Youth Developmeent Specialist

Family-Services-of-the-Merrimack-Valle; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life and long-term disability coverage

Training and professional development

Earned Time Off (4 paid weeks) and 13+

$1,000 sign-on bonus

Job summary

Family Services of the Merrimack Valley is seeking a Youth Development Specialist to support youth ages 11-19 through in-school and community programs, delivering engaging activities and evidence-based curricula.

The role requires evening and weekend availability, strong facilitation and communication skills, and the ability to travel across Massachusetts for program activities.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in human services, social work, education, psychology, youth development, or a related field; OR a high school diploma/equivalent with at least three years of relevant experience working with youth and facilitating groups.
• Experience working with adolescents, particularly youth who may be experiencing academic, social, family, or other challenges.
• Strong interest in youth development and a commitment to helping young people recognize their strengths and reach their goals.
• Comfortable educating and engaging youth around sensitive topics, including sexuality, healthy relationships, pregnancy prevention, and sexual health.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, dependable, and able to build positive relationships with youth.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong group facilitation and public speaking skills, including the ability to engage both small and large groups.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using electronic databases and data-entry systems.
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally and throughout Massachusetts for agency and program-related business.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends as required by program activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with recruitment, intake and assessments, implementation of curriculum and recreational activities.
• Plan and co-facilitate weekly youth development groups, activities, and recreational programming focused on positive youth development, gang involvement prevention, and school dropout prevention.
• Plan and co-facilitate evidence-based curricula, including Making Proud Choices, VOICES, and ARISE, for youth ages 11-19, addressing pregnancy prevention, STIs, HIV prevention, healthy decision-making, and other youth development topics in school and community settings.
• Facilitate Adult Preparation Subjects using the MA Department of Public Health's approved material such as Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA) and FLASH curricula.
• Provide clients with information and advice concerning family planning, growth and development, sexually transmitted diseases, and other sexual health-related concerns.
• Provide ongoing case management, mentoring, coaching, and individualized support to middle school-aged youth to help them achieve personal, educational, and developmental goals.
• Collaborate with school personnel and agency staff as well as other team members to determine appropriate services and/or referral to outside resources (if applicable).
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and maintaining Behavior Agreement Plans as well as positive character and academic rewards and incentives.
• Maintain current knowledge of family planning, growth and development, sexually transmitted diseases, and other sexual health related concerns.
• Provide data as needed for agency reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job description

Youth Development Specialist

Facilitator

Job Title: Youth Development Specialist

Department: Youth Development Programs

Reports to: Program Supervisor

Hours: 40 hour per week

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with recruitment, intake and assessments, implementation of curriculum and recreational activities.
• Plan and co-facilitate weekly youth development groups, activities, and recreational programming focused on positive youth development, gang involvement prevention, and school dropout prevention. in school and community settings.
• Plan and co-facilitate evidence-based curricula, including Making Proud Choices, VOICES, and ARISE, for youth ages 11-19, addressing pregnancy prevention, STIs, HIV prevention, healthy decision-making, and other youth development topics in school and community settings.
• Facilitate Adult Preparation Subjects using the MA Department of Public Health's approved material such as Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA) and FLASH curricula.
• Provide clients with information and advice concerning family planning, growth and development, sexually transmitted diseases, and other sexual health-related concerns.
• Provide ongoing case management, mentoring, coaching, and individualized support to middle school-aged youth to help them achieve personal, educational, and developmental goals.
• Collaborate with school personnel and agency staff as well as other team members to determine appropriate services and/or referral to outside resources (if applicable).
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and maintaining Behavior Agreement Plans as well as positive character and academic rewards and incentives.
• Maintain current knowledge of family planning, growth and development, sexually transmitted diseases, and other sexual health related concerns.
• Provide data as needed for agency reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in human services, social work, education, psychology, youth development, or a related field; OR a high school diploma/equivalent with at least three years of relevant experience working with youth and facilitating groups.
• Experience working with adolescents, particularly youth who may be experiencing academic, social, family, or other challenges.
• Strong interest in youth development and a commitment to helping young people recognize their strengths and reach their goals.
• Comfortable educating and engaging youth around sensitive topics, including sexuality, healthy relationships, pregnancy prevention, and sexual health.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, dependable, and able to build positive relationships with youth.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong group facilitation and public speaking skills, including the ability to engage both small and large groups.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using electronic databases and data-entry systems.
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally and throughout Massachusetts for agency and program-related business.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends as required by program activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse youth and families.
• Experience supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families inclusively and respectfully.
• Knowledge of Lawrence and the Greater Lawrence community, including community resources available to youth and families.
• Experience with youth mentoring, case management, group facilitation, or evidence-based youth development curricula.

ABOUT FAMILY SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY

Family Services is a non-profit, social service organization located in Lawrence, MA. The organization helps more than 7,000 people in the Merrimack Valley each year through 20+ programs focused on youth development, parent education and emotional health. All of its services are infused with a sense of hope and possibility and enable individuals to thrive in their family, community, workplace and school. For more information, please visit www.FSMV.org. FSMV is an equal opportunity employer

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a 40 hour per week, non-exempt benefited position with a pay range of $21-22 per hour, commensurate upon experience.
• Eligible for a $1,000 BONUS!
• Benefits include competitive health and dental insurance as well as fully paid life and long-term disability insurance along with training and professional development opportunities.
• A generous time off policy for employees working 30 hours or more per week including 4 paid weeks of Earned Time Off as well as 13 paid holidays per year.
• An opportunity to work with and learn from a team of dedicated, passionate individuals in a diverse environment that serve children, youth, and adults.