Youth Empowerment Specialist

BCFS Health & Human Services•Tyler, TX

About The Position

The Youth Empowerment Specialist recruits and retains youth for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), facilitates YAC activities, and teaches leadership and life-skills curricula to YAC members and partner groups as needed. The position serves Cherokee County, with frequent travel to Jacksonville and Rusk. A reliable personal vehicle is required, and mileage is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy. The role requires flexibility to support after-hours and weekend activities, including frequent evening and weekend work to accommodate student participants. The specialist coordinates YAC meetings and agendas, incorporates youth feedback into program design and continuous quality improvement, supports youth participation in the CYD Youth Summit, and coaches youth-led social justice projects. The role also conducts assessments and tests, facilitates additional curricula, contributes to community needs assessments, and maintains a welcoming and inclusive environment. The specialist follows Positive Youth Development principles, uses Trust Based Relational Intervention strategies, and meets organizational professional and ethical standards. The position requires an associate’s degree in a related field and two years of experience working with youth ages 6–17. A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a human services field is preferred. The specialist supervises mentors and other volunteers as needed and must maintain required certifications, including First Aid and CPR; have a valid Texas driver’s license, clear driving record, and reliable transportation; and pass the required drug screens and background and motor vehicle checks.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
At least 2 years of experience working with youth ages 6–17.
Maintain certificates required for the position, including but not limited to First Aid and CPR.
Valid Texas driver’s license with a clear driving record and reliable transportation.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens.
Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
Pass pre-employment and biennial criminal background and motor vehicle checks; fingerprints are required if the applicant has lived out of state within the past 5 years.
Communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, independently without intensive supervision, and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Maintain the computer literacy needed to fulfill the position’s responsibilities.
Respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Travel as needed.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education, or a human services field.

Responsibilities

Recruit and retain youth to serve on the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
Coordinate YAC meetings in accordance with grant requirements, develop agendas, and facilitate meetings.
Integrate YAC feedback into ongoing program design and continuous quality improvement.
Serve as a YAC coordinator contact and liaison during CYD Youth Summit planning; attend the summit with youth and support them there.
Facilitate leadership curriculum for YAC and Youth Leadership D participants.
Complete program intake assessments and required pre- and post-tests.
Coach, oversee, and support YAC and YLD social justice projects.
Train in and facilitate other program curricula, including violence prevention, independent living skills development, and substance use prevention.
Ensure a welcoming and deliberately inclusive environment for participants.
Participate in the annual Community Strengths and Needs Assessment process, including distributing surveys, facilitating focus groups and interviews, providing feedback, and compiling and analyzing program data.
Apply Positive Youth Development framework principles and Trust Based Relational Intervention strategies.
Work evenings and weekends as needed to accommodate student participants.
Maintain professional and ethical standards, show respect for agency staff, youth, and community members, and comply with the required dress code.
Meet grant enrollment and meeting-frequency requirements; support participant retention, curriculum outcomes, project completion, youth satisfaction, safety, and quality assurance targets.
Maintain required position certifications, including First Aid and CPR.
Travel as needed and maintain reliable transportation for work travel.
Perform other duties as assigned in accordance with grant requirements.