Youth Services Advisor

Goodwill Brand•Johnstown, PA

About The Position

The Youth Services Advisor is responsible for the coordination and implementation of youth services and programming for individuals ages 12-24 across a three-county region, including curriculum development, workforce preparation, and work experience programs, ensuring that all services align with best practices in youth development. The Youth Services Advisor assists managers in ensuring that youth services comply with regulations, meeting eligibility requirements, while delivering high quality youth services. The Youth Services Advisor provides functional supervision and guidance to Youth Career Planners working under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Youth Services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Services, Business Education Partnership (BEP), and additional funding streams. The position of Youth Services Advisor is a professional position and requires a person capable of conforming to the high standards of behavior expected of all staff. Excellent work habits, including attendance and punctuality, are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education, Social Work, or related field.
Demonstrated experience in providing youth vocational services/youth program delivery.
Computer proficiency: experience and knowledge of standard computer programs including Microsoft 365.
Ability to navigate multiple cloud-based database applications and systems of record.
Must be able to obtain acceptable results for required background checks, including Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal History Check and Department of Human Services- FBI Fingerprints.
Must have a valid driver’s license, with a clean driving record and dependable transportation, which can be used in the course of his/her job.
Must have an operating telephone, so that he/she may be contacted quickly by Goodwill when necessary.
Knowledge of current best practices in the delivery of workforce development services and acceptance of Goodwill’s Philosophy Concerning People Served.
Sound professional judgment, adequate to formulate realistic program plans and counseling participants regarding work related issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to develop written business correspondence.
Ability to relate effectively to others, including co-workers, agency participants, supervisors, and community contacts in groups and individually.
Thorough knowledge and acceptance of the principles of customer service.
Vision and hearing corrected to within normal limits.
Ability to perform light duty or medium duty work, including occasional standing, for up to 8 hours each day.
Ability to perform occasional bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 lbs. occasionally, (material handling equipment can be used to minimize effort expended, when practical).

Responsibilities

Coordinate and oversee WIOA, TANF, BEP and additional youth services/program delivery for a multi-county region, ensuring services are consistent and high-quality.
Works closely with school districts to develop in-school curriculum that enhances youth career readiness and life skills.
Designs, coordinates, implements, and manages summer paid work experience programs, partnering with local employers and organizations to provide meaningful work opportunities for youth.
Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of programs to ensure youth are prepared for further education, training, or employment.
Stays up-to-date on best practices in youth services and integrates these strategies into program development and execution by the youth team.
Collaborates with community stakeholders to develop innovative programs that meet the needs of at-risk youth and improve program outcomes.
Works closely with the Compliance and Quality Assurance Program Manager and CareerLink Program Managers to ensure compliance with regulations, policy, and performance measures.
Develops and maintains partnerships with educational institutions, employers, and community organizations to support youth program delivery and leads the youth team in these efforts.
Along with the youth team, engages with community organizations to promote youth services and expand resources available to program participants.
Coordinates and/or presents workshops and service information during group or individual orientations, both on and off site.
Coordinates and provides guidance for orientations, outreach, recruitment, intakes, and the establishment of a plan of service (Individual Employment Plan) with each registered participant which will assist the participant in achieving his/her goals.
Coordinates and provides guidance for initial assessment of skill levels, including literacy, numeracy, including aptitudes and interests and supportive service needs.
Coordinates and guides the youth team for the provision of job search and placement assistance services, and individual career counseling including the provision of information on the in-demand industry sectors and occupations and provision of information on non-traditional employment.
Coordinates and guides the youth team on career planning, case management, and short-term pre-vocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interview skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training.
Provides labor market and workforce employment statistical information to the youth team, such as job vacancy listings, job skills needed for the vacant jobs, and information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skills requirements, and opportunities for advancement for those jobs.
Coordinates and ensures the provision of high-quality youth services including WIOA’s 14 Youth Service Elements.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of designated service area, keeping current on all TEG’L’s, TENS, etc.
Attends all required training.