Fostering Connections Youth Engagement Coordinator (CYFD/FSD #10112490)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) seeks a Fostering Connections Youth Engagement Coordinator to advise and refine youth engagement initiatives, partnering with youth and decision-makers to improve processes affecting young people transitioning to adulthood.

The role involves training, collaboration with FC staff, and coordination for Leaders Uniting Voices Youth Advocates of New Mexico (LUVYANM). A valid driver's license and background check are required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and two years of experience in social work assistant or in social/community coordination, working with communities, or health/social service related tasks.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate.
• Pre-employment background investigation is required.

Responsibilities

• Advise, implement, and refine CYFD policies and initiatives impacting youth engagement.
• Serve as liaison for youth-engagement programs and coordinate participation in meetings and conferences.
• Support leadership development and authentic youth-adult partnerships through trainings and CQI activities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement transition-aged youth initiatives and policy reviews.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Title Fostering Connections Youth Engagement Coordinator (CYFD/FSD #10112490)

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

*APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH & YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*

Why does the job exist?

Incumbent works closely with Fostering Connections (FC) staff and other internal and external stakeholders to advise, implement, and refine CYFD policies, procedures, and new initiatives that impact the lives of young people by ensuring timely and supported engagement of youth/young people; participate in Fostering Connections meetings, local or statewide work groups, and other internal CYFD meetings to support and facilitate the participation of youth/young adults to provide knowledge and insight about the unique needs and experiences of youth transitioning to adulthood; partner with youth, young adults, and decision makers to improve our systems by collecting and providing critical feedback/ideas for improvement/solutions from youth/young adults on our processes, policies, and legislation that will impact on the lives of young people. Serve as the staff liaison and support for youth/young adults engaged in Leaders Uniting Voices Youth Advocates of New Mexico-LUVYANM. Conduct training and coaching around authentic youth engagement and leadership development with youth/young adults interested in being change agents. Serve as a content expert, thought partner, and advocate with staff that are struggling to authentically engage and support young people in real time; model the implementation of the fostering connections practice model to ensure effective engagement; and support the development and strengthening of self-advocacy and leaderships skills among youth/young adults.

How does it get done?

Develop effective partnerships with CYFD staff and Fostering Connections staff to support the development and strengthening of the Leaders Uniting Voices Youth Advocates of New Mexico LUVYA NM.

• Serve as the point of contact with LUVYANM to strengthen relationships and improve access for youth and young adults.
• Assist in the development of recruitment strategies and building participation in LUVYANM meetings, the Independent Living Conference, the Children's Law Institute Conference, and other conferences and youth/young adult panels, CYFD work groups, task-forces, interviews, etc. Assist in planning the ILY conference including transporting youth to ILY subcommittee meetings and the ILY conference; provide support to LUVYA NM e-board, members, and FC staff to ensure youth, young adult and staff safety and wellbeing.

Serve as the point of contact for FC regarding youth/young adult participation in conferences, youth/young adult panels, CYFD work groups, interviews, and other internal meetings/groups/initiatives.

• Support youth and young adults as they participate in meetings, panels, task-forces, CYFD work groups, etc.
• Participate in and facilitate trainings around authentic youth-adult partnerships, effective engagement, and leadership development with youth, young adults, and internal/external stakeholders as requested. Participate in CQI process to improve policy, procedure, and processes for supporting older youth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on the design and implementation of Extended Foster Care and other Transition Aged youth initiatives that impact the lives of young people.
• Participate in regular department meetings, FC meetings, and attend local or statewide work groups.
• Engage with and support youth/young adults to provide knowledge and insight to department leadership related to the unique needs and experiences of youth transitioning to adulthood.

Engage with and support youth/young adults to review and advise on the development of policy, procedure manuals, and other documents as they progress toward completion.

• Participate in CQI activities as outlined by supervisor and Associate Deputy Directors (e.g., satisfaction surveys, focus groups, reflective listening sessions, 'in-person' interviews/surveys, etc.).Compile findings in clear and concise reports and provide input on suggested improvements to processes, documents, group norms, etc. as requested.

Contribute to a positive, engaging work environment and uplift CYFD and FC values.

• Develop a strong knowledge base regarding youth and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and best practices to support engagement and thriving to ensure integration in LUVYANM opportunities.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, training and education, as well as the CQI process to continually improve responsiveness of policies and procedures related to FC services and supports.
• Comply with policies, practices, contracts and other legal obligations.
• Support the development and maintenance of a strong team by assisting with projects and performing other duties as assigned in support of older youth.

Ideal Candidate

Experience as it relates to:

• Directly impacted by the foster care, juvenile justice, and/or systems serving individuals/families experiencing homelessness;
• Experience working with individuals who have been directly impacted by the foster care, juvenile justice, and/or systems serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness;
• Experience advocating for systemic improvement and change in foster care, juvenile justice, or systems serving individuals/families experiencing homelessness;
• Ability to work with individuals and groups to achieve goals;
• Ability to facilitate strong relationships with community providers

High School diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience as a social work assistant and/or in social or community coordination, working with communities, working on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, and/or behavioral health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.

Supplemental Information

No supplemental information provided.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.