LifeSet Specialist

$27.47 - $30.22 / hour

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Team Supervisor, the LifeSet Specialist will provide services to address the needs of young people aged 17-21 who are transitioning out of care and need individualized skill development and support to transition successfully into adulthood, specifically obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing their education, learning independent living skills, obtaining and maintaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free of legal involvement. The LifeSet Specialist provides individual services to young adults in their homes and at The Next Generation Center (NGC), a one-stop, multi-service center located in the Morrisania section of the South Bronx, to support disconnected youth and those at risk of becoming disconnected, as they transition into adulthood.

The LifeSet Specialist is directly responsible for all interventions associated with a specific young adult and their family, including case management and collaboration with external key stakeholders and referral sources, such as probation, child welfare workers, schools, therapists, etc. The LifeSet Specialist will conduct an ongoing assessment of the young person’s needs from a strength-focused, solution-based perspective and will develop monthly service plans.

Essential Duties

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Engage potential clients and their families and assist with barriers to accessing care.
• Advocate for and support young people in obtaining and maintaining suitable housing.
• Support young adults in securing and maintaining education and jobs.
• Support young adults in learning and improving independent living skills.
• Support young adults in building a support system.
• Facilitate experiences for personal and social-emotional growth for young adults.
• Make referrals for psychiatric treatment when indicated.
• Make other referrals as needed.
• Work closely with all service providers in the care and case management of program participants.
• Conduct community outreach.
• Participate in weekly group, clinical, and individual supervision.
• Attend professional trainings and conferences.
• Conduct ongoing assessments and monthly service plans for young people.
• Comply with documentation, including progress notes and assessment tools, in a timely manner.
• Keep track of program outcomes and write reports for funding sources.
• Ensure that all clients, visitors, guests, and co-workers are treated with care, dignity, and respect.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule; within the hours of operation of the Next Generation Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, master’s degree preferred.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Desire to work with young people from a strengths-based approach.
• Prior clinical experience in child welfare and with adolescents is highly desirable.
• Knowledge about trauma and chronic stress and their effects.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals, families, and colleagues from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Understanding of Restorative Practices, a plus.
• Experience using Motivational Interviewing a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a community environment.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule, including the ability to be on call 24/7(rotating on-call at night and on weekends).
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Prior experience working within the child welfare system is highly desirable.
• Bilingual candidates (Fluency in Spanish) are highly encouraged to apply.
  
  

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.