Lead Youth Advocate

Job Description:

Title: Lead Youth Advocate

Salary: $50,000 plus benefits

Classification: Exempt

Scope of Position

The Youth Navigator oversees three (3) Youth Advocates to ensure youth participants are connected to education, training, and employment opportunities. The Youth Navigator also provides comprehensive guidance and case management to youth in Capital Area while also conducting employer outreach and business development to create employment, Work Experience, and On‑the‑Job Training opportunities. This role combines staff supervision with direct services and employer engagement to develop quality job sites and work-based learning experiences.

Essential Functions

Leadership and Participant Support

• Supervise and support Youth Advocates to ensure performance goals and program outcomes are met.
• Facilitate regular team meetings, provide coaching, and monitor case management and employer engagement activities.
• Collaborate with leadership to implement strategies that increase youth engagement, work-based learning opportunities, and training access.
• Conduct weekly meetings with Youth Advocates to review case loads
• Conduct bi-weekly audits of case notes and data in NC Works.

• Monitor progress toward performance goals and provide regular updates to leadership
• Manage an active caseload of youth participants, providing individualized guidance, counseling, and holistic support.
• Provide referrals to training providers, community partners, and supportive services as appropriate.
• Conduct community outreach to recruit eligible youth and maintain program visibility.

Business Development & Employer Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with local employers to develop job placements, Work Experience sites, and OJT opportunities.
• Conduct employer outreach via phone, email, and in‑person visits; schedule and complete face‑to‑face meetings.
• Create and submit job orders, monitor employer activity, and ensure alignment with participant needs.
• Educate employers on program services, requirements, and available supports.
• Provide technical assistance to employers on database systems and documentation requirements.
• Represent the program at Chamber of Commerce events, business networking functions, conferences, and community meetings.
• Provide regular progress reports on employer engagement, job development activities, and placement outcomes.
• Ensure all participant and employer documentation is accurate, complete, and entered into required systems.
• Follow up with employers and internal staff to ensure expectations are met and placements are successful.
• Maintain strong knowledge of local labor market trends to inform job development and participant coaching.
• Travel as required (up to 75%).
• Other opportunities as available.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience working with disconnected or at‑risk youth preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in human services, workforce development, training, teaching, customer service, marketing, or sales.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with diverse populations and employer partners.
• Comfortable presenting to groups and engaging with business leaders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team‑oriented environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort with data systems.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation required.

EDSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.