Career Readiness Specialist

SCO Family of Services • Brooklyn, NY

1d

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 and prepare them for meaningful careers and economic self-sufficiency. The Specialist supports youth in gaining hands-on work experience through internships, connecting with trained mentors, continuing their education, and accessing programs, resources, and opportunities aligned with their goals. The role also provides ongoing social and emotional support, including connections to peer groups.

The program is community-based, meeting youth where it works best for them, and uses a systemic approach that considers their community, peers, family, and school. It addresses a comprehensive range of needs and goals, including academic, career, housing, and relationships. The Specialist coordinates with youth and other supports to facilitate internships and employment, build career readiness, and assist with housing and independent living needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Extensive experience working with youth.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Empathy toward the populations served and a 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, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and with varied cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
• Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or who are discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Strong time-management skills, diligence, and resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Valid New York State driver’s license 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 to find jobs, succeed in the workplace, and understand workplace policies.
• Help youth navigate workplace challenges, celebrate successes, and prepare for next steps, including requesting accommodations and managing workplace conflict.
• Assist each youth in selecting at least one career development experience each year aligned with their interests and academic situation or background.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, foster parents, and parents as needed to help youth achieve their goals and support their well-being.
• Provide persistence coaching by regularly checking in with young people 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.
• Facilitate PYA monthly workshops.
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings.
• 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.
• Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support them through the move-in process, and provide continued support with housing stability.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time