Youth Intervention Specialist

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF STEUBEN LIVINGSTON CO•Town of Hornellsville, NY

1d•$27 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Intervention Specialist provides trauma-informed intervention, mentoring, advocacy, and educational re-engagement services to youth at risk of juvenile justice involvement in Steuben and Livingston Counties. Working collaboratively with schools, families, community partners, probation departments, and law enforcement, the Youth Intervention Specialist delivers individualized support designed to address stabilization needs, strengthen protective factors, reduce risk behaviors, promote school success, and prevent or reduce justice-system involvement through early intervention, skill development, and coordinated community support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field required.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, restorative practices, juvenile justice diversion, and educational engagement strategies.
Strong mentoring, relationship-building, crisis intervention, case management, and communication skills.
Experience working with at-risk youth, juvenile justice populations, school-based intervention programs, or youth development services.
Experience collaborating with schools, probation departments, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Training or experience in crisis intervention, de-escalation, motivational interviewing, restorative practices, or trauma-informed care.
Knowledge of risk and protective factors associated with youth delinquency, school disengagement, and behavioral health concerns.
Commitment to promoting educational success, positive youth development, and justice diversion outcomes.
Ability to prioritize assignments, plan, and complete work projects with minimal direction.
Exceptional time management skills and ability to effectively meet deadlines.
Excellent verbal/written skills.
Possession a valid NYS Driver’s license and a driver's record considered acceptable by agency and insurance carrier.
Continuous use of a reliable, registered and insured vehicle.
Ability to work in the following software programs: Windows, Microsoft Office, and multiple online software platforms as required by funders and partner organizations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to demonstrate behaviors and attitudes which support organizational mission, philosophy, and policies.
Ability to work in a cooperative and helpful manner with all individuals.
Willingness and ability to foster agency and program wide cooperation and teamwork through use of positive/constructive communication techniques.
Ability to engage youth and families who may be resistant to services.
Ability to assess needs, identify barriers, and develop practical intervention strategies.
Ability to respond effectively to crisis situations while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical and professional standards.
Ability to work evening or occasional weekend hours.
Ability to travel locally within the community.
Background check required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial intake interviews and eligibility screenings for referred youth and families.
Obtain informed consent and complete all required enrollment documentation.
Complete the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) at intake and at regular intervals to assess functioning and measure progress.
Utilize standardized assessments to identify the underlying factors contributing to youth instability, school disengagement, and increased risk of juvenile justice involvement, and incorporate findings into individualized interventions.
Develop and maintain an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) that addresses stabilization needs, educational re-engagement, and reduction in the likelihood of justice-system involvement.
Utilize trauma-informed, strengths-based, restorative, and youth-centered approaches to foster resilience and positive development.
Maintain regular contact with participants to monitor progress, address barriers, reinforce positive behavioral change, and support successful community functioning.
Engage parents and caregivers as active participants in the intervention process and support family-centered approaches to stabilization.
Assist families in navigating educational, behavioral health, juvenile justice, and community support systems.
Connect youth and families to community-based support and services based on assessed needs.
Collaborate closely with school administrators, counselors, social workers, attendance personnel, teachers, and alternative education providers.
Participate in multidisciplinary school meetings and student support planning processes.
Address barriers contributing to chronic absenteeism, school avoidance, disciplinary issues, and academic failure.
Conduct outreach to school districts to increase awareness of program services, facilitate referrals, and strengthen collaborative intervention efforts.
Implement early intervention strategies designed to prevent or reduce juvenile justice involvement among at-risk youth.
Work collaboratively with partnered law enforcement to provide mentoring, accountability, positive role modeling, and constructive engagement opportunities.
Coordinate with probation departments, family court personnel, law enforcement agencies, and other justice-system partners as appropriate.
Promote responsible decision-making, problem-solving, and personal accountability to help youth understand the consequences of high-risk behaviors.
Respond to youth and family crises using trauma-informed and non-confrontational approaches.
Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support to youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, family, school, or community-related crises.
Assess immediate safety risks and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the youth, family members, and others through coordination with relevant agencies.
Complete all required documentation, reports, and administrative tasks in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
Track youth participation, progress, and outcomes.
Prepare reports as required by agency policies or grant funding requirements.
Adhere to all agency policies, procedures, ethical standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and organizational information in accordance with applicable laws and agency requirements.
Maintain regular attendance and punctuality in accordance with agency expectations.
Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, training, and professional development activities.
Maintain professional boundaries and conduct consistent with agency values and ethical standards.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support agency operations and program objectives.