Youth Engagement Specialist

Location: Kankakee, Illinois

Summary
The Youth Engagement Specialist provides direct support and intervention services to youth through individual sessions, crisis response, and collaboration with community partners. This role manages a caseload of participants, delivers strengths-based services, and supports program goals through accurate documentation and outcome tracking. The Youth Engagement Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring youth voice and satisfaction are reflected in service delivery and contributes to ongoing program improvement through peer observation and engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Include the following: other duties may be assigned as needed:
* Maintain an active caseload of 15-20 participants, adjusted based on program needs and supervisor guidance
* Respond to crisis calls and provide on-site crisis support
* Conduct one-on-one sessions with youth participants as assigned
* Document participant progress and session outcomes per program procedures
* Participate in peer session observations
* Collaborate with community partners to support youth engagement and service coordination
* Collect and review Youth Satisfaction Surveys related to individual services

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
* Competitive Pay $24.04/hour
* Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
* Disability & Life Insurance
* Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
* Retirement Plan
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* Employee Discounts on services like cell phones, restaurants, and more

Training Requirements
* Complete all Core Curriculum training(s) required for the position
* Comply with IDHS program standards and CCBYS requirements
* Adhere to the State of Illinois mandated reporting law
* Complete all required Federal, IDHS, and agency-mandated training, meetings, and workshops
* Complete other duties as assigned

Trauma-Informed Care Commitment
Staff are expected to apply the "5 S's" in all work:
* Safety (physical and emotional)
* Self-regulation (manage one's emotions during support efforts)
* Supportiveness (build respectful, caring relationships)
* Strengths-based (identify and reinforce clients' positive traits)
* Self-care (manage secondary stress reactions)
In addition, staff are encouraged to integrate the 7 Essential Ingredients (7ei) of trauma-informed care:
* Prevalence, Impact, Perspective Shift, Regulation, Relationship, Reason to Be, and Caregiver Capacity

Qualifications
Education and Experience
* Bachelor's degree (BA/BS/BSW) required with Human services focus
* Experience with at-risk youth preferred

Skills and Abilities
* Ability to read, write, and interpret case notes and procedures
* Capable of leading one-on-one or small group discussions
* Comfortable solving practical problems with limited standardization
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to interpret instructions in various formats (written, oral, diagram, schedule)
Performance Improvement
* Understand and apply Aunt Martha's 5-step PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) Performance Improvement process

Other Requirements
* Availability for evening and weekend hours as needed
* Must transport clients in personal vehicle
* Valid Illinois driver's license with a clear driving record
* Proof of current automobile insurance
* Must accept and apply constructive feedback

Age-Specific Care
This position supports individuals across all age groups, including:
* Neonatal, Infant, Pediatric, Adolescent, Young Adult, and Adult

Client Populations Served
Youth may present with the following needs:
* Substance Abuse, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect
* Pregnant and/or Parenting, Delinquency, Cognitive Delay
* Homelessness, Mental Illness, Developmental Delay
* Verbal, Physical, or Sexual Aggression
* Physical Disabilities, Runaways/Lockouts