The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) works with the Youth Development Supervisor tocoordinate, plan and implement group activities; facilitates group sessions; ensure a safeenvironment for our clients; provides weekly check-ins, home visits or school visits; and workscooperatively with the client and their family to develop and implement an individualizedservice plan designed to help clients build targeted skills and reach established goals.

Education: Youth Development Specialist I: High School Diploma and 5 years of experience.Youth Development Specialist II: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Education orrelated field and one year experience. Youth Development Specialist III: Master’s degree inHuman Services, Social Work, Education or related field one year experience.

Licensure/Certification: N/A

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have experience working with special needs/at-risk girls and families, with pastexperience in providing gender-specific, trauma-informed approaches toprevention/intervention services.
• Knowledge of inequity issues that impact girls and young women of color.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues that impact girls living in underserved, low socioeconomic areas.
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal relationship and communications skills necessary.
• Must be available to work non traditional hours; evenings and some weekends when program activities are planned.
• Valid PA driver’s license with excellent driving record, reliable vehicle, insurance 300,000/100,00 and registration required.
• Clearances Required: PA Act 33 (Child Abuse) / Act 34 (Criminal History) / Federal CriminalHistory Record (FBI Fingerprint) / National Sex Offender Registry
• Must demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of clients,volunteers and staff throughout the provision of services.
• Ability to make safe and appropriate decisions during times of crisis.

Position Summary

• Facilitates and assists with the coordinating, planning and the implementing of groupactivities based on targeted risk behaviors in conjunction with Gwen’s Girls Life Domains.Seeks out age-appropriate and relevant activities for our girls in surrounding communities;and makes all necessary arrangements for girls to participate. Assists with transportationneeds. Assesses and documents individual and group behaviors in a timely manner.

• Maintains proper documentation of group sessions as documented in the Key InformationDemographic System (KIDS) and agency database. Conducts pre-post surveys, etc. toensure goals and objectives are met. States and maintains group rules for emotional andphysical safety at each session.

• Establishes a caring, nurturing relationship with each assigned client and partners with the client’s family through ongoing face-to-face contacts. Works cooperatively with the client, family, school and other stakeholders to develop and implements individualized service plans (aka, pathway plan) to help clients build targeted skills and reach established goals. Works cooperatively with the care team to assess when additional support services are required. Completes home visits with families according to identified level of need. Reviews and reassesses service plans at least quarterly on each client. Maintains visits as required per policy and compliance standards.

• Provides proper documentation and progress reports, concerns, etc., at case reviews heldwith multi-disciplinary team. Communicates regularly with care team, transportation staff,and education manager to keep properly informed. Completed home visits and pathwayplans.

• Communicates effectively with volunteers, interns, stakeholders – parents, teachers, andcommunity providers. Assist volunteers and interns with activities with the youth. Maintainsongoing communication (no less than once a month) with referring agency, school and allother outside resources on behalf of Gwen’s Girls and our clients. Ensures that all activeparties are working collectively to reach the client goals.

• Ensures the safety and well-being of girls in the program. Managed behaviors and provideemotional support while building a therapeutic rapport with the clients and families.

• Provides safe and timely transportation of clients to and from activities as assigned by theYouth Development Supervisor. Follows all transportation policies and procedures; utilizesand completes appropriate transportation forms.

• Incorporates Sanctuary tools and practices into everyday interactions to create a trauma-informed environment. Upholds the principles of Sanctuary to provide a therapeuticframework and culture.

• Actively participates in all required team meetings, trainings and supervisory sessions. Meetsregularly with supervisor, communicates openly needs, concerns, and ideas; utilizesfeedback given in supervisory sessions.