Youth Specialist

Family Services Inc. • Poughkeepsie, NY

1d • $20 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Specialist works with youth ages 11–18 in the City of Poughkeepsie community, providing recreation and enrichment activities through Family Services’ FSI Youth Programming at the Family Partnership Center. Working alongside the Recreation Specialist and Youth Services Social Worker, the role helps plan and implement activities that develop athletic, creative, academic, workforce, and social skills. The primary focus is assisting with recreational and non-recreational activities while supporting other program needs. The position is supervised by the Youth Services Social Worker and is part-time, non-exempt, and onsite during program operating hours in Poughkeepsie, New York. The schedule totals 20 hours per week: Monday 3–8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 3–6 p.m.; Thursday 3–5 p.m.; Friday 3–8 p.m.; and Saturday 9–11 a.m. The salary is $20.00 per hour.

The ideal candidate is passionate about working with middle and high school-aged youth and supports Family Services’ mission and values. The role includes supervising youth, facilitating activities, community outreach, administrative and database work, conflict intervention, and ensuring participants have meals, snacks, and water. The employee must be onsite during program hours, use an established cell phone for work with effective coverage in Dutchess County, be reachable outside office hours if needed, and have a New York State driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of direct experience working with youth.
• Pass all background checks required for working with youth.
• Passion for working with middle and high school-aged youth.
• Ability to work irregular or flexible hours.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervising adolescents.
• Cultural competence and ability to relate to a wide variety of audiences.
• Community organizing abilities.
• Crisis management, trauma-informed, and restorative justice practices.
• Compassion, empathy for participants’ needs, and strong advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of public, private, and community agencies that may serve program participants.
• Aptitude for administrative tasks, resourcefulness, and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Upon hiring, ability to complete online Positive Youth Development 101, Mandated Reporter, First Aid/CPR, and Trax Solutions trainings.
• Upon hiring, complete Mandated Reporter training administered by OCFS.
• Must be onsite during program operating hours.
• Established cell phone and willingness to use it for work, with effective coverage for Dutchess County.
• Must be reachable outside office hours if needed.
• New York State driver’s license and possession of a reliable vehicle.
• Strong computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without work sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, such as sociology or social work.
• Connection to the City of Poughkeepsie community.
• Prior experience playing or coaching basketball, boxing, or other recreational activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementing activities for middle and high school youth, including athletic, creative, academic, workforce, and social skills development activities.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and contribute to planning programming, addressing youth concerns, restorative justice action plans, incentive and behavioral programming, outreach, and Youth Advisory Council decisions.
• Conduct community outreach to encourage youth participation in Family Partnership Center programs.
• Learn and use the Trax Solutions database to track youth registration and attendance and review required guardian and youth documentation for completion.
• Maintain active and ongoing communication with the direct supervisor.
• Respect program property, keep program spaces clean and organized, and restore rooms after daily activities.
• Complete assigned administrative tasks on time.
• Supervise youth and intervene in and mediate conflicts that could escalate or become violent, using de-escalation, trauma-informed, and conflict resolution skills.
• Lead basketball activities, including drills, scrimmages, and assessment of individual and team skills.
• Participate in ongoing assigned trainings.
• Ensure youth in programming have meals, snacks, and water through purchases and ordering.
• Perform other duties assigned based on program needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Paid vacation, holidays, sick time, and personal time: two weeks of vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, and four personal days per year.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program, where employees can donate or receive unused time off.
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Supplemental insurance through Aflac.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED