Employment Specialist

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network • Arlington, MA

27d • $21 - $27

About The Position

Wayside Youth and Family Support Network’s Young Adult Program is seeking a compassionate, dedicated Employment Specialist to support young adults ages 18–25 as they transition to independent adulthood. The role works as part of the Twelve Prescott and Merrimack Valley Young Adult Programs, helping participants explore employment, volunteer, and training options and build work skills that can lead to competitive employment. The position serves locations in Arlington and Methuen.

The Employment Specialist engages community employers to develop opportunities suited to young adults’ interests and strengths, and provides job coaching to help participants achieve and maintain competitive employment. The role also provides life-skills assessment and education or training, employment assistance, career development, and apprentice job matching; develops, monitors, and evaluates apprenticeship experiences; and completes required documentation. The Specialist participates in weekly and other required agency meetings and trainings, supervision with the Program Director, and assigned community meetings, while following agency policies and procedures.

Wayside describes a supportive culture that promotes balance between personal responsibilities and professional development. The agency will provide training in Motivational Interviewing, the Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC), Courageous Conversations, CPR, and First Aid.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Previous experience providing employment support and/or training.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Charisma, empathy, dedication, reliability, teamwork, self-awareness, and good time-management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a community-based and/or residential setting with youth is preferred.
• Bilingual/bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Support young adults ages 18–25 who are transitioning to independent adulthood and exploring employment, volunteer, and training options.
• Engage community employers to create opportunities that match job seekers’ interests and strengths.
• Provide job coaching to help young adults achieve and maintain competitive employment.
• Provide individual and group life-skills assessment and education or training.
• Provide employment assistance and career development, and match identified participants with apprenticeship opportunities.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate apprenticeship experiences.
• Complete required documentation.
• Participate in weekly and other required agency staff meetings, agency trainings, supervision with the Program Director, and assigned community meetings.
• Ensure compliance with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network policies and procedures.

Benefits

• $2,000 sign-on bonus, paid half after 6 months and half after 1 year of employment; prorated for part-time employees.
• Tuition and training reimbursement.
• PTO package with 3 wellness days.
• 9 paid holidays.
• Up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year.
• Free training and CEUs.
• Medical benefits.
• Financial health supports.
• Career development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED