About the role
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
