Youth Employment Specialist I

Bridges From School To Work; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Valid8 Financial, Inc. is seeking a Youth Employment Specialist I in Philadelphia, PA, to help young adults with disabilities find competitive employment. This role involves recruiting participants, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, and providing assessments and individualized training. Candidates must have a four-year degree or equivalent experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Bilingual Spanish is a plus. Join us to make a meaningful difference.

Qualifications

• Formal training and/or experience in school-to-work transition.
• Experience in case management and job development.
• Ability to work well under pressure and minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Help young adults with disabilities find competitive employment.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders for recruiting participants.
• Assess participants' skills and develop strategies for improvement.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Time management skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Knowledge of Microsoft applications

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Four-year college degree or equivalent

Tools

Database management systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Bridges From School to Work (Bridges) is recognized by leaders in government, business, and education as a vital resource for helping high school students with disabilities transition from school to the workplace. The Bridges program is operated in several major metropolitan areas and serves young people who often have multiple barriers to employment. Over the years, Bridges has demonstrated outstanding results and has built a reputation for excellence.

Job Summary

The role of a Youth Employment Specialist I is to help young adults with disabilities find competitive employment and build their strengths in different areas related to the workforce. The role requires recruiting participants, helping them find competitive employment that matches their strengths and interests, and keeping detailed records of all job-related activities completed. Relationships with state agencies, schools, parents, students, and employers are essential for success.

Core Work Activities

• To meet assigned Bridges outcome goals.
• Fostering and maintaining youth relationships to ensure their commitment to using our services. Provide assessments, individualized training, and guidance to help youth toward their career goals, identify barriers to employment, and offer follow‑up services to support growth.
• 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 in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Outcome Goals

• Enroll sufficient youth to achieve placement and retention outcomes: Sixteen (16) placements; twelve (12) 90‑day retentions; and ten (10) 180‑day retentions.
• Outcome requirements may change based on the organization’s needs.

Responsibilities for Consistent Results

• 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 participants’ employment objectives.
• 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 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 the needs of diverse constituents.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to frequent changes, perform multiple tasks, and prioritize accordingly.
• Knowledge of technology including Microsoft suite applications, database management systems, and other internet‑based platforms.
• Ability to maintain the 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 in a timely manner.
• If using own transportation, will need to pass MVR and insurance requirements.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to navigate inside 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 are required by law to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities and to measure our progress toward having at least 7% of our workforce be individuals with disabilities. We may ask applicants if they have a disability or have ever had a disability, and we will update that information at least every five years. Identifying yourself as an individual with a disability is voluntary, and your answer will be maintained confidentially and not seen by any official or personnel involved in making hiring decisions. Completing this form will not negatively impact you in any way. 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.