Senior Youth Specialist

About Our Organization:

At Youth Guidance, we believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly-trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the  youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924  today Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 8,500 youth while touching the lives of more than 14,000 youth, parents, teachers, and community members.

Please Note: Youth Guidance is seeking INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY for this position.

Position Summary: The Senior Youth Specialist plays a key leadership role in the planning, implementation, and oversight of Becoming A Man (BAM) program activities at assigned school sites. This position is responsible for supervising BAM Youth Specialists, supporting program fidelity, building strong school and community relationships, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. In collaboration with the National Implementation Manager, Replication Curriculum Specialist, and Director of Development, they will host site visits and partner with departments and other programs to support cross-functional initiatives.

Additionally, the Senior Youth Specialist will provide school-based counseling and direct service to youth in grades 6 – 12 based on Youth Guidance’s established curriculum program values, utilizing youth engagement and clinical expertise to aid in the success of the youth in the program and community.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direct supervision and support to BAM Youth Specialist including but not limited to program implementation, timecard management group supervision, performance evaluations, budget management, etc.


• Identify, recruit and build relationships with up to 60 school-based youth to participate in the BAM program


• Leads and facilitates 4-5 weekly group counseling sessions utilizing the program curriculum during the school day


• Provide leadership by participating in summer program planning, postsecondary initiatives, exposure opportunities, focus groups, special projects, etc.

• Document all interactions with youth, including group and individual case notes, clinical assessments, brief encounters, special events, program consents, pre/post surveys, and monthly program narratives based on program protocol.

• Assist in the staffing, planning, development, and implementation of program and partnership activities.


• Collaborate with BAM Youth Specialist and program leadership to foster strong relationships with youth and school administrators.


• Make hiring recommendations for any new BAM Youth Specialists and support YG’s onboarding processes.


• Participate in the recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding of all BAM Youth Specialists.


• Provide floating support across school sites as needed, offering both staff and program guidance.


• Mentor and provide shadowing opportunities for new and developing Youth Specialists


• Coordinate and host high profile site visits


• Participate in selected partnership engagement opportunities.


• Serve as a lead contributor in the Peer Case Review process.


• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work Education, Counseling, or related field (Master’s preferred)


• Two years’ experience facilitating groups


• Two years delivering program curriculum


• One year of leadership experience influencing team dynamics, serving as parent liaison, and taking leads on special projects within YG, the Greater Seattle School district, and the Highline Community.


• Experience in Clinical and Youth Engagement settings


• Experience working with trauma-informed services and framework


• Experience working in schools or youth related systems, i.e. DCFS, juvenile detention, and/or mental health facilities


• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills


• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and schools


• Commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and trauma-informed practice

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills


• Ability to work independently and in a team setting


• Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills that excel in cultural sensitivity and respect for differences required


• Proven ability to model YG values and norms

• Must demonstrate creativity in engaging youth


• Ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders required


• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and


• PowerPoint) required

Core Competencies

•  Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening


• Client orientation: Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact


• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace


• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn


• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work


• Supervisory skills: Effectively manages and develops others


• Mission drive: Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Leadership Core Competencies 

• Continuous improvement-minded:  Takes initiative to identify and execute strategies and processes to continuously improve one’s leadership to strengthen organization’s overall impact.​


• Develops and motivates others: Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring. Effectively stewards self and others through both small- and large-scale change. ​


• External representation and relationship building: Represents the organization among external stakeholders, and builds strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders​


• Leads with vision: Has an inspiring vision for the future of the organization, beyond the status quo, and communicates it effectively; leads with courage and willingness to take risks in service of impact​


• Manages with data: Understands data; analyzes data and identifies insights and implications​


• Strategic thinking and resource management: Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant; makes and communicates decisions that effectively balance tradeoffs between financial sustainability and impact​


• Team building: Builds strong relationships with teams and colleagues; fosters effective teams and collaborative interactions​

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Occasional local travel

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also quality for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.