Youth Employment Specialist I

Bridges From School To Work; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridges From School To Work seeks a Youth Employment Specialist I to help young adults locate competitive employment and build workforce strengths. You will recruit participants, assess skills, and document activities while coordinating with schools, parents, and employers in the San Fernando Valley.

The role requires relationship-building, frequent meetings with stakeholders, and transportation facilitation to support participant success and retention outcomes.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent in qualifying work experience.
• Formal training and/or experience in school-to-work transition (work with students with disabilities desirable).
• Case management experience is preferred.
• Job development or employment support experience is useful.
• Sales, marketing, and networking abilities are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Meet assigned Bridges outcome goals and enroll youth.
• Assess skills, interests and experience of each participant.
• Identify barriers to employment and create practical strategies.
• Develop an active pool of employers for job matches.
• Provide support to youth and employers to ensure employment success.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Capacity to work with diverse groups

Public transportation coordination

Education

Four-year college degree or equivalent

School-to-work transition experience

Case management

Job development

Employment support

Sales and networking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management

Job description

The role of a Youth Employment Specialist I is to help young adults find competitive employment and build their strengths in different areas related to the workforce. The role requires the recruitment of participants and helping them find competitive employment that matches their strengths and interests, while also keeping detailed records of all job-related activities completed. To do this, it is necessary to build relationships with state agencies, schools, parents, students, and employers. Employment Specialist will serve the San Fernando Valley area.

Core Work Activities

• To meet assigned Bridges outcome goals.
• Fostering and maintaining youth relationships in order to establish their commitment to utilizing our services as a resource. Providing assessments as well as individualized training and guidance to assist youth towards their career goals. Identifying and addressing barriers to employment. Providing follow-up services to facilitate their growth as they gain more experience/skills.
• To accurately maintain records to document program activities.
• Manage and represent the “Bridges” brand. Maintain relationships and communication with school districts, school personnel, employers, parents/guardians, counselors, state agencies, and colleagues.
• Regularly attend meetings with various stakeholders.
• Facilitate transportation for participants.
• Maintain participant files and records as required in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Assigned Outcome Goals

• Enroll sufficient youth to achieve placement and retention outcomes:
  • Twelve (12) 90-Day Retentions; and
  • Ten (10) 180-Day Retentions.
• Outcome requirements subject to change based on the organization’s needs.

In order to consistently achieve results, Youth Employment Specialists I must effectively:

• Recruit and enroll an appropriate caseload of program participants.
• Assess skills, interests, and experience of each young adult.
• Identify challenges relative to employment objectives and create specific, practical strategies to address them.
• Develop an active pool of employers that can offer jobs consistent with employment objectives of participants.
• Assess critical success factors for specific jobs, and develop job matches that benefit both the young person and the employer.
• Re-place youth as needed to achieve retention outcomes and/or to assist youth with vocational growth.
• Provide appropriate support to all involved (youth and employers) to assure employment success and vocational growth. Support includes but is not limited to:
  • Assistance with initial training and orientation to the workplace including some job coaching.
  • Guidance regarding modification of training materials and approaches to fit the individual’s learning style.
  • Assistance with public transportation or other peripheral issues that may impact employment success.
  • Appraisal and assistance with employer job accommodations.
  • Facilitation of regular formal appraisals of on-the-job performance.
  • Assistance in identifying and accessing necessary off-the-job supports or development opportunities (training, assistive equipment, etc.).

Education and Experience:

• Four-year college degree or equivalent in qualifying work experience.
• Formal training and/or experience in the following areas:
  • School-to-work transition (work with students with disabilities desirable).
  • Case management
  • Job development or employment support
  • Sales, marketing, and networking

Required Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact and communicate effectively, specifically:
  • Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to build, facilitate, and participate in collaboration between diverse groups.
  • Ability to effectively interpret and address needs of diverse constituents.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to effectively work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to frequent changes, perform multiple tasks, and prioritize accordingly.
• Strong time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of technology including Microsoft suite applications, database management systems, and other internet-based platforms.
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Must be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC where allowed by local mandate. Valid driver’s license (where applicable).
• Ability to safely transport participants to and from interviews, meetings, and appointments(etc.) in a timely manner.
• If using own transportation, will need to pass MVR and insurance requirements.
• Bilingual is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to navigate inside of schools, business locations, and the local community.
• Ability to operate a vehicle or proficiency in using public transportation for commuting to various locations.
• Ability to operate general office equipment

We invite you to complete the optional self-identification questions below used for compliance with government regulations and record-keeping guidelines. Any self-identification information provided will not be considered in the selection process.

GENDER Male Female Nonbinary I do not wish to self-identify my gender

ETHNICITY American Indian/Alaska Native (Not Hispanic or Latino) Asian (Not Hispanic or Latino) Black/African American (Not Hispanic or Latino) Hispanic/Latino Native Hawaiian/Other Pac Island (Not Hispanic or Latino) White (Not Hispanic or Latino) Two or More Races (Not Hispanic or Latino) Decline to Specify

We are required by law to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We are also required to measure our progress toward having at least 7% of our workforce be individuals with disabilities. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had a disability. Because a person may become disabled at any time, we ask all of our employees to update their information at least every five years.
Identifying yourself as an individual with a disability is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer will be maintained confidentially and not be seen by selecting officials or anyone else involved in making personnel decisions. Completing the form will not negatively impact you in any way, regardless of whether you have self-identified in the past. For more information about this form or the equal employment obligations of federal contractors under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

Yes, I Have A Disability, Or Have A History/Record Of Having A Disability No, I Don’t Have A Disability, Or A History/Record Of Having A Disability I Don’t Wish To Answer