Position: Workforce Development Specialist I #907024

Program: Youth Employment

Department: Youth Services

Reports to: Youth Employment Manager

Compensation: $18.00-23.75 per hour, plus $1.75 per hour Shift Differential Premium for hours worked between 6pm-6am

Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm

Status: 100%, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union

Probation: 90 days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Youth Center serves youth up to the age of 24 who are currently at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Youth Center offers services in an LGBTQ safe and affirming environment and serves as an entry point to assist youth making the transition from homelessness to housing. Our services include meals, clothing, support groups, a charter high school, GED and college prep program, an employment preparation, training and placement program, case management, counseling, a crisis shelter and a transitional living program (TLP). Our community-based programs include services for youth at-home, in school or in systems of care.

JOB SUMMARY: The Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for facilitating employment training, work readiness activities and job placement of youth ages 18 to 24. This position works closely with staff across multiple programs to develop programming and services that support youth experiencing homelessness in their educational, vocational, and employment goals. This position works with a population that is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness and has high rates of mental health, health and substance-related issues. The ideal candidate must be familiar with and have experience with this population.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•Plan and execute work readiness programming and activities for members utilizing a Positive Youth development framework.

•Provide employment counseling and services to members that includes assessment, resume preparation, career planning, job search trips, computer skills workshops, work readiness workshops and Friday Speaker series.

•Conduct outreach and interface with potential members for Youth Employment and Vocational programming.

•Complete intake process for youth into the Youth Center and Youth Academy.

•Work with members individually and in groups to develop their individualized employment plans and implement a Supported Employment model (Individual Placement and Support IPS) that provides wraparound support and resources to members to help ensure all aspects of their employment plans are addressed. 

•Work with community partners and support activities associated with the HIRE LA Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), UCLA’s YouthSource programs, such as LA RISE 3.0, as well as other placement opportunities for members. 

•Provide weekly support to members in the youth employment program through regular communication, educational and employment referrals, mental health services and additional resources. 

•Keep accurate and up-to-date Youth Employment statistics by tracking data and indicators for member enrollment, participation and progress.

•Monitor individual member and program performance to ensure that deliverables are being met. 

•Prepare reports as required and ensure that they are accurate, complete and submitted on time. 

•Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance. 

•Follow up with program management staff to ensure reporting are completed on a timely basis. 

•Assist with special projects as directed by management staff. 

•Responsible for maintaining professional working relations and providing assistance to Residential and Youth Development staff. 

•Other duties as assigned. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

•Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people. 

•A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people. 

•Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness. 

•Experience working with youth in a youth development setting and knowledgeable of the principles of Positive Youth Development; demonstrated ability in engaging youth and facilitating workshops. 

•Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles. 

•Ability to work with a high acuity population and able to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with clients.

•Ability to apply principles of professional boundaries and ethics to on the job situations. 

•Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active (reflective listening). 

•Ability to engage youth in activities and facilitate workshops. 

•Self-motivated, energetic, flexible and the ability to work in a team environment. 

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail and interpersonal skills. 

•Excellent computer skills and knowledge including word processing, database operations, spreadsheets, and other software systems. 

•Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured. 

•Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications. 

•Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, religion, disability, age, military or veteran status, including status as a victim of domestic violence, assault or stalking, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation or activities, medical or health conditions, and marital status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact jobs@lalgbtcenter.org