Service Specialist LYNC - New Britain

Job Tracking ID: 512620-912682 Job Location: New Britain, CT Job Level: Any Level of Education: High School/GED Job Type: Full-Time/Regular Years of Experience: Any Starting Date: ASAP Salary: $19.24 per hour Work Hours: 40 hours per week Job Summary The Service Specialist has two primary roles within LYNC: Resource Specialist and Intervention Specialist. The position involves connecting with community resources, building and maintaining relationships with providers, facilitating cognitive-behavioral and life skills groups for youth, and working closely with the LYNC Family Advocate to identify resources for youth and families. Service Specialists may also provide educational and vocational supports, individual tutoring, life skills and employment groups; assist youth with career exploration, job seeking; support academic success and reduce truancy; connect youth to programs that help them achieve their goals; and develop relationships with community organizations to support educational and vocational needs. Key Responsibilities Research and maintain up-to-date information on community resources. Develop and sustain relationships with identified MOU agencies. Cultivate and maintain relationships with a variety of community organizations, groups, and entities. Implement educational and vocational services to youth per individual Risk Reduction and Sustainability Plans. Maintain a collaborative relationship with community providers. Maintain an accurate resource catalog for each town in the catchment area. Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness. Assist the Family Advocate in identifying available resources for LYNC youth and families. Attend all required trainings and meetings. Facilitate cognitive-behavioral groups according to each model. Participate in all quality assurance activities, including recording groups and submitting tapes to a QA Coach. Engage in strength-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive interactions with youth and families. Uphold all program expectations. Promote a safe, welcoming environment focused on risk reduction and positive behavior change. Accept and perform all new assignments as determined by supervisor. Immediately notify supervisor if a youth may be at risk or if there is a sentinel event. Complete all required program and agency documentation. Serve as a resource to Juvenile Probation Officers seeking community resources. Maintain client confidentiality at all times. Assist with transportation as needed. Experience and Skills Education Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in criminal justice, community organizing, human services, sociology, OR a High School Diploma with at least three years’ experience working with the juvenile justice system and/or in communities. Experience Culturally competent; bicultural, bilingual in English/Spanish preferred. Valid state-issued Driver License, own vehicle, and automotive liability insurance. Organized, able to work independently with minimal supervision. Team player, flexible, and able to multitask. Knowledge of greater Hartford and New Britain area community resources. Experience facilitating youth groups. Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to engage families from diverse backgrounds. Creative, innovative, and resourceful. Proficient with word processing, spreadsheet applications, and Windows environments. May require weekend and evening hours. Physically able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. Job Benefits Our benefits package includes comprehensive health coverage, paid time off, employer‑matched retirement savings, tuition assistance, loan forgiveness, and student loan repayment. For more information, visit The Village for Families and Children is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or other federally protected class. Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Village For Families & Children