Youth Empowerment Specialist

BCFS Health and Human Services•McAllen, TX

About The Position

The Youth Empowerment Specialist is responsible for recruitment, retention, and facilitation of youth to serve on the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), and teaching leadership and life skills curriculum to the YAC and other partners when needed. This role involves ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment, participating in community needs assessments, and adhering to Positive Youth Development framework principles and Trust Based Relational Intervention strategies. The position frequently requires working evenings and weekends to accommodate student participants and maintaining professional and ethical standards of conduct.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college/university in a related field
2 years of experience working with youth aged 6-17 years old
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 or work eligibility status upon request
Pass a pre-employment and biennial criminal background and motor vehicle check (fingerprints needed if applicant has lived out of state within the past 5 years)
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in one of the following areas: social work, psychology, education or any 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 YAC meeting agendas, and facilitate YAC meetings
Ensure YAC feedback is integrated into on-going program design and continuous quality improvement
Serve as a YAC coordinator contact, and liaison during the CYD Youth Summit planning and attend the summit with youth, providing them with support while there
Facilitate leadership curriculum for YAC and Youth Leadership D participants
Complete intake assessments and pre- and post-tests required by the program
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 content
Ensure a welcoming and deliberately inclusive environment for all participants
Participate in the annual Community Strengths and Needs Assessment process, including distributing surveys, facilitating focus groups and interviews, providing direct feedback, and compiling/analyzing program data.
Continuously abide by Positive Youth Development framework principles
Continuously employ Trust Based Relational Intervention strategies
Frequently work evenings and weekends to accommodate the needs of student participants
Maintain BCFS HHS professional and ethical standards of conduct outlined in the employee handbook, including demonstrating respect for agency staff, youth, and community members, and always complying with required dress code