PA-Youth Services Specialist
Job Title: PA-Youth Services Specialist
Department: Special Projects
Reports To: Senior VP of Strategic Growth
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Summary
The Primary role for the Youth Services Specialist (YSS) is to develop and support New Horizons’ youth program in the schools, creating a welcoming, active and outcome-oriented experience for young adults with disabilities. Supports and serves as back-up for other Youth Services department activities.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Tracks all clients receiving services, and provides an update to the SVP of SG, as well as the data management team, to track attendance, “graduation” from the program, and generalized outcomes.
- Supports the CEO and VP of SG in writing formal reports to grant makers or other funders.
- Supports promoting the New Horizons agency so that graduates from high school know about NH, and potential programs and services in the community.
- Develops and maintains strong partnerships with teaching staff and administration at local high schools and colleges. Creates and maintains excellent communication with the individuals at the referenced educational centers.
- Markets program within New Horizons and to other agencies and programs to generate participants to meet target goals.
- Coordinates training schedules between participants, trainers, and host facilities.
- Provides and/or oversees in-person training to clients with a focus on travel training on public transportation systems.
- Supports College to Career and More program through instruction and support of Members exploring postsecondary learning and career options.
- Ensures that assessments and curriculum are individualized to the clients’ needs by utilizing best practice and evidence-based principles.
- In collaboration with the Senior VP of Strategic Growth, develops and refines curriculum for training students with disabilities in high schools, with a focus on travel training and employment preparation.
- Works closely with the other NH departments to coordinate services as needed.
- Works with accounting to submit monthly reimbursement requests to grantor.
- Manages program expenses to ensure within the grant budget requirements.
- Encourages trainees to advocate for themselves and others.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
- Attends meetings as directed/required.
- Supports the Agency’s mission and partners with others to accomplish the mission.
- Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards at all times.
- Maintains proficiency in computer applications and databases as required for this position.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be highly professional and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Problem solving skills and the ability to follow through on a situation to its logical end. Attention to detail and the ability to use good judgment and make sound decisions relating to the health and safety of the consumers served.
Excellent time management. Ability to organize, administer and coordinate a program and to act decisively and competently. Computer proficiency in Outlook, Word, and ability to learn other applications as needed.
Ability to write in English reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information in English and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Access to a vehicle, proof of vehicular insurance, a valid California Driver’s License, and a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier are required.
Belief in the agency philosophy and in the dignity of the individual; demonstrated ability to work in a cooperative and supportive manner with staff, consumers, and the community; must also demonstrate the ability to organize work in an efficient and timely manner to meet the demands of the job.
Education and/or Experience
Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation, human services or a related field from an accredited college or university or a minimum of three years’ work experience with individuals with special needs including at least one-year experience in an administrative capacity. At the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, additional related managerial experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret in English general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Good verbal and written communication skills required. Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred.
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
