POSITION SUMMARY

The Education and Employment Specialist (EES) is an energetic and youth-centered individual who is passionate about supporting current and former foster youth in reaching their educational and employment goals. The EES manages a caseload of up to 30 youth in the My First Place housing program, providing targeted employment and education case management within a team setting. The EES supports youth in developing goals related to post-secondary education, career development, and obtaining and maintaining a living wage. The EES must have knowledge in youth-centered approaches to support the development of skills in securing and maintaining employment along with a solid understanding of the traditional school, post-secondary, vocational, and apprenticeship education systems. Additionally, the EES is responsible for forming and maintaining relationships with local employers, educational programs, and community resources to support job-linkages. The EES must be able to influence, teach and motivate youth and understand coaching principles to guide youth through the stages of change. The EES performs both one-on-one support and group-based work and leads education and employment events for the My First Place program. The EES works in partnership with the Youth Advocate position to coordinate targeted support to youth.

BENEFITS

• Full-time position
• 15 days of vacation time in year one
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 flexible holidays
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO
  • Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place
• Delta Dental Premium PPO
• VSP Vision
• Retirement opportunities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support youth to identify and work toward employment and educational goals that support independence.
• Meet with individual youth regularly to develop career related goals and identify steps to achieve goals, including post-secondary education planning. Provide continuous coaching, identify barriers and develop joint-plans to achieve success with youth and Youth Advocate.
• Lead workshops related to career education, job seeking skills and other pre- and post-employment related skills such as resume development, dressing for success, interviewing and job maintenance.
• Document and track all meetings with youth by creating case notes within internal database and within required timelines.
• Coach youth participants on handling work-related issues and promote self-advocacy
• Assess educational status and interests of youth participants on an ongoing basis through standard assessments and in 1:1 session with the youth. Work with youth on their individualized educational goals focusing on self-sufficiency and identify short-term steps towards reaching these goals
• Complete initial and annual assessments with youth participants within program timelines
• Plan, organize, and lead monthly events for youth.
• Develop individualized plans with each unique youth, considering their cultural identity, background, and experience.
• Establish and maintain external collaborations with individuals and businesses to develop employment opportunities for youth
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department
• Other duties may be assigned

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Complete documentation including but not limited to Action Plans, assessments, and progress notes within required timelines.
• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with the Program Manager or the EE Supervisor.
• Regularly monitor employment and education data and use data to identify trends and present findings to the team
• Participate in agency committees as assigned.
• Provide ongoing orientation and training to staff as assigned.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, education, or related field required
• Two years of full-time social work or casework employment in the field of family or child welfare services.
• One year of experience working with youth in career development and job placement capacities
• Excellent knowledge of education and employment resources for youth in the Bay Area
• General knowledge of the issues facing Transition Aged Foster Youth foster youth
• Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
• Must have a dependable car, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check
• ATTENTION TO DETAIL – Ability to work with a high level of detail, work has a high level of professional polish down to the smallest details, documents and products are well thought out and clear, database is organized and up to date.
• DRIVEN BY ACCOMPLISHMENT – Clarity on project goals and the personal drive to accomplish goals, finished projects are thorough and delivered on time. High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• COMPUTER SKILLS - Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook. Experience with database systems
• STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages and present data in a clear and inspiring manner.
• HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM – A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts, presents to others as organized, informed, and friendly.
• DECISIVE NATURE - Well-honed ability to independently anticipate and analyze situations, define problems and objectives, recognize viable alternatives, and formulate rapid solutions, with an understanding of the inherent risks and the implications of making tough decisions.
• AVAILABILITY for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

www.firstplaceforyouth.org