Youth Development Specialist

Family Connections, Inc.•Maplewood, NJ

2d•$24 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Development Specialist will foster social development through the facilitation of recreation and psycho-educational groups. This role requires a commitment to the value of a nurturing family, a strengths-based perspective, and effective collaboration with other service systems. The specialist will prioritize consumers and adhere to all agency policies and procedures, including quality improvement initiatives. Professionalism, including teamwork, respect for colleagues, and maintaining confidentiality, is paramount. The role also emphasizes self-care, a healthy work-life balance, and ensuring the safety of others. Punctuality, good attendance, and meeting productivity requirements are expected. Ethical decision-making and problem-solving skills are essential.

Requirements

Minimum High School diploma
3 years experience as a youth service worker
Proven ability to work with adolescents in an urban setting
Knowledge of adolescent development
Knowledge of community resources
Knowledge of group process
Ability to create a warm, non-threatening therapeutic atmosphere
Ability to provide non-judgmental responses
Ability to counsel adolescents
Ability to work as a member of a team
Ability to advocate for students with school personnel
Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and eligible for full-time employment on a W‑2 basis.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in human services field preferred

Responsibilities

Supervise and coordinate recreational programming and field trips.
Build and maintain rapport; interacting with students during appropriate times to facilitate social skill development, and advocating for students, as needed.
Facilitate prevention and psycho-educational groups.
Insure documentation and data input into Management Information System is completed in timely fashion.
Provide case management to students as necessary.
Monitor students’ academic and behavioral progress.
Assist in the development and marketing of programs in the school environment and community.
Discuss all suspected cases of abuse and neglect with Manager/Coordinator and report to DCP&P.
Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Manager/Coordinator of SBYSP.