Youth Engagement Specialist

Covenant House New Jersey; Newark, San Diego (NJ, CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Youth Engagement Specialist to provide care and services to at-risk youth. This role focuses on creating inclusive community opportunities, promoting wellness, and engaging youth in meaningful activities. The ideal candidate will have experience working with diverse populations, strong communication skills, and a commitment to violence prevention. Join a team dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people and fostering a supportive environment where they feel valued and empowered.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403B Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• 2-3 years’ experience working with high-risk youth.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate programming for youth on conflict resolution and stress management.
• Conduct outreach to high-risk individuals and document youth contacts.

Skills

Youth Engagement

Conflict Resolution

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Bilingual (Spanish-English)

Team Collaboration

Stress Management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

B.A. or B.S.

Job description

Job Title: Youth Engagement Specialist (DLC-YES)

The DLC Youth Engagement Specialist (DLC-YES) is responsible for providing care and services to youth at the Youth Engagement Center with respect and unconditional love. The staff creates inclusive, affirming community opportunities where young people feel welcomed, seen, heard, and valued. They encourage wellness activities and skills integration into daily life, promoting balance for body, mind, and spirit. Flexibility in schedule is required to align with youth availability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Participate in Community Resiliency Model Training (CRM) as a train-the-trainer participant.
2. Facilitate and share knowledge of the CRM model with youth and staff.
3. Create programming supporting de-escalation, conflict resolution, problem-solving, impulse control, and stress management.
4. Develop programs that build skills to protect youth from risky behaviors such as fighting and substance use.
5. Organize engaging social activities fostering community and non-violent options.
6. Assist and co-facilitate youth groups in a safe environment.
7. Maintain a shared calendar of youth activities to promote engagement.
8. Conduct outreach to high-risk individuals and provide referrals to violence intervention programs.
9. Document all youth contacts accurately in ETO.
10. Attend staff meetings and represent Covenant House New Jersey in community and media engagements on violence prevention.
11. Participate in violence prevention and gang de-escalation efforts with other providers.
12. Respond promptly to emails, calls, and calendar invites.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Days off are Sunday and Monday.

Experience and Skills:

1. Commitment to working with diverse youth populations, especially urban youth issues and community violence.
2. 2-3 years’ experience working with youth aged 14-24 at high risk of violence involvement.
3. Facilitation or coaching experience preferred.
4. Familiarity with Newark neighborhoods is strongly preferred.
5. Bilingual (Spanish-English) preferred.
6. Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong communication and organizational skills.
7. Punctual, reliable, organized, detail-oriented, and computer literate.
8. Availability to work weekends.
9. Ability to handle stressful situations.
10. High School Diploma or GED required; B.A. or B.S. preferred.
11. Experience overcoming violence or involvement in the criminal justice system encouraged.
12. Excellent communication skills.
13. Valid NJ Driver’s License with insurable record and ability to operate a 12-passenger van.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 403B Retirement Plan, and Paid Time Off.