Human Services Specialist II - Bilingual Youth Development Counselor (Elementary School)

City of Alexandria; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria is seeking a Human Services Specialist II to support youth development for elementary students, with in-school and community-based services. This role includes crisis intervention, individualized family supports, and collaboration with Alexandria City Public Schools and community partners to promote educational success.

The ideal candidate will bring crisis management skills, experience in youth mentoring, and bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (psychology, social services, public health, guidance).
• Three years of mental health/substance abuse treatment experience, including caseworker level responsibilities.
• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with youth-serving professionals for initial assessments and ongoing case consultations.
• Assess child and family needs and develop comprehensive support plans.
• Coordinate early intervention services through meetings and calls with families and partners.
• Monitor youth and family satisfaction and progress toward outcomes.
• Advocate for youth and families by maintaining relationships with service providers.
• Provide mediation, coaching and mentoring and referrals for school-aged children and families.
• Lead youth programs and supervise teen employees in leadership activities.
• Develop goals and evaluation plans in collaboration with supervisor.
• Support community campaigns on youth development topics.
• Conduct community outreach and awareness activities on youth development.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Youth mentoring

Bilingual English/Spanish

Data tracking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or related field

Valid driver's license

Job description

Human Services Specialist II

Bilingual Youth Development Counselor (Elementary School – Patrick Henry)

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist IIposition.

An Overview

The Human Services Specialist II will provide individualized developmental services and family supports that promote the development of youth and increase the self-sufficiency of families through in-school and community-based evaluations, crisis intervention, supportive counseling and referral services for students and families from Alexandria City Public Schools and other community locations. Provide case management, consultative and direct services to elementary school youth and families, in need of early intervention. Implement appropriate youth development programs; including evidence-based programs that serve to promote protective factors that promote educational success and help students resist pressure to participate in risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures, under supervision.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will have the ability to remain calm and effective in crisis situations. Ability to work effectively with students having emotional, social, family, behavioral, alcohol/drug or other related problems. Ability to lead skills building, leadership and/or mentorship groups with youth. Ability to replicate evidence-based youth development programs. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with youth, parents, co-workers, community partners and the general public. Ability to work in a community-based setting. Ability to provide guidance and assistance to volunteers. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other professionals and with the general public, both orally and in writing. Ability to track and enter data accurately. Good knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development. Good knowledge of adolescent risk behaviors, including substance use. Good knowledge of area health, legal, social and other services.

The Opportunity

• Collaborate with youth serving professionals on a continuous basis for initial assessments and ongoing case consultations
• Assesses child and family needs and develops comprehensive plan of supports and services;
• Actively monitors and coordinates early intervention services through face to face meetings and telephone conferences that include the family and other student support services and community partners
• Monitors and evaluates youth and family satisfaction with services and progress toward outcomes
• Advocates for youth and families’ needs by maintaining collaborative relationships with area youth serving agencies using a multi-systemic approach
• Provide mediation, positive youth development coaching and mentoring and referral services for school aged children and their families
• Lead skills-building, leadership and mentoring programs for youth and implement evidence-based youth development program(s)
• Supervise teen employees in youth leadership programs
• Develop goals, objectives and evaluation plan for all activities, in collaboration with supervisor
• Implement national, community and school-based youth development campaigns
• Conducts community outreach and awareness activities on youth development topics

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilitiesand substance abuse disorders.

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of their residence.

Bachelor’s degree in allied health, child and family studies, early childhood; human development, psychology, public health, nursing, counseling, social work, special education or other related field. Some experience in case coordination, teaching or counseling the economically disadvantaged/developmentally disabled, and emotionally/physically abused/neglected children's population, local offender population, or a homeless population. At least one year of experience working with youth having emotional, social, family, behavioral, alcohol/drug or other related problems. At least one year of experience leading skills building, leadership and/or mentorship groups with youth. At least one year of experience replicating evidence-based youth development programs. At least one year of experience working in a school setting. Intermediate word processing skills. Fluent and Bilingual in English & Spanish.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: Criminal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; drug screening; and driver's license.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT:

This Human Services Specialist II Position is covered by the Administrative and Technical Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME

Schedule & Location

***The location for this position will be at Patrick Henry Elementary School.***

Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, with some evenings and weekends.