Youth Services Specialist

Department: Mission Services

Supervisor: Youth Services Manager

BASIC FUNCTION

To provide in-school youth with disabilities with community work-based assessment and community work-based learning and job shadowing experiences to support their transition into competitive integrated employment upon graduation. Coordinates with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, youth, family, case management, teachers and others to identify appropriate worksites compatible with students' skills, interests and needs. As necessary, coordinates ancillary supports such as transportation coordination to facilitate successful work-based learning and job shadowing experiences. Provides intensive on-site coaching and training to youth in the community to support their participation in and completion of services.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Completes all initial meetings and paperwork associated with authorized services, including intakes and plan development to determine interests, skills, and abilities to facilitate development of appropriate work-based learning and job showing experiences and community-based work assessments.

Completes all New Hire paperwork, program orientation, safety and other policy review with participants, as appropriate.

Documents participant progress and participation in services as required by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and others, including completing evaluation forms and time-keeping documentation, and preparing job analyses and coaching and fade plans. Completes data entry into Goodwill's Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) reporting and tracking system.

Recruits businesses from the youth's local community to act as host worksites for community assessments, work-based learning and job shadowing experiences. Promotes Goodwill's youth services to the local business community. Conducts outreach and recruitment of worksites based on student preferences, skills and needs.

Provides on-site support and training to facilitate student learning and success during work experiences and job shadowing experiences. Develops fade plans as needed. Once fading plan is implemented, provides frequent check-ins with students and businesses to ensure success and provide remediation when required.

Conducts and attends meetings with OVR, transition personnel, parents/guardians, case management and other parties as necessary.

Represents Goodwill Keystone Area in a professional manner to all customers, including student, family members, service professionals and the business community. Presents self as an appropriate role model.

Travels to meet the business needs of Goodwill under its youth initiatives, including providing services at schools, at youth's residence, with local businesses, etc. that support the effective implementation and completion of community assessments and work-based learning and job shadowing experiences.

Promotes an environment of workplace safety by training and informing others regarding safety standards/precautions. Monitors safety and takes corrective action. Assures that regulatory safety requirements are adhered to.

Communicates progress, problems, and concerns to the Youth Services administrative staff and Youth Services Manager.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED

None

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field; or Associates degree in Human Services plus two (2) years direct experience; or a combination of education and direct experience that enables individuals to meet job expectations, standards and goals.
• Bilingual/Bi-cultural (English/Spanish) desired but not required.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work maturely with confidential information.
• Must possess neat and professional appearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain ACRE Certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and satisfactorily complete a motor vehicle check on an annual basis.
• Must complete and successfully pass Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Clearance.

Position has flexible hours. Support hours may entail day, evening and weekend work. Service delivery will be primarily, but not limited to the following counties: Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry