Lead Youth Advocate

Edsi-9; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

EDSI is seeking a Lead Youth Advocate to supervise a team of Youth Advocates and ensure youth participants gain education, training, and employment opportunities. The role blends case management, coaching, and program oversight with active employer engagement to create work-based learning experiences.

You will lead outreach to employers, coordinate job placements, and provide holistic guidance to participants, while maintaining data integrity and program reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience working with disconnected or at‑risk youth preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in human services, workforce development, training, teaching, customer service, marketing, or sales.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with diverse populations and employer partners.
• Comfortable presenting to groups and engaging with business leaders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team‑oriented environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort with data systems.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Youth Advocates, review case loads, and monitor progress toward goals.
• Facilitate team meetings, coaching, and data quality audits.
• Develop youth employment opportunities through employer engagement and community outreach.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Experience in human services/workforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data systems

Job description

Lead Youth Advocate

Salary: $50,000 plus benefits

Classification: Exempt

Scope of Position

The Youth Navigator oversees three (3) Youth Advocates to ensure youth participants are connected to education, training, and employment opportunities. The Youth Navigator also provides comprehensive guidance and case management to youth in Capital Area while also conducting employer outreach and business development to create employment, Work Experience, and On-the-Job Training opportunities. This role combines staff supervision with direct services and employer engagement to develop quality job sites and work-based learning experiences.

Essential Functions

Leadership and Participant Support

Supervise and support Youth Advocates to ensure performance goals and program outcomes are met. Facilitate regular team meetings, provide coaching, and monitor case management and employer engagement activities. Collaborate with leadership to implement strategies that increase youth engagement, work-based learning opportunities, and training access. Conduct weekly meetings with Youth Advocates to review case loads Conduct bi-weekly audits of case notes and data in NC Works. Monitor progress toward performance goals and provide regular updates to leadership Manage an active caseload of youth participants, providing individualized guidance, counseling, and holistic support. Provide referrals to training providers, community partners, and supportive services as appropriate. Conduct community outreach to recruit eligible youth and maintain program visibility.

Business Development & Employer Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with local employers to develop job placements, Work Experience sites, and OJT opportunities. Conduct employer outreach via phone, email, and in-person visits; schedule and complete face-to-face meetings. Create and submit job orders, monitor employer activity, and ensure alignment with participant needs. Educate employers on program services, requirements, and available supports. Provide technical assistance to employers on database systems and documentation requirements. Represent the program at Chamber of Commerce events, business networking functions, conferences, and community meetings. Provide regular progress reports on employer engagement, job development activities, and placement outcomes. Ensure all participant and employer documentation is accurate, complete, and entered into required systems. Follow up with employers and internal staff to ensure expectations are met and placements are successful. Maintain strong knowledge of local labor market trends to inform job development and participant coaching. Travel as required (up to 75%). Other opportunities as available.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience working with disconnected or at-risk youth preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in human services, workforce development, training, teaching, customer service, marketing, or sales.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with diverse populations and employer partners.
• Comfortable presenting to groups and engaging with business leaders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort with data systems.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation required.

EDS I is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Our Mission Statement

We must strive to create enthusiasm in our clients, see through their eyes, understand their needs and deliver more than they expect.

Why We Do What We Do At EDSI

• We believe we can help our customers overcome their most challenging obstacles
• We believe in seeing through other people's eyes
• We believe that we can make a difference in people's lives
• We believe in meeting people where they are today and helping them to realize a better tomorrow
• We believe in living our professional lives in service to others

EDS I (Educational Data Systems, Inc.) is a national workforce development, training solutions and consulting company with a passion for helping great companies and communities train and retain great people. EDSI works with regions, employers and jobseekers to overcome their most challenging obstacles. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, the company employs more than 800 people across the country. EDSI is a National Best and Brightest Companies To Work For award winner. For over 45 years, EDSI has worked with workforce development agencies, regional partners and employers to assess and understand workforce development needs and deliver solutions to build better workforces. The company operates more than 120 contracts providing successful business services and jobseeker placement and retention services across the country. EDSI also provides world class training and consulting solutions to a variety of corporations, public entities and governmental agencies. Our history of success stems directly from our commitment to providing our clients with the absolute highest level of service through our diverse and talented team.