RTW Employment Specialist

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston•Mattapan, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have played an essential role in opening doors and creating opportunities for young people across this city. For every youth in Boston and Chelsea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are a life-changing force for opportunity and empowerment that enables future talent to reach their full individual potential as productive citizens and leaders, inspired to make a difference in the Greater Boston community. By reaching 22 of 23 communities throughout Boston and Chelsea, no other youth serving organization engages more young people and families. Learn more at www.bgcb.org and join us in transforming our members, our communities, our city! POSITION OVERVIEW Based in one of the Clubs, the RTW University Employment Specialist recruits and prepares students for employment throughout the year and identifies work-ready students for appropriate referrals. Working in coordination with the RTW team, the Employment Specialist supports members through selection processes and at worksites, making sure they are meeting employer expectations and engaging in productive work-based learning experiences. This role requires the ability to work effectively with members, employers, Club personnel, and RTW Leadership.

Requirements

At least two years of relevant experience, with demonstrated knowledge of youth development, workforce development, and program facilitation, along with experience building relationships with youth support networks such as families and schools.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with a range of audiences, including staff, board members, volunteers, and partner organization contacts.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
Ability to represent BGCB and Ready to Work in a consistent and professional manner across a variety of audiences.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and Zoom, along with the ability to query complex database systems to collect and organize data for research and reporting purposes.
Willingness and flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for operations and agency events.
Valid driver's license and ability to commute throughout the Metro-Boston area as needed.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs to assist with transporting donated goods.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as youth development, social work, education, human services, or a related discipline
Bi-lingual or multi-lingual

Responsibilities

Identifies, prepares, and matches students with jobs and internships during the summer and after school.
Coordinates career awareness activities, including job shadows and site visits, along with guest speakers, career fairs, and other career-themed activities suited to members' needs, in conjunction with the RTW team.
Provides one-on-one attention to all members in RTW University, making sure they understand the opportunities presented to them and know how to complete applications and submit deliverables on time.
Delivers the weekly RTW curriculum in person.
Delivers workshops on interview skills, resume writing, and workplace etiquette.
Leads career awareness and exploration activities, including career panels, advisory boards, and field trips, in cooperation with Club staff and RTW leadership.
Supports members and their workplace supervisors at worksites in the use of the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan as a skill development tool.
Collaborates with the RTW leadership team to facilitate employer-based programs and activities in partnership with BGCB.
Works closely with the RTW Academy Employment Specialist to support students' transition from RTW Academy to RTW University.
Inputs data on student activities and placements into a centralized database and maintains current data on the active student caseload.
Checks progress against work readiness milestones and placement goals on a regular basis.
Provides RTW Leadership and the Executive Director with a monthly summary of RTW activities in the Clubs.
Meets with the RTW team weekly to discuss progress on goals.
Participates in RTW initiatives, particularly those linked to career pathway development and collaboration with college advising organizations.
Teaching youth/teens the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCB priority. As a result, all staff is expected to model healthy behavior while working with our members.
BGCB values creating child-friendly environments, where youth/teens of all abilities can be successful and participate. BGCB expects employees to embrace its focus on inclusion of all members, regardless of disability or developmental challenge.
Building the capacity of staff is central to BGCB. The organization encourages and requires that all staff participates in annual professional development opportunities that continue to cultivate their skills in the youth development field.
Every staff member shares the responsibility for ensuring BGCB is, and remains, an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.