Program Specialist - Workforce Development: YAWL

Community Youth Center of San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Youth Center of San Francisco seeks a Program Specialist to coordinate employment readiness workshops, career counseling, and youth workforce services for ages 16-24 as part of the YAWL program.

Under the Program Coordinator, you will deliver training, provide high-quality guidance, and build a robust referral network, supporting youth toward college, work, and productive adulthood.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Two years of experience working with youth, preferably in workforce development.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, and 1:1 youth support.
• Ability to work with ethnically diverse, low-income youth and English learners.
• Experience with community partners and private sector collaborators.
• Ability to multitask and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual in Spanish/Chinese and English preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to lift/move at least 25 lbs and work some evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop curriculum and facilitate job readiness training workshops (professionalism, career exploration, resume/cover letter, job search, interviews).
• Provide 1:1 career guidance and assist with education and career planning; conduct follow-ups for retention.
• Collaborate with workforce team on program planning and outcomes.
• Lead youth outreach and develop partnerships and referrals.
• Support events, college tours, and special program activities as needed.
• Connect participants to resources to remove barriers and ensure success.
• Ensure program deliverables meet grant requirements and standards.
• Coordinate GED attainment services and basic skills remediation as needed.

Skills

Youth program delivery

Workshop facilitation

Career counseling

Bilingual + English (preferred)

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides the youth of our city a sense of belonging and vital tools and experiences to succeed in life. Our services include academic support and college counseling, job placement and employment training, substance use and violence prevention education, crisis intervention and mediation, leadership development, technology and computer training. Our mission is to encourage a diverse population of high-need young people to explore their full potential through academic, career, family, and community life.

Title

Program Specialist

Salary

$26.00 - $30.00 per hour plus excellent benefits

Reports to

Program Coordinator

Status

Full Time, (40 hours/week),Non Exempt

Program Summary

CYC’s YAWL Workforce Development Program provides job readiness and employment support services to youth ages 16-24. The program offers 1:1 job search and career coaching, work based learning internships, college and career exploration, and job shadowing opportunities to propel youth and young adults to be ready for college, work and reach productive adulthood.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating and facilitating employment readiness workshops/training, career counseling, and providing high quality youth workforce and development services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop curriculum and facilitate job readiness training workshops which include but are not limited to: professionalism, career exploration, resume and cover letter building, job search/navigation, interview skill development, mock interviews, and strength/talent identification.
• Provide 1:1 career guidance and assist participants with individualized education and career planning services, job search and placement assistance and conduct follow ups for retention services.
• Collaborate with the workforce team to strategize on program planning, development and implementation of overall youth workforce development programs and outcomes.
• Lead youth outreach initiatives, cultivating strategic community partnerships and developing a robust referral network to support recruitment and engagement.
• Support worksite visits, college tours, career spotlights, and special events as assigned.
• Connect participants to resources within CYC and other CBO or city services for barrier removal to ensure their success.
• Ensure that all program development incorporates local “Youth Program Quality Standards” and all deliverables are met as stated in the grant work plan.
• Act as a liaison and collaborate with other post secondary educational and training services to support youth.
• Coordinate GED attainment services, tutoring services, and basic skills remediation as needed.
• Cultivate relationships with employers to develop employment opportunities for youth and young adults.
• Complete all required written documentation and reports as required to meet funder compliance.
• Support agency-wide events and other duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Two years of experience working with youth, preferably within youth workforce development programs.
• Experience in facilitating meetings, workshops, and providing 1:1 support to youth and young adults.
• Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth as well as English language learners to provide social and emotional support.
• Experience working with community-based service providers and private sector partners.
• Ability to work as part of a team to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and to work independently in a fast paced environment.
• Bilingual in Spanish/Chinese and English is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good organizational and project management skills.
• Enthusiasm for promoting academic achievement and college to career education.
• Able to lift or move at least 25lbs
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state, or local law, including on the basis of the intersection of two or more protected characteristics, also known as intersectional discrimination. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.