Career Readiness Specialist

SCO Family of Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

SCO Family of Services is seeking a Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist in the Education and Parent Support Services department. The role focuses on one-to-one youth career development within the Forward Journey Initiative, aligning internships and mentorship to help youth achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities include assessments, workshops, and coordinating with mentors to provide hands-on job experience and supportive guidance through education and career goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and extensive experience working with youth.
• Strong communication skills and empathy.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and foster care background preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct formal individualized career assessments and facilitate career readiness workshops.
• Assist youth to select at least one career development experience each year aligned with interests and background.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, specialists, foster parents, and parents to support youth goals.
• Provide persistence coaching and check in with youth enrolled in external programs.
• Facilitate group sessions and attend required trainings to input data in required systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Time management

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

CONNECTIONS

Job description

JOB TITLE: Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Education and Parent Support Services
LOCATION: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
As part of SCO's Forward Journey Initiative, the Specialist works with youth on a one-on-one basis to develop individualized career development based on youth interests and strengths. The Specialist will support youth in foster care connect to meaningful careers and prepare them for economic self-sufficiency.
This will include providing youth internships within SCO that will give them hands-on job experience as well as support and guidance from trained mentors as they continue their education and develop career goals. Support includes connecting youth to programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals. Specialists provide ongoing social and emotional support including connecting youth to peer support groups to foster positive relationships. Specialist will work with youth under Forward Journey Initiative coordinating, assisting and locating employment for youth.
REPORTS TO: Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist
SUPERVISES: N/A

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of SCO's Forward Journey Initiative, the Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist will support youth who will be matched one-to-one with trained SCO Mentors to facilitate successful internship experiences. The Mentors will provide valuable insights based on their career experience, educational
backgrounds, and challenges they have faced on a professional and personal level.

Key program components include:

• Community-based- Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
• Systemic approach- incorporates multiple aspects of the youth's natural ecology (community, peers, family, school).
• Comprehensive- addressing the full range of a youth's needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships).

Career Readiness & Mentorship Specialist duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Conduct formal individualized career assessments and facilitate career readiness workshops.
• Gain the knowledge and skills needed to transition successfully into the world of work (e.g., howe to get jobs, succeed in the workplace, and understand the workplace policies).
• Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey (e.g., how to request workplace accommodations, and how to manage conflict in the workplace).
• Assist all youth to select at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parent, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
• Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in external program by checking in with them regularly.
• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from employment when necessary
• Assist youth with obtaining working papers, if needed
• Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool as needed
• Complete Youth Voice Questionnaire for youth (14-up) as needed
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth
• Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings. Input child information into all required data platforms and systems.
• Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor

Housing & Independent Living:

• Coordinate with housing specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when appropriate)
• Accompany the youth to interviews and visit housing options, when needed
• Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support through the move in process, and provide continued support with housing stability.

II. QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Degree: Bachelor's Degree; Extensive Experience working with Youth

Other skills and requirements:

• Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, a strong sense of empathy towards our populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.
• Ability to respond to the unique developmental needs of children in different stages of maturation including early childhood, school age, or young adulthood.
• Ability to work with parents and children that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, different cultural backgrounds, and varying socioeconomics statuses.
• Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who may be in different stages of discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Strong time management skills, diligence, resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.
• Valid NYS Driver's License required and/or timeframe of when one will be obtained.
• Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.
• Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.