DEPARTMENT: Youth Programs

POSITION TITLE: Young Parents Program/WIOA Specialist

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:

LOCATION: 326 Deerfield Street, Greenfield/155 Pleasant Street, Northampton, 

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Workforce Development Program Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Young Parents Program (YPP) serves pregnant and parenting youth and young adults up to age 24 who receive public assistance through the Department of Transitional Assistance. The program uses a whole family approach, knowing that the success of the family is key. Youth receive individual case management to assist in overcoming challenges achieving their goals. Areas of focus include education and training, early education and care, and other goals identified by youth. The YPP Specialist works closely with DTA to coordinate referrals, child care and ongoing services as well as coordinating with other community providers for appropriate services for parents and children. The YPP Specialist will be fully versed in WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) program regulations and services to facilitate co-enrollment of youth when appropriate. WIOA supports participants in engaging in programming that provides opportunities to gain employment readiness skills, engage in career pathways training, enter and succeed in post-secondary education, obtain a HiSET, engage in paid internships, and address barriers that prevent achievement of educational and occupational goals.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or HiSET.
• Three years’ experience in case management, employment readiness or counseling.
• Experience working with low-income youth and young from high-risk environments and familiarity with the issues confronting this population.
• Experience working in and/or good knowledge of area businesses, organizations, and community in county of primary worksite/focus area.
• Bi-lingual/Bicultural (Spanish/English) preferred.
• CPR/First Aid (or must be obtained within three months of hire)
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for experience or additional directly related experience may be substituted for education 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide case management to approximately 15-20 Young Parents. The YPP Specialist will develop warm, respectful, and caring relationships with participants and serve as a role model. The YPP Specialist will support participants in setting goals and will provide ongoing support and links to resources to help participants reach their goals. The YPP Specialist will provide one year of follow-up services to 10 to 15 participants who have graduated from the program.
• Work with participants to complete assessments, establish, and follow service plans for eligible participants.
• Reach out to area coalitions, community businesses, schools, youth serving organizations, and other non-profit organizations, as needed, in order to coordinate services and opportunities for participants. 
• Serve as a liaison between internship site supervisors and participant interns for co enrolled YPP/WIOA youth. Coordinate workplace learning assessment and review with participants.
• Assist youth with accessing skills development and other workforce development resources.
• Assist participation, though active enrollment and the follow-up period, to enroll in and complete appropriate education and occupational training programs, and obtain and maintain employment. 
• Attend community workforce development meetings when appropriate.
• Complete all required paperwork, data collection and case records as required.
• Complete participant file updates at least weekly.  
• Complete weekly work schedule, monthly reports, and other required documents within established timelines.
• Communicate regularly and work as a team with supervisor and other staff to achieve continuous quality improvement.
• Required to travel regularly throughout the Youth Programs service area, to other Community Action sites and service locations, and occasionally out of the service area.  
• Participate in the planning, development and coordination of department activities with other Youth Programs staff.
• Follow guidelines, procedures, and policies of the program contract, of Youth Programs, and of Community Action.
• Comply with agency and funders’ paperwork requirements and procedures 
• Assist in the development of grant proposals as appropriate. 
• When working remotely, expected to be available for meetings, calls, responding to emails, and conducting regular duties. 
• Attend all required staff and team meetings, supervision, training, mandatory agency trainings, professional development activities, and contractual meetings.
• Maintains strictest confidentiality. 
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor, director or designee.

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Proficient with MS Office software, internet, and other computer use including database entry and e-mail.
• Excellent networking and outreach skills.
• Excellent verbal (in-person and phone) and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent customer service
• Self-starter with ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with youth and young adults to overcome barriers and set and achieve goals.
• Understanding of data capture and tracking methods.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse co-workers, community businesses, and organizations.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic diversity and the needs of individuals with low incomes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below 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.

• Requires sitting for long periods.
• Working in office environment.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Extensive use of telephone required.
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment includes indoor office environments or comparable spaces, and community spaces, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites. The noise level varies by site.

AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy.

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