NATURE OF WORK: The Youth Development Specialist works one-on-one with students of the highest needs to help youth discover their personal interests and abilities and plan for success while implementing evidence based practices to help break the cycle of violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Additional Duties may be assigned.

• Works one-on-one with high-need students to identify and explore their personal interests and abilities
• Collaborates with high-need students to develop and follow plans to achieve their academic and life goals
• Implements evidence-based practices, including dropout prevention strategies, to promote student success and break the cycle of violence
• Notes individual students’ academic and social emotional needs, as well as environmental factors affecting their development, and utilizes this information to identify appropriate programs and interventions
• Consults with parents, teachers and other school personnel, and community agencies to better understand student needs and promote students’ healthy development
• Provides appropriate and useful interventions to students to support their development
• Tracks and maintains communication with students as they progress through grade levels
• Assists in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs to identify student development needs
• Participates in professional development and continually seeks to improve professional knowledge and skills
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with students, parents, community partners, and other school staff
  
  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• School Counseling certification
• Knowledge of evidence-based violence and dropout prevention strategies