YouthBuild programs provide pathways for youth and young adults who are out-of-school and out of work to a living wage job. All over the world, YouthBuild programs unleash the positive energy of low-income young people to rebuild their communities and their lives, breaking the cycle of poverty with a commitment to work, education, family, and community. The YouthBuild Evansville program will work to enroll and graduate students (ages 16-24) from high school equivalency and non-credit courses in Building Construction, HVAC, and Nurse Aide with a goal of continuing their pathways into curriculum programs.

The YouthBuild program engages out-of-school, low-income youth ages 16-24 and provides alternative education and employment pathway that enables participants to obtain a high school equivalency diploma, advance toward post-secondary education or career-oriented employment, and take responsibility for their families and communities. This position requires one full year of graduate follow-up services to students once they exit the program. This position will report to the YouthBuild Program Manager.

SUMMARY

The Job Developer/Placement Specialist will work closely with the Program Manager to provide one-on-one and small group supportive services to at-risk and transition-age youth/young adults who are preparing to join the workforce. The YouthBuild Job Developer will assess employment readiness, identify employment skills barriers, develop an Individual Service Plan for employment to address those barriers, and coordinate services to help youth/young adults prepare for and secure living-wage jobs with a career path upon completion of the YouthBuild Program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Develop, implement, and teach soft skills including solid work ethic, time management, positive attitude, good communication, problem solving and analytical skills.

Plan, organize and teach job readiness skills including interviewing, resume preparation, appropriate dress clothes, and other skills.

Set up career exploration workshops and motivation activities; identify and arrange for guest speakers, site visits, job shadow experiences, and informational interviews.

Analyze job tasks and break down into specific steps to facilitate learning. Cultivate existing relationships with employers, workforce development centers and training programs.

Develop a relationship with students, including an understanding of their outside supports to assess their job and career goals and immediate needs.

Implement a person-centered employment/vocational plan.

Oversee an internship program for students and graduates.

Provide a Career assessment for students during orientation and mid-year to ensure they are prepared before going to job interviews. Also, conduct follow-up assessments.

Implement a systematic placement effort, working with local education and training institutions, businesses, and other entities that provide post-program opportunities for participants.

Serve as a liaison between the student and employer and facilitate appropriate worker to

supervisor relationships.

Provide consistent follow-up services during the initial 30 days of job placement and up to 6- months to ensure employment success.

Analyze job tasks and break down into specific steps to facilitate learning.

Develop job surveys for employers and participants.

Develop and maintain a career portfolio for each participant and alumni of the program.

Identify and expose youth to cultural and social events or activities that may take place after work hours and organize youth participations.

Keep accurate records and frequently, enter and update data into required database systems.

Attend YouthBuild staff meetings, events, and other activities.

Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR CERTIFICATION

Bachelor’s Degree in education, social sciences, business, or related field.

Three to five years’ experience in job/career development and placement.

Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge of construction industry, and major private and public employers.

Understanding of the apprenticeships system in the construction trades.

Strong interpersonal, marketing/sales and communication skills.

Excellent presentation skills with the ability to persuasively present program and participants.

Experience in planning and conducting training sessions or workshops.

Ability to establish a rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of young people.

Excellent public speaking, listening and written communication skills.

Organized, capable of handling multiple requests and task, detail oriented, excellent at follow-through and ability to meet deadlines.

High energy and motivation to help young adults succeed.

Willingness to learn from young people and ability to work as part of a team.

Friendly, approachable attitude; seeks to nurture relationships with students, staff and community members.

Strong technology skills including computer hardware, Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, Desktop Publishing, and Social Networking.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

COMPUTER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have average abilities using computer software such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and should be capable of using internet resources for research and developing reports. Proficient in operating and troubleshooting personal and laptop computers. Ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

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.

The employee’s job is intermittently sedentary. Will use some repetitive motion of hand-wrist in using computers. Must have a normal range of vision to complete paperwork and review documentation; hearing and speech to communicate with executives, employees, co-workers, vendors, contractors, agency/company representatives, etc., on the telephone and/or in person on a frequent basis. Work involves the normal risks or discomforts associated with an office environment. Possibility of violent behavior from program candidates/clients and angry and disgruntled past and present clients.

This is a grant-funded position. Should the grant funding cease at any time, the position will be eliminated.