Career Readiness Specialist

SCO Family of Services • New York, NY

18h

About The Position

As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist works one-on-one with youth in foster care to develop individualized career plans based on their interests and strengths. The Specialist helps youth connect to meaningful careers and prepare for economic self-sufficiency through internships, hands-on work experience, mentorship, education and career guidance, and connections to programs and other resources. The role also provides ongoing social and emotional support, including connecting youth with peer groups.

The Specialist supports youth matched with trained SCO Mentors and coordinates employment-related assistance. The program is community-based, meeting youth where works best for them, and takes a systemic, comprehensive approach to their needs and goals, including academic, career, housing, and relationship goals. The position also supports youth with housing applications and transitions toward independent living. The role is based in Brooklyn, Queens, or Brentwood.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and extensive experience working with youth.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, empathy toward populations served, and passion for child welfare.
• Ability to respond to the developmental needs of children at different stages, including early childhood, school age, and young adulthood.
• Ability to work with parents and children with histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and with varied cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
• Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, including those discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Strong time-management skills, diligence, resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Valid New York State driver’s license required, or a timeframe for obtaining one.
• Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in education and foster care.
• Experience with CONNECTIONS.
• Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized career assessments and facilitate career readiness workshops.
• Help youth develop skills for entering and succeeding in the workplace, including understanding workplace policies and navigating challenges such as requesting accommodations and managing conflict.
• Assist each youth in selecting at least one career development experience annually that aligns with their interests and academic situation or background.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, foster parents, and parents as needed to support youth goals and well-being.
• Provide persistence coaching through regular check-ins with youth enrolled in external programs.
• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Connect youth to peer-group supports and foster positive relationships.
• Transport youth to and from employment when necessary.
• Assist youth with obtaining working papers when needed.
• Complete PYA tasks, including the PAT Tool, as needed.
• Complete the Youth Voice Questionnaire for youth aged 14 and older, as needed.
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth and PYA monthly workshops.
• Attend and complete Fair Futures trainings, and enter child information into required data platforms and systems.
• Coordinate with the housing specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications by age 18 when appropriate.
• Accompany youth to housing interviews and visits when needed.
• Help youth obtain furniture, support their move-in process, and provide ongoing assistance with housing stability.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time