with Manager/Coordinator and report to DCP&P.
9. Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Manager/Coordinator of SBYSP.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification: Minimum High School diploma 3 years experience as a youth service worker; Bachelors Degree in human services field preferred.

Experience: Proven ability to work with adolescents in an urban setting.
Knowledge: Knowledge of adolescent development knowledge of community resources knowledge of group process
Skills and Abilities: Ability to create a warm non-threatening therapeutic atmosphere ability to provide non-judgmental responses ability to counsel adolescents ability to work as a member of a team ability to advocate for students with school personnel ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Professional Characteristics: Open warm empathic attentive listener self-aware ethical creative organized flexible open to criticism patient responsible able to work independently mature self-motivated dedicated enthusiastic will to take on additional tasks and responsibilities interested in seeking additional training and skills.

Salary : $22.00 an hour

Location: The Map Program Irvington High School 1253 Clinton Ave Irvington NJ 07111

Vacation & Benefits:

• Vacation: As a full-time employee working generally 35 hours per week you will be eligible to participate in the Family Connections group benefit plans. Benefits include medical dental life insurance long term disability retirement plans and additional supplementary benefits. Yes you can elect to not enroll into these benefits. You will also be eligible to accrue vacation personal and sick days in addition to 12 paid holidays and summer wellness Fridays.

• Benefits also include professional development assistance referral program internal/external trainings Capella University partnership 403b retirement plan with employer matching (3% max) (you can enroll in your 403b without a waiting period) employer-paid life insurance employer paid Long-term Disability (LTD) insurance employer paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance etc.

Family Connections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to excellence. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race sex religion national or ethnic origin disability age veteran status or sexual orientation or other protected classes under the State and Federal law.

Family Connections participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with information from each new employees Form I-9 to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and eligible for fulltime employment on a W2 basis. This role must be performed in a manner that is fully compliant with all applicable federal state and local employment laws including those of the State of New Jersey. C2C 1099 or other nonW2 arrangements are not eligible for consideration.

Required Experience:

Senior IC