Job Title: Youth Employment Coordinator/Supervisor

Reports to: Connections Director

Full Time (35-40 hours per week), non-exempt

$20 - 22/hr

Job Summary:

The Youth Employment Coordinator/Supervisor is a brand-new position that comes at a time of broad community support and a significant need to pour into the vocational development of young people in the West Michigan area. The Youth Employment Coordinator/Supervisor will work alongside youth and their families to increase ESCAPE Ministry’s influence and impact in providing high quality youth employment training, coaching, and small-business development. This position will be crucial in increasing the number of youth enrolled in our summer jobs program, and increasing the number of youth in our community who are keeping jobs and overcoming barriers to employment success, providing a positive doorway for young adults into the working world. The successful candidate will have a heart and passion for working with adolescents to discover and realize their potential as productive members of society.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or more
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and be a positive role model for young people, especially with youth in vulnerable situations.
• Proficient in Word Processing, Email, Presentation, Spreadsheets, and digital file organization.
• Pass Background Check
• Valid Driver’s License highly preferred
• Embraces mission, vision and beliefs of ESCAPE Ministries
• Demonstrates commitment to a trauma-informed, equitable, and relational approach to youth empowerment

Primary Position Responsibilities:

• Coach a caseload of ESCAPE alumni towards achieving adult milestones (e.g. money management, higher education/certification, driver’s license, stable living) and increasing employability.
• Coach a caseload of 14-18 year old ESCAPE students towards obtaining, keeping and succeeding in their part-time jobs, helping them form early positive vocational identities.
• With support from the Connections Director, design and implement an internship program for select youth to connect vocational interest with work needs of ESCAPE’s employer partners, practicing and applying employability skills in specific roles.
• Co-direct Career Connections Summer Jobs planning, client recruitment, interviewing, and execution.
• Collaborate and synergize with local employers, organizations, schools, and community resources to build fruitful opportunities for youth to build employability skills.
• Direct Drivers Training Scholarship interviews, evaluation and follow through.
• Develop and lead year-round, engaging programming, events, workshops and tours for students, alumni, and families centered around vocation & career development.
• Help youth develop a sense of calling/vocation and direction through career & higher education discovery tools.
• Direct the can & bottle drive social enterprise – organizing routine returns, leading teams if needed.
• Help create and manage new student-led businesses and events towards learning, sustainability, and joy.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Execute creative and effective incentive and promotion system while developing employability skills in youth (e.g. work ethic, communication, etc.)
• Work with youth to develop a sound personal financial ethos and strategy that builds healthy habits of savings, spending and giving.
• Attend youth employment conferences and professional development to steer the program to new heights.
• Recruit students and parents to engage with ESCAPE via messaging, sign-up sheets, flyers, and community presence.
• Help upperclassmen and graduates navigate college tours, applications, scholarships, FAFSA, and other higher education-related tasks.
• Drive ESCAPE vehicles to transport students as needed
• Coach youth away from substance abuse addictions, increasing employability (training included)
• Maintain detailed attendance records, youth information, and time sheets for all programs and events.
• Work with a team of leaders (including volunteers) to facilitate a safe environment for youth to build relationships and engage in personal and spiritual growth.
• Actively supervise and engage with youth while at ESCAPE, in vehicles, and on work site.
• Use in person, phone and/or email methods to effectively communicate with work site contacts, ESCAPE, parents and youth, as appropriate.
• Execute all tasks in accordance with ESCAPE’s mission, culture, and values (e.g. rooted in the Gospel, trauma-informed care, Relationships at the Center, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25 pounds overhead repeatedly during the day.
• Must be able to operate hand tools (e.g. shovel, rake, wheelbarrow) effectively.
• Must be able to stand and be physically active, outdoors, in warm temperatures, for 4 hours at a time.

About us

ESCAPE Ministries intervenes in the lives of youth who fall through the cracks of society. We connect youth with opportunities, resources, and Gospel-rooted relationships, empowering all to thrive as we discover our worth together.

We are a scrappy, loving, high-trust team who bring hope, belonging and empowerment to the young heroes with which we work. In everything we do we point them to a life where they are their best selves, the life Jesus has for them, and we help them get their through mature counsel, mentorship and a good mix of truth and love.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• youth development: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Holland, MI 49423 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Holland, MI 49423: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person