Job Information
Queens Community House Youth Development Specialist in Ozone Park, New York
About Us:
Queens Community House (QCH) is a multi-site, multi-service settlement house serving the diverse population of Queens through a wide array of programs and services for children and youth, adults and families, and older adults. Our mission is to provide individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities. We welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change lives.
Job Description:
We are seeking a dedicated Youth Development Specialist to join our team at Junior High School 145. The Youth Development Specialist will provide comprehensive support services to program participants, preparing them for internships and job opportunities. This includes one-on-one tutelage, vocational skills training, college awareness, post-secondary planning, and facilitating workshops for students in the Queens Community House Young Adult Borough Center/Learning To Work Program. The Youth Development Specialist reports to the YABC Program Director.
Key Responsibilities:
Conduct ongoing attendance outreach, including home and work site visits.
Counsel each student on creating and implementing a post-secondary plan for college, training, or employment within 60 days of enrollment.
Provide a minimum of two individual sessions per month for each student: one on academic progress and one on career advisement.
Conduct advisory groups by facilitating curricula and discussions on job readiness, career exploration, conflict resolution, political education, mediation, leadership, community service, youth employment, gender groups, psychoeducation, etc.
Maintain ongoing communication with parents and guardians to support positive outcomes for students and assist families with identified needs.
Maintain case files and record all student interventions weekly into Google forms.
Meet bi-weekly with the immediate supervisor, prepared with agenda items for discussion.
Facilitate communication and structured meetings between students and teachers.
Monitor academic progress and discuss grades/report cards during individual counseling sessions.
Connect students to outside resources and make appropriate referrals when needed.
Attend mandatory agency quarterly staff meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
Work collaboratively with DOE staff.
Take initiative and demonstrate flexibility in responding to school needs.
Plan and execute monthly college visits from January to June.
Follow up with students interested in college to provide additional support.
Ensure required follow-ups are made to graduates in July and February.
Begin the CUNY and FAFSA application process with each eligible student on the caseload.
Refer students to the CASP case manager if they have applied to LaGuardia, Queensborough, or Borough of Manhattan Community College as their first or second choice on their CUNY application.
Serve as the point person for the CASP Retention Specialist.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in psychology, education, social work, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with youth, preferably in a NYC high school setting.
Full-time schedule: Monday through Thursday from 1:00 PM-9:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Schedule may vary depending on school events, home visits, staff trainings, and meetings.
Computer proficiency.
What You’ll Get:
Queens Community House offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Paid Family Leave
403b Retirement Plan
Eligible for up to 27 days of annual leave (17 days in your first year) and 12 sick days
Specified Federal Holidays off
Professional development, training, and networking opportunities
Additionally, QCH supplements the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit to ensure our team members receive full pay during their approved leave.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Queens Community House, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Drug-Free Workplace.