Youth Empowerment Specialist

Title: Youth Empowerment Specialist

Reports To: Program Director – Pre-Trial Services

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Status: Full-time 

Supervisory Responsibility: Not Applicable

Purpose of the Role: 

The Youth Empowerment Specialist is responsible for connecting justice-involved individuals and young people (ages 18–24) to meaningful employment opportunities while also developing a network of mentors to support participants’ personal and professional growth. This role focuses on employer engagement, job placement, and mentor recruitment to improve job readiness, retention, and long-term success. The Youth Empowerment Specialist works closely with program staff to deliver individualized, trauma-informed, and strength-based support. 

Essential Functions of the Role:

Employer Engagement & Job Placement

• Develop and maintain relationships with local employers, businesses, and workforce partners
• Identify job opportunities aligned with participants’ skills, interests, and career goals
• Advocate with employers to create fair-chance hiring opportunities for justice-involved youth
• Match participants to appropriate job openings and coordinate interviews

Mentor Recruitment & Coordination

• Recruit, screen, and onboard volunteer and professional mentors from the community and employer partners
• Develop and maintain a diverse mentor network aligned with participants’ career interests
• Match participants with appropriate mentors based on goals, background, and needs
• Provide orientation, guidance, and ongoing support to mentors
• Monitor mentor-mentee relationships to ensure positive engagement and outcomes
• Organize mentor-related events, workshops, and networking opportunities

Participant Support

• Assist with job applications and interview preparation
• Provide coaching on workplace readiness, soft skills, and professional communication
• Address barriers to employment by coordinating or providing transportation, reviewing criminal history records for accuracy, and assisting with applying for Certificate of Relief of Disabilities.
• Support participants in job retention through ongoing follow-up and coaching
• Encourage engagement with mentors to reinforce career development and personal growth

Case Coordination & Documentation

• Collaborate with case managers, probation, courts and program staff to align employment and mentoring goals with service plans
• Track participant progress, job placements, mentor matches, and retention outcomes
• Maintain accurate records in case management systems
• Prepare reports on employment outcomes, mentor engagement, and partnerships

Advocacy & Outreach

• Educate employers and community members on the benefits of hiring and mentoring justice-involved youth
• Promote fair-chance hiring practices and reduce stigma
• Represent the program at community meetings, in courts, workforce development events, and partner organizations

Working Relationships:

Internal: Pre-Trial team, other CCC’s

External: Local Court, Police Department, Family Court, Dept. of Social Services, Mental Health Providers, Primary Care Physicians, Probation Officers, Legal Services, District Attorney’s Office, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm with some flexibility around client needs.

Physical Environment: 

• Traditional office environment. 
• Must be comfortable attending appointments at various agencies, facilities and clients’ homes.

Physical Demands: Must be able to drive a motor vehicle and carry up to 20 lbs.

Mental and Visual Demands: Flow of work and nature of duties involve normal coordination of mind and eyes much of the time.

• Must be able to interact with persons having mental health issues, periods of instability (i.e. lack of shelter, food, clothing or support), recently released from an institution (i.e. hospital, prison), limited comprehension and/or ability to manage through complex scenarios

Qualifications for this Role:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, workforce development, criminal justice, or related field 
• 3-5 years’ experience working with justice-involved individuals, opportunity youth, or underserved populations
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and networking skills
• Valid Driver License required and a driving record that will permit the use of an Agency vehicle to transport clients to appointments or other activities as needed.
• Proven ability to empathize with the clients we serve.
• Tenacity and passion for this work with the ability to balance objectivity with empathy.
• Computer literacy required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Preferred:

• Experience recruiting or managing mentors or volunteers
• Knowledge of local labor market trends and workforce systems
• Familiarity with reentry services and barriers faced by justice-involved individuals
• Experience with trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to build trust with young adults and mentors from diverse backgrounds
• Strong outreach, recruitment, and engagement skills
• Advocacy and negotiation skills with employers and community partners
• Cultural competency 
• Problem-solving and resourcefulness in addressing employment barriers
• Organizational and data-tracking skills

Compensation Range: $60,000 - $65,000