Bilingual Youth Engagement Specialist

Oak Park Township•Oak Park, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Specialist builds collaborations between systems and agencies to assist youth in Oak Park and River Forest Communities. The Engagement Specialist conducts individual counseling with youth, group counseling with youth, mentoring, and community outreach. The Engagement Specialist assists youth and families, and implements programming geared toward youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities.

Requirements

Must be bilingual in both English and Spanish
Master’s in social work, counseling, psychology.
Knowledge of the DSM 5.
Must have a valid driver's license and reliable/consistent transportation.

Nice To Haves

Working with youth and families (preferred)
LCSW or LCPC (preferred)
Knowledge of youth mental health, specifically anxiety and depression, substance abuse, trauma, aggression, and behavioral problems, gangs.
Knowledge of social work, counseling, psychology.
Knowledge of criminal justice and approaches used by law enforcement in local, state, and federal environments; juvenile law and court systems.
Knowledge of ethical standards and codes of conduct in dealing with clients and public.
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
Knowledge of conflict resolution.
Skill in time management and prioritizing work.
Skill in verbal and written communication and organization.
Skill in facilitation and group leadership.
Skill in mediation and collaboration building.
Ability to maintain relationships with community organizations and administrators.
Ability to facilitate presentations and trainings for youth, parents, community associations, and other public groups.
Ability to remain calm in stressful and crisis situations.

Responsibilities

Conducts individual counseling with youth, group counseling with youth, mentoring, and community outreach.
Assists youth and families, and implements programming geared toward youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities.
Carries a caseload of 20 individuals for counseling and interventions.
Performs crisis intervention, making social diagnostic assessments, and assists in developing a comprehensive treatment plan for clients.
Runs groups during the school year that focus on current events, trends, and needs.
Collaborates closely with families, school personnel, mental health professionals, and other agencies associated with client.
Sees clients in the office, their homes, school, and other areas outside of the office.
Helps provide wraparound services by encouraging and referring youth, families, parents/guardians to other community services and activities.
Maintains and completes documentation related to job duties in a timely manner.
Initiates and maintains contact (via phone, email, or in person) with youth, parents/guardians, families, mentors, therapists, police, and other community agencies involved in youth’s case.
Maintains relationships and partnerships with current agencies and organizations that serve youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities.
Conducts community outreach events, including but not limited to, park visits, library visits, trainings for partner agencies staff, workshops for parents and youth, partner outreach events, and Township outreach events.
Assists agencies in developing long-term community-based strategic plans to help with village-wide prevention efforts regarding youth; including implementing goals/strategies.
Keeps Manager informed regarding community issues and sensitive topics.
Participates in weekly supervision with Youth Engagement Manager and participates in weekly Youth and Family Services Team Meetings.
Performs other duties as assigned.