Youth Engagement Specialist - DFCS

This posting covers Santa Clara County. The location shown is the county; the work may be anywhere in it.

Description

Under general supervision, to engage and provide peer-to-peer outreach support services to emancipated foster youth and to assist in the program operations of the Hub Youth Resource/Community Center.

Typical Tasks

• Conducts outreach to educate community partners and foster care youth about Center services and resources available, including center tours, public presentations, or guest speaking engagements;
• Acts as a peer mentor for former and current foster care youth who visit the Center, by providing and directing them to available resources and information;
• Assists youth in utilizing Center resources such as computers, information boards, copiers, printers, and other onsite services;
• Provides customer service to visitors, callers and answering questions and directing them to appropriate resources and services;
• Maintains onsite resources which may include the HubMart, donations, and literature;
• Assists with planning and implementing events, outings, and programs for former and current foster youth including creating event flyers, programs, and scripts;
• Schedules and reserves rooms for events, meetings, and conferences onsite;
• Prepares and sets up meeting rooms for conferences;
• Ensures that the community/resource center is organized and presentable at all times;
• May be assigned as Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are acquired through lived experience as a dependent of the foster care system,

 AND

Six (6) months experience providing outreach and peer support to emancipated foster youth.

Knowledge of:

• Foster youth culture and experience;
• Local resources for current and former foster youth;
• Basic youth engagement strategies;
• Common computer applications;
• Basic office practices and procedures;
• Procedures and etiquette greeting visitors and answering telephones;
• General English usage including grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively in providing information and assisting callers and visitors;
• Effectively engage and interact with current and former foster youth;
• Understand, empathize, and identify with the experience of youth currently or formerly in the foster care system;
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the youth, community partners, internal staff, and other stakeholders;
• Prepare and demonstrate effective public presentations:
• Use a computer and basic applications;
• Follow and understand oral and written instructions.

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for County of Santa Clara is Philip Downs.