Youth Engagement Specialist

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are currently seeking a Youth Engagement Specialist for our youth initiative, Planning Alternatives & Creating Community (PACC) program under our Pretrial Services Supervised Released program.  The PACC initiative at CASES is youth-focused where our team primarily works with justice involved 16–27-year-old participants. Working with the young-adult population requires flexibility, creativity, relatability and persistence, and the Youth Engagement Specialist will be expected to engage with the participants both at the office and in the community. By developing meaningful relationships with young adults, the Youth Engagement Specialist will meet the participants where they are (with extensive services in the community) to open new opportunities. The Youth Engagement Specialist will be expected to work collaboratively with the rest of the team to generate and implement ideas for effective youth-focused engagement tactics (such as groups, field trips, and tangible incentives). This position requires fieldwork within the larger NYC community.  

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 2-3 years' experience in human services; with young adults (16-27 yr. old) populations who experience substance use, mental health, complex trauma, and/or justice-system involvement.
Knowledge of community treatment, support services, and resources tailored towards youth.
Knowledge of the criminal legal system, court processes, and alternative to detention/incarceration services.
Individuals with lived experience strongly encouraged to apply

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Strongly Preferred

Responsibilities

Develop trusting/transformative relationships with Pre Trial Participants and have contact with youth 2-3 times per day.
Assess life areas related to housing and other critical, immediate needs by leveraging support services to remove barriers and assist participants with achieving independence and overall self-sufficiency.
Accompany participants to social support and community-based services, as needed.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community providers and critical partners in the program’s network. This will require regular direct community engagement in the service area.
Participate and facilitate in office programming, as well as attend trips and activities with PACC staff and participants.
Consistently assess and collaborate with participants and program colleagues to determine any goals and/or areas of need that participants require support with.
Be capable of effectively engaging with high-risk and vulnerable participants who present with mental health symptoms, substance use concerns, complex trauma histories and other challenges.
Work collaboratively with the team to identify community barriers to returning to court or maintaining agreed upon court mandated supervision schedule.
Serve as liaison with pretrial court services team to assist with confirming referral made and linked to support mitigation and court advocacy efforts.
Help ensure we maintain a safe working environment by reporting any hazards or unsafe conditions, e.g., liquid spill in hallway, to the appropriate facilities staff member or supervisor.