Youth Workforce Specialist - Home Youth Services

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k contribution after 1 year

Employee Assistance Program

Life insurance

Health, Vision and Dental Insurance

Continuing education opportunities

Job summary

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency is seeking a Youth Workforce Specialist to develop and oversee workforce development programs for youth. You’ll deliver employment readiness training, career exploration, and job placement support while building relationships with local employers and schools.

The role emphasizes community partnerships, mentorship, and ongoing program evaluation to improve outcomes for youth facing barriers to employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social services, workforce development, or related field.
• Two years of experience in workforce training, youth programming, career coaching, or related field.
• Experience developing and facilitating job readiness training for youth preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement workforce development programs that align with youth needs and employment opportunities.
• Provide job readiness training, career coaching, and mentorship to youth participants.
• Conduct workshops to help youth develop skills to enter the workforce.
• Assist youth in developing resumes, job applications, and interview skills.
• Establish partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and schools to support job placements and internships.
• Coordinate and track youth enrollment, participation, and program outcomes.
• Develop and maintain a calendar of workforce development activities, workshops, and employer engagement events.
• Stay up to date with labor market trends, career pathways, and workforce best practices.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, gathering feedback and making improvements.

Skills

Youth workforce development

Employer partnerships

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Videoconferencing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education or social services

Tools

Microsoft Office

Videoconferencing platforms

Digital learning tools

Job description

Working at MWVCAA means becoming part of a mission-driven community dedicated to equity, dignity, and opportunity for all. We offer competitive pay, a rich company culture that values diversity, and an array of benefits – but we consider the best benefit here to be the reward of helping those in our community live better lives. Come find meaningful work and bring your skills as a Youth Workforce Specialist. The Youth Workforce Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing workforce development programs for youth. This position facilitates employment readiness training, career exploration, and job placement assistance while building relationships with community partners, employers, and educational institutions. This team offers a lot of growth opportunities and professional development through hands‑on experience.

Tuesday‑Saturday 10am‑6pm

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor's degree in education, Social Services, Workforce Development, or a related field.
• Two years of experience in workforce training, youth programming, career coaching, or a related field.
• Experience developing and facilitating job readiness training for young people preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Driver qualifications are required for this position. Valid driver license, insured vehicle available for use on the job, and a satisfactory drive record for the previous three years are required.
• Candidate must pass a comprehensive MWVCAA background screening prior to employment.
• Candidate must pass Oregon Department of Human Services criminal background check.
• Candidate must pass pre‑employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.
• Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification is required within first 30 days of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Preferences given to applicants who have experience working with people experiencing homelessness or at‑risk of becoming homeless.
• Strong understanding of youth workforce development principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with employers, community organizations, and schools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, videoconferencing platforms, and digital learning tools.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

WHAT YOU WILL DO TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY

• Develop and implement workforce development programs that align with youth needs and employment opportunities.
• Provide job readiness training, career coaching, and mentorship to youth participants.
• Conduct workshops in an effort to help youth develop skills necessary to enter the workforce.
• Assist youth in developing resumes, job applications, and interview skills.
• Establish partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and schools to support job placements and internship opportunities.
• Coordinate and track youth enrollment, participation, and program outcomes.
• Develop and maintain a calendar of workforce development activities, workshops, and employer engagement events.
• Stay up to date with labor market trends, career pathways, and workforce best practices.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, gathering feedback and making improvements as necessary.
• Advocate for youth employment opportunities within the community.
• Support participants in overcoming barriers to employment, connecting them with necessary resources.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Frequent driving, including Agency vehicles with youth passengers.
• Maintains calm dispositions and regulates emotions when clients, staff, or others may become
• Regulates emotions and handles pressure of frequent demands for attention, time and work
• Attends and engages in required annual
• Specific vision abilities are required of this position. Frequently required to hear and
• Use of kitchen equipment including, but not limited to range, oven, steamer, dishwasher, and various kitchen
• Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50
• Frequent mobility for up to 8 hours a
• Manual dexterity for handling office and kitchen

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires on‑site work.
• Close quarters, often with a client youth population experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and/or severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unpredictable behavior.
• Indoor work environment with frequent interruptions and
• Variable work shifts, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required.
• Work environment is occasionally warm, humid and temperatures vary.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 401k contribution after 1 year
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance
• For some positions, employees may be eligible for company‑sponsored continuing education

**This is a partial list of essential duties and responsibilities. To review the full job description, download below.**

Note that compensation for each role at MWVCAA is based off a number of factors such as experience and education.

If you need ADA accommodations to apply for MWVCAA job openings, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or call 503-585-6232 to ask for a HR Team Member.

MWVCAA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, veterans, and people with disabilities or any other protected category. We welcome all people to join us in achieving our Mission. If you require any assistance in the application process, or reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties of the position, please notify a member of our team at [phone].

Oregon Department of Human Services criminal background check and Pre‑employment drug screening test required.