Youth Development Specialist

Summary: Emerging Triumphantly is looking for a highly motivated Youth Development Specialist (YDS) at Gaithersburg High School located in Gaithersburg, MD. This rewarding and hands-on position is an amazing opportunity to deliver impactful during/after school programs and support families through community-based programs and services.The core workdays for the YDS position are Monday-Friday with occasional evening and weekends.Primary Responsibilities:· Recruit students and families for during/after-school positive youth development and parent support programs; communicate with parents on an as needed basis.· Enroll youth and families in the Wellness Center.· Implement baseline, follow-up, and satisfaction surveys related to Wellness Center programs, analyze survey outcomes, and make applicable program adjustments. Use evaluation data as basis for designing Wellness Plans with youth and families.· Co-create an inviting meeting space for youth and families.· Organize and facilitate during/after-school positive youth development programs.· Plan and execute creative and engaging recreational events and activities for clients, support team members with similar tasks.· Schedule and conduct regular meetings/sessions with clients to provide mentoring, coaching, advocacy, and other forms of support to cultivate trusting relationships.· Regularly confer with Parent Outreach Workers (POWs) to assess and prioritize client cases, survey results, and action plans involving youth and families.· Partner with team members to conduct various types of meetings/sessions.· Identify opportunities to collaborate with other recreational and partner agencies to provide effective and relevant programming.· Maintain organized and updated physical and electronic files for each client, including relevant documentation: signed forms and releases; baseline, follow-up, and satisfaction surveys. Adheres to all federal, state, and local client document confidentialityrequirements· Establish a strong network of professional relationships with school administration,teachers, guidance counselors, and other school-based personnel to facilitate the referral of clients to needed programs/services.· Liaise with school staff and the stakeholder community regarding the needs of clients.· Attend and actively participates in required trainings, meetings, and presentations.Secondary Responsibilities:· Participate in organization and/or partner agency advocacy activities.· Facilitate outreach efforts and presentations at various locations, including any/all potentially new program sites.· Collaborate with other programs and/or partner agencies to support with recruitment efforts.· Order and organize program materials/supplies and submit applicable documentation in a timely manner.· Collaborate with school-based health clinic to conduct outreach activities/presentations to provide education and resources to school staff, students, and parents regarding programs and services offered by the Wellness Center.· Assist health clinic staff with translation and interpretation when necessary.· Perform other duties as assigned, required, or needed.Education and Experience· Bachelor's degree in social work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field (preferred). Work experience will be considered· Minimum two years of experience working with youth or community outreach/ enrichment program(s).· Training in Stages of Change, coaching, counseling, or adolescent development is a plus· Must complete the following trainings upon hire: Advancing Youth Development, Child Protective Services, HIPAA, CPR/First Aid· Must be able to pass a federal criminal background check and a Child Protective Services background checkSkills and Abilities· Bilingual English/French (preferred but not required).· Knowledge of adolescent psychology (including Stages of Change and developmental stages), Positive Youth Development Model, motivational interviewing, and counseling.· Thrives in a challenging and fast-paced environment. Prioritizes, organizes, andcompletes multiple projects to meet deadlines with effective and efficient use of resources.· Proficient in Microsoft Office, plus experience with database management.· Demonstrates a strong code of ethics, integrity, and always maintains confidentiality.· Commitment to building rapport and trust with clients, staff, and stakeholders.· Executes sound judgment and decision making when working with youth and others.· Maintains composure, patience, and professionalism under pressure.· Consistently demonstrates flexibility, initiative, and resourcefulness.· Ability to tactfully defuse crisis situations.Work Environment· Requires travel between sites. Valid driver's license required.· Able to work a flexible 40-hour work week.· Continuous sitting for prolonged periods, more than two consecutive hours in an 8-hour day interspersed with mobility.· Keyboard use equal to or greater than 30% of the workday.· Ability to lift and move up to 10 lbs.· Semi-private office or open work area; easily interrupted with external noise; and controlled air temperature.Please email a cover letter and resume' to info@.Benefits:· Dental Insurance· Health Insurance· Paid Time Off· Vision InsuranceCompany Website:CONSIDERATIONS:All current CDC safety guidelines are being followed during in person engagement.

Created: 2025-01-14