Youth Employment Specialist

Requisition ID 6654 -Posted - DYS - Juvenile Employment - Grant Services - Aftergut Center Headquarters - Community Social Services - 75% Required Travel: 75% Position Type: Hourly Full-Time Hourly Rate: :$22 MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries is looking for an energetic, self-motivated, and professional Youth Employment Specialist to join our DYS - Juvenile Employment team! The ideal candidate will support our mission, "Changing Lives Through the Power of Work!" and embody our core values of diversity, integrity, passion, professionalism, respect, and responsibility. If you're seeking an opportunity that empowers you to achieve new goals while pursuing a mission-driven career, then this is the perfect fit for you. About the Role The Youth Employment Specialist supports justice-involved youth in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment. This position combines professional development, employer engagement, and retention support to help youth build long-term employment success and career readiness. The Youth Employment Specialist works in close coordination with the Youth Case Manager in shared support of participants. This role requires some evening hours, is highly field-based and requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to build productive relationships with youth, employers, court personnel, and families. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, human services, business, or related field preferred. High school diploma/equivalent required. Experience working with justice-involved or high-risk youth and families preferred. Experience in sales, recruiting, staffing, workforce development, or business development is strongly preferred. Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable personal vehicle required to transport youth. Primary Duties/Responsibilities Review referral information, communicate and collaborate with juvenile officers, court personnel, guardians, schools, employers, and community partners regarding participant activities. Establish professional relationships and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants to develop and successfully execute an individualized employment plan. Provide individual and group job readiness training including job assessments, resume writing, job applications, interviewing skills, workplace communication, professional behavior, and career planning. Assist youth with overcoming barriers to employment such as obtaining interview and work clothing as needed. Conduct outreach, cold calling, networking, and field-based job development with local employers willing to hire youth. Conduct employer visits and maintain ongoing communication regarding youth performance to support successful retention. Meet established performance goals related to job development, placement, and retention outcomes. Maintains an average of 3+ new starts each month. Maintains an average of 3+ placements per month. Maintains a minimum 60% placement rate for youth closed from services. Maintains a minimum of 40% 90-day retention rate for all youth placed. Timely documentation of all services, progress notes, employment activity, and outcomes in agency systems. Attend staff meetings, training, and supervision meetings as required. Other duties as assigned. Individual and family medical benefits for full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week. Individual and family dental and vision benefits on the first of the month following the hire date for employees working 20 or more hours week. Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance on the first of the month following the hire date for employees working 20 or more hours per week. 403(B) Retirement on date of hire for employees working 20 or more hours per week. 403(B) Retirement + Employer Match after one year of employment for employees working 20 or more hours per week. 401(A) Retirement on date of hire for employees working 20 or more hours per week. PTO Accrual up to 15 days based on hours worked. Paid holidays Flexible Schedules MERS Missouri Goodwill is an equal-opportunity employer. MERS Goodwill does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor. MERS Missouri Goodwill requires various background and records checks upon employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr MERS / Missouri Goodwill Industries