Youth Specialist II

Youth Guidance; Homestead (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

401k

Wellness program

Job summary

Youth Guidance in Homestead, PA seeks a BAM Youth Specialist II to mentor boys in grades 6–12, applying CBT and trauma-informed methods. The role focuses on building social skills, making responsible choices, and fostering school and community engagement.

Responsibilities include leading groups, providing individual counseling, documenting progress within 24 hours, and collaborating with schools and families. A Bachelor’s degree is required, with Master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, or related field required.
• Two years of youth engagement experience minimum.
• Two years of supervised group counseling experience preferred.
• LPC/LSW or LCPC/LCSW/LMFT+ preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and build relationships with up to 60 school-based youth for the BAM program.
• Lead 4–5 weekly BAM groups during the school day.
• Provide individual, family, and crisis counseling sessions as needed.
• Deliver trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate support to BAM participants.
• Document interactions within 24 hours and maintain program records.
• Contribute to annual program budgeting for field trips and events, and coordinate with schools and partnering organizations.
• Participate in professional development and collaborate with school staff and Youth Guidance teams.

Skills

CBT

Group Counseling

Trauma-informed Care

Cultural Sensitivity

Written and Verbal Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, or related field

Master’s degree in social work or counseling with youth engagement experience (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Homestead, PA 15120, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Bachelors Degree, Salary Range: $52,000.00 - $66,000.00 Salary/year

About Our Organization

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country. For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org.

Position Summary

Becoming A Man (BAM) Youth Specialist II’s are responsible for guiding young men in grades 6 – 12 to learn, internalize, and practice social skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive members of their school and community. Drawing on their academic training in psychology, social work, or counseling, BAM Youth Specialist II’s use evidence-informed practices, trauma-informed engagement, and culturally responsive approaches to support the personal growth of youth. BAM Youth Specialist II’s do this by providing the young men with the mindsets, values, and abilities they need to develop into healthy, responsible young men and thrive.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Work in collaboration with the Program Supervisor and school administration to recruit and build relationships with up to 60 school-based youth to participate in the BAM program.
• Lead and facilitate 4 – 5 weekly BAM groups during the school-day, utilizing youth engagement, clinical counseling, and men’s rites of passages skills.
• Provide individualized support to all BAM participants, and provide individual, family and crisis counseling sessions to students on an as needed basis.
• Provide trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate support to BAM participants, including one-on-one check-ins, case management, and goal setting as needed.
• Participate in weekly staff development trainings and team meetings on the evidence-based BAM curriculum and other topics relevant to working with youth.
• Participate in supervision and coaching to ensure fidelity of program delivery.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessments, and short-term individual interventions to students as needed, in alignment with best practices in adolescent mental health care and school-based clinical protocols.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessments, and short-term individual interventions to students as needed, in alignment with best practices in adolescent mental health care and school-based clinical protocols.
• Document all interactions with youth, including group and individual case notes, clinical assessments, brief encounters, special events, program consents, pre/post surveys, and monthly program narratives based on program protocol (within 24 hrs.)
• Work jointly with Program Supervisor to manage an annual program budget to plan and execute field trips and special events for students throughout school year and summer.
• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and other Youth Guidance programs to provide, and participate in professional development sessions.
• Collaborate and/or coordinate services with partnering schools, community-based organizations, Youth Guidance Parent Family Engagement team and school parent engagement team.
• Collaborate with school staff, caregivers, and external service providers to coordinate aftercare planning, including wraparound supports, facilitating referrals to mental health or community-based services, and ensuring continuity of care for youth.
• Participate in Journey to Self-Discovery Rites of Passage Training
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications: Education/Experience/Training

• Bachelor’s degree from an approved accredited university in the field of social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, or similar related field
• Master's degree in social work, counseling or a related human service field from an approved accredited university and one year of youth engagement experience preferred.
• Minimum of two years of youth engagement experience.
• Minimum of two years of experience providing supervised group counseling.
• LPC, LSW, or eligibility preferred. LCPC, LCSW or LMFT plus.

Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of psychological concepts (e.g. CBT, Clinical Processing, Modeling and Group Development)
• Completion of BAM curriculum training.
• Ability to commit to the continuous improvement of service quality and the organization’s mission.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.
• Succinct written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to function well in group and team settings.
• Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills that excel in cultural sensitivity and respect for differences.
• Ability to pass criminal background and sex offender checks.
• Willingness to occasionally participate in youth sports activities.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of advanced psychological concepts (e.g. CBT, Clinical Processing, Group Development) preferred.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening
• Client orientation: Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact
• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace
• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work
• Supervisory skills: Effectively manages and develops others
• Mission drive: Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public.
• Occasional local travel

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.