Youth Specialist

About Our Organization

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.  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 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country.  For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org.

This position is based at school site Audubon Middle School: 4120 11th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Position Summary: Becoming A Man (BAM) Youth Specialists are responsible for guiding young men in grades 7 – 12 to learn, internalize, and practice social skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive members of their school and community. BAM Youth Specialists do this by providing the young men with the mindsets, values, and abilities they need to develop into healthy, responsible young men and thrive. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Responsible for working in an individual capacity at their respective site as the primary point of contact and representative for BAM Los Angeles. 

• Work in collaboration with BAM Program Supervisor and school administration to recruit and build relationships with up to 60 school-based youth to participate in the BAM program. 

• Lead and facilitate 4 – 5 weekly BAM groups during the school-day, utilizing youth engagement, clinical counseling, and men’s rites of passages skills. 

• Provide individualized support to all BAM participants, and provide individual, family and crisis counseling sessions to students on an as needed basis. 

• Responsible for navigating spaces and establishing key relationships while sharing challenges and information with their program supervisor and team at large. 

• Participate in ongoing staff development training and team meetings on the evidence-based BAM curriculum and other topics relevant to working with youth. 

• Participate in supervision and coaching to ensure fidelity of program delivery. 

• 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. 

• Work jointly with Program Supervisor to manage an annual program budget to plan and execute field trips and special events for students throughout school year and summer. 

• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and other Youth Guidance programs to provide, and participate in professional development sessions. 

• Collaborate and/or coordinate services with the Local School Council, Youth Guidance Parent Family Engagement team and school parent engagement team. 

• Responsible for working in an individual capacity at their respective site as the  

• Other duties as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

Education/Experience/Training 

• Bachelor’s degree from an approved accredited university and minimum of two years of youth engagement experience. 

• Master’s Degree in social work, counseling, or a related human service field from an approved accredited university and one year of youth engagement experience preferred. 

• Minimum of two years’ experience providing supervised group counseling. 

Skills/Abilities 

• Completion of BAM curriculum training. 

• Ability to commit to the continuous improvement of service quality and the organization’s mission. 

• Ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders. 

• Succinct written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to function well in group and team settings. 

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

• Ability to pass criminal background and sex offender checks. 

• Willingness to occasionally participate in youth sports activities. 

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint). 

• Knowledge of advanced psychological concepts (e.g. CBT, Clinical Processing, Group Development) preferred. 

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 

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. 

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 qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Compensation

$64,000.00 - $73,000.00

Pay is determined by your educational background and relevant professional experience. 

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.