Position Summary:

The Youth Outreach Specialist is responsible for identifying, engaging, and enrolling eligible youth into workforce development programs such as WIOA Youth. This role plays a critical part in increasing youth caseloads and ensuring program goals, including expenditures and enrollments, are met. The ideal candidate is passionate about connecting with opportunity youth (ages 16–24), has a strong community presence, and can build effective referral partnerships and outreach strategies in both virtual and in-person settings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct targeted outreach to recruit eligible out-of-school and in-school youth for WIOA Youth and related programs.
• Identify and attend events and locations frequented by youth (e.g., schools, shelters, justice programs, churches, community centers) to distribute program information.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community partners, schools, juvenile justice, foster care agencies, and youth-serving organizations.
• Coordinate and participate in community events, pop-up enrollments, job fairs, school visits, and virtual outreach sessions.
• Assist youth with completing interest forms, pre-applications, and scheduling intake appointments.
• Collaborate with Career Navigators and Case Managers to support enrollment follow-up, documentation collection, and referral tracking.
• Create youth-friendly marketing materials and social media content in coordination with the communications team.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, referrals, and outcomes using internal tracking tools and case management systems (e.g., TWIST, WorkInTexas).
• Monitor outreach goals to ensure alignment with caseload and program expenditure targets.
• Provide periodic reports on outreach results and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, marketing, public relations, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with youth or underserved populations, particularly ages 16–24.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to build trust and rapport with diverse youth populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community-based organizations and resources that serve youth.
• Ability to engage youth in both in-person and digital outreach environments.
• Familiarity with WIOA Youth, workforce development, or case management is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn data systems such as TWIST and WorkInTexas.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel locally.

Working Conditions:

• Regular travel to community locations and partner sites.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours required to support outreach events.
• Standard office environment with flexibility for remote engagement and fieldwork.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License and provide automobile liability insurance as required by the State of Texas.

2. Must have access to reliable transportation in order to travel within the service area.

3. Must have two (2) years of experience as an eligibility specialist or case management

Must have Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing duties of the job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; for long periods of time. Employee must be able to drive for extended periods of time. Employees must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, must be able to set up a display area.

2. WORK ENVIRONMENT : Fast-paced, demanding, physically and mentally, will be in constant communications.