Youth Engagement Specialist

Friends of the Children•Bend, OR

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly skilled, relational Youth Engagement Specialist who is excited to join our team, support mentors and walk alongside the youth and families we serve! If you love to create community, build on the strengths and develop growth areas with incredible youth, this is the job for you! We need you to thrive in an ever-changing environment, live, walk and talk equity and have a commitment to personal and professional growth for yourself and the team. Sound good? We think so! Basic Function: As Youth Engagement Specialist, your primary responsibility is to build relationships with all youth, families, and staff across the program team, and create continuity and intentionality of service for youth they are assigned. You will be assigned to specific youth or mentors, joining them on 3-4 outings per week to observe mentors in their role and build relationships with youth. You will serve as a conduit between the youth and the Program Team, supporting youth in elevating their voice and ideas into group activities and spaces. When Friends go on vacation or leave the organization, you will support youth on those rosters in a 1:1 capacity, serving as a positive adult role model to develop a caring, trusting, and sustained relationship with each youth. You will participate in all Team meetings, planning group activities, leading group activities, supporting or engaging in all group spaces or events.

Requirements

Ability to relate to youth and to develop and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with them.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to work with youth in varied capacities and settings to help them learn and grow.
Ability to cultivate trusting relationships with caregivers, teachers, and community member.
Ability to develop working knowledge of community, systems, and resources of the Central Oregon region.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate appropriately within the workplace.
Ability to work independently in diverse environments with limited supervision.
Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively exercising appropriate discretion and judgment.
Ability to set goals and develop plans to meet those goals to ensure the development of youth.
Ability to complete administrative tasks accurately and on time.
Ability to be physically mobile and meet vehicle driving demands safely while exercising good judgment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management skills.
Basic computer and keyboarding skills, proficiency with e-mail systems, familiarity with MS Office.
Ability to exercise good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress.
Understanding, awareness and demonstrated commitment to equity and a willingness to learn more.
Ability to maintain boundaries and life balance while still completing work expectations and accountabilities to ensure sustainability and longevity for the youth we serve.
Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
Transport youth in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities (we reimburse for mileage).
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience with youth who have experienced trauma is preferred.
Program Planning experience preferred.
Bilingual/b cultural candidates preferred.
Candidates with knowledge of systems that youth encounter preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, trusting and accepting relationship with youth across their assigned youth and mentors.
Step in to provide consistent service to youth during vacation, extended leave or when Friends transition out of the organization.
Spend time each week with youth and mentors in the community or at the Friends Ranch.
Build awareness of each Roadmap Goal Plan or Transition Plan for each youth across their assigned group.
Set realistic expectations and goals based on each youth’s strengths, talents, abilities and needs when serving as an interim mentor.
Work with the Program Director and Education Program Specialist to create youth centered activities that support youth spark, goals and build a sense of belonging.
Teach and model life skills and healthy habits to contribute both to basic development and learning, and to contribute to building positive self-esteem across all youth.
Provide enrichment resources and activities which include opportunities for cultural awareness, diversity, and community service for youth across the organization.
Contribute to youth acquiring behavioral management skills, tolerance, respect for others, courtesy and compassion.
Develop positive relationships with families, teachers and others involved in a youth’s life.
Reinforce basic academic skills and learning.
Model and promote good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Contribute to the vision, planning and implementation of group activities with the Program Team. Share resources available through the organization, effectively utilizing program resources to meet the needs of each youth.
Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
Attend and actively participate in Admin team meetings.
Provide information and support to Development team and related activities as needed.
Fulfill other responsibilities as required.