Youth Development Specialist (hourly)

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are currently looking to fill hourly Youth Development Specialist roles to join our Community Schools team!

Our Community Schools operate during non-school hours and expand positive choices and opportunities for youth while achieving academic success.

SALARY: The average hourly rate for this position will fall in the range of $16.20 and $18.00. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for designing and facilitating activities that meet the diverse needs of youth clients and community needs.
• Utilizes a positive youth development and strength-based approach to empower youth, promote youth voice, and offer leadership opportunities.
• Mentors' youth to foster resiliency, positive growth, life skills, and social emotional learning. Promotes personal, social, and educational growth.
• Provides direct service to youth and adult clients (parents, guardians, community members) by creating and leading academic, recreational, and/or life skills activities.
• Services may be offered during the school day or out-of-school time.
• May contact parents/guardians to address specific needs of youth.
• Works collaboratively with team members and supervisor.
• Attends team meetings, trainings and agency wide events as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Experience working with youth, facilitating youth development or related programs.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Maintains an open minded and yes minded approach.
• Ability to see youth as experts of their lives.
• Understands a strength-based perspective.
• Ability to communicate with parents as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365/Microsoft office or the ability to learn within the first 6 months.
• Available to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings and some weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED, required.
• 3+ years youth-related experience, required.
• Bachelor's degree, preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Satisfactorily pass all screenings and criminal background checks. 

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.