Career & Youth Development Specialist

JCCA is seeking a passionate, driven, and youth-centered Career & Youth Development Specialist to empower young people in foster care as they prepare for adulthood. This role is rooted in a Positive Youth Development approach and focuses on equipping youth with the independent living, career readiness, and self-advocacy skills they need to thrive.

The Career & Youth Development Specialist partners directly with youth (ages 14+) to: Assess strengths, interests, and needs Develop individualized Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) goals Provide one-on-one coaching and group workshops Create employment, internship, and vocational opportunities Ensure compliance with PYA mandates and quality standards You will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams, external employers, workforce programs, and community partners to build meaningful pipelines to success.

Youth Development & Independent Living Facilitate PYA workshops (financial literacy, job readiness, advocacy, independent living skills) Conduct Ansell Casey assessments and NYTD surveys Coordinate independent living groups and experiential learning excursions Support youth with obtaining vital documents, bank accounts, credit checks, and DMV documentation Assist with discharge planning and transitional supports, including Medicaid documentation Career & Workforce Development Conduct career assessments and vocational planning Support resume development, mock interviews, and job applications Develop on- and off-campus employment and internship pipelines Oversee job readiness and internship programs (e.

g., YA WORC, Mentored Internship Programs) Build relationships with employers and workforce programs Support non-college-bound youth in exploring alternative career pathways Track employment persistence at 3, 6, and 12 months Collaboration & Leadership Attend Family Team Conferences (FTCs), permanency planning meetings, and vocational reviews Train agency staff on Youth Development and Independent Living curriculum Partner with LGBTQ+ organizations and other external stakeholders Ensure accurate and timely documentation in CONX, Evolve, and Fair Futures platforms Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required Minimum 2 years’ experience working with disadvantaged youth Experience in youth development, workforce development, or foster care strongly preferred Skills & Competencies Strong verbal and written communication skills Experience motivating and mentoring young people Ability to work independently and take initiative Excellent organizational and time-management skills Trauma-informed and youth-centered practice mindset Strong collaboration and relationship-building abilities Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Hours: Monday

• Thursday 10AM -6PM; Fridays - 9AM-5PM Ready to Empower the Next Generation? If you are passionate about creating opportunities, building futures, and walking alongside young people as they define their goals — apply today. Salary: $31.32 per hour ($57K annually) - differential offered for Spanish language skills