WHO WE ARE

Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has been committed to helping San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth ages 12-24 moves beyond street life. This commitment has fueled the development of a comprehensive continuum of services that is nationally recognized as a model of innovative and effective care. We offer stability, safety, and the opportunity for a better life.

Larkin Street’s continuum provides a range of housing options—from immediate emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing—in addition to essential wraparound services that offer kids the resources and skills they need to exit street life. Supportive services include education, technology and employment training; healthcare, including mental health, substance abuse, and HIV services; and case management.

Our success rate in helping kids get off the street for good testifies to a simple truth: Given safety, shelter, compassion, guidance, and enough positive options, kids can find their own solutions. We believe all youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and contribute their best to the world.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary role of the Employment Placement Specialists is:
• To identify, assess, enroll and case manages youth in the Youth Employment Services Program.
• Cultivate employment opportunities and place youth in positions appropriate to their skills.
• To develop and maintain ongoing relationships with employers.
• To assist in the design and creation of promotional materials for the program
• Collaborate with clients’ housing case managers, counselors, job coaches, and mentors to facilitate client success in the workplace.
• Assist youth in development and implementation of career track advancement plans.
• Support the youth in their ongoing educational pursuits, supporting the Education department by performing education assessments as part of the enrollment process into the program and making referrals to the education program that best meets the youth’s needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in active employer outreach/marketing to develop short-term labor, paid internships, job shadowing opportunities, and permanent employment for youth.
• Maintain current listings of job openings and educational opportunities at each program site.
• Provide employment case management to youth enrolled in the Workforce Development programs. Keep up to date information on the JOB Market in the Bay area.
• Develop on going employment work plan with clear graduated goals toward youth employment needs as well a career exploration sessions.
• Maintain database and case files of active client’s progress as they move through the program.
• Assist clients in job searching, securing and retaining employment.
• Support youth in participating in Larkin Streets continuum of services including but not limited to housing, medical, and educational needs as identified by youth.
• Facilitate weekly Employment groups for enrolled youth.
• Provide counseling and services to assist youth in job retention and career advancement.
• Track clients progress in the workplace through regular communication with employment supervisors and maintain up-to-date records of job retention.
• Implement relationship-building strategies with employers including presentations, special events, employer acknowledgement, and networking.
• Assist in the design of promotional materials (monthly calendar, fliers, brochures, etc.) targeting potential employers, homeless youth, and social service agencies.
• Meet regularly with client’s housing case manager/advocate to discuss client progress.
• Fulfill reporting requirements weekly and monthly as designated by Manager of Workforce Development.
• Provide additional support to colleagues in Employment / Education Service Departments as needed.

CHARACTERISTICS

Candidates applying for this position will possess:
• Extreme passion for our agency’s mission in maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude
• Exceptional organizational skills with reliability and consistency in work performance
• Flexibility with a team player mentality
• Ability to work with minimal to moderate supervision
• An extreme focus on good judgment with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor with great interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to multi-task with the capability to learn quickly and integrate efficiently

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Perform tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the requirements of this job description.
• Maintain a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Maintain an awareness of the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of staff and to the youth in which we serve.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Maintaining the strictest of confidentiality.
• Ability to work with a diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.


SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Ability to speak in front of large groups of individuals
• Ability to multi-task and efficiently manage priority action items
• Excellent Customer Service skills
• Be able to work with minimal supervision.



QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Business administration or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Three to Four (3-4) years of progressive experience in workforce development or related discipline.
• Experience working with adolescents as a vocational counselor/ job developer or in the field of public relations Experience in working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment. Highly desired.
• Must also have ability to work with high-risk youth and with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Experience working with youth is highly desired, especially at-risk, homeless or runaway youth.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter and resume to employment@larkinstreetyouth.org then in the Subject Box please indicate the position to which you are applying.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.