Job Description:

Job Title: Youth Specialist

Location: Springfield, Missouri

Department: Employment Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary:
Join our compassionate and collaborative team as a Youth Specialist, where you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of current and former foster youth. In this role, you will provide essential services and financial assistance, helping youth develop the skills and resources necessary for independence and self-sufficiency. We are looking for individuals who are dedicated, empathetic, and skilled in supporting youth through their unique challenges. Your work will empower youth to achieve their goals in education, employment, and daily living.

As a Youth Specialist, you will conduct instructional and support activities tailored to each youth’s individualized plan. You will facilitate their development in areas such as career planning, job seeking, and financial management, ensuring they are equipped for a successful transition into adulthood.

The Youth Specialist position offers…

All-Inclusive Employee Benefits Package - A robust full-time employee benefits package encompassing health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, life insurance, wellness program, generous paid time off, and more

Telemedicine – 24/7 phone, web, or mobile app medical, behavioral health, & dermatology visits

Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost

Career Advancement & Wage Growth - Grow in your career with great opportunities for upward mobility and added income

Comprehensive Training - Learn and develop skills with our robust on-the-job training

Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement

Key Responsibilities:

Treat all youth, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect.

Develop and maintain a working knowledge related to serving youth and young adults, with specific expertise related to youth in foster care.

Collaborate with Family Support Teams to create and/or update plans for service using SNAP (strengths, needs, abilities, preferences) principles.

Assist youth in identifying obstacles to living independently and developing supportive social networks.

Facilitate the development of individualized service plans with each youth, contributing to the Individualized Action Plan (IAP).

Establish supportive, professional relationships with each youth assigned.

Develop strategies and lessons necessary to facilitate achievement of individualized plan goals.

Serve as a community resource specialist for youth, families, and referral sources.

Track and document expenditures, collect receipts, and solicit donations prior to making purchases.

Promote the organization and services through participation in community events and awareness activities.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate’s or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.

Experience in foster care, education, employment services, case management, social services, or other applicable vocation is preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check.

Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects.

Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.

Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Brightli is on a Mission:
Join us in our mission to change and save lives. If you are passionate about making a difference and empowering youth to achieve their goals, we encourage you to apply today!

Keywords:

Youth Specialist

Foster Care

Employment Services

Independent Living

Youth Development

Case Management

Community Resources

Financial Management

Career Planning

Social Services

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Firefly is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.