Independent Living Specialist

JusticeWorks Family of Services; Somerset (Somerset County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision and Wellness

401K with company match

Company paid life insurance

Company paid disability (short & long)

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid holidays and PTO

Employee referral bonus

Clearance reimbursement and renewal

Job summary

JusticeWorks YouthCare seeks an Independent Living Specialist to empower youth to transition to independent living. You will provide comprehensive case management, mentor and advocate for youth and families to build self-sufficiency.

This role requires collaboration with social services, schools, and community partners, and may include non-traditional hours, evenings, and weekends to meet program needs. A passion for child welfare, juvenile justice, or social work is essential to succeed in this

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year direct care experience or supervised practice.
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle.
• Pass current, applicable clearances.
• Pass pre-employment drug screening.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Complete IL assessments and reports.
• Plan and facilitate meetings, individual sessions, group sessions, classes, camps, and activities.
• Liaise with community resources to build a pool of instructors and volunteers for IL program implementation.
• Interact with IL youth individually to promote self-sufficiency in education, career, employment, and daily living skills.
• Follow up with Aftercare youth to ensure housing, education, employment, safety and support needs are met.
• Assist youth in acquiring stipend-earned items.
• Transport youth to homes, placement locations, and class sites.
• Develop cooperative relationships with county services.
• Participate in relevant legal proceedings and county initiatives related to Aftercare youth.

Skills

Case management

Mentoring

Advocacy

Community outreach

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in social work; criminal justice; psychology; counseling; education; sociology; political science

Job description

FULL TIME INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALIST

JusticeWorks YouthCare is seeking an Independent Living Specialist! You will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team of professionals working to empower young people to transition successfully to independent living. In this role, you will be responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to youth and young adults in a variety of settings. You will use your skills and expertise to foster positive outcomes for the youth you serve, and to help them develop self-sufficiency and resiliency. As an Independent Living Specialist, you will be a mentor, advocate, and resource for youth and their families as they navigate the transition to independent living. Your dedication and commitment to helping youth reach their goals is invaluable. If you have a passion for working in the field of Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice or Social Work, we look forward to having you join our team!

JusticeWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The qualified Independent Living Specialist:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in social work; criminal justice; psychology; counseling; education; sociology; political science, and a minimum of one (1) year direct care experience or supervised practice in lieu of the experience requirement.
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance and access to a vehicle.
• Pass current, applicable clearances.
• Pass pre-employment, post-offer drug screening.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends.

The qualified Independent Living Specialist will receive the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Wellness Program.
• 401K with company match.
• Company paid life insurance.
• Company paid short term and long-term disability.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Company paid holidays and paid time off.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Clearance reimbursement and renewal.

The qualified Independent Living Specialist will:

• Complete IL assessments and reports.
• Plan and facilitate meetings, individual sessions, group sessions, classes, camps, and activities.
• Liaison with community resources in order to build a pool of available instructors, volunteers, etc. necessary for the implementation of the IL program.
• Interact with IL youth on a one-on-one basis providing individual instruction as deemed necessary per his/her IL plan and living situation to transition to self-sufficiency through exploration of education, career, vocational, employment, daily living skills, fiscal and budgeting, substance abuse and prevention activities.
• Follow up on all necessary activities with Aftercare youth including daily assistance if necessary to ensure all needs are being met including housing, education, employment, as well as, safety and support needs.
• Assist youth in acquiring items earned through the stipend program.
• Transport youth in personal vehicle to youth homes, placement locations, foster homes, IL class sites, etc.
• Develop cooperative relationships with the County’s full range of human services.
• Participate in court hearings, legal proceedings such as abuse court orders, magistrate court for truancy/fines etc., county meetings, new training, state or county initiatives or requirements as pertaining to Aftercare youth.