BAM – Becoming a Man – Youth Specialist – Youth Guidance – Washington, DC

Are you a caring leader? Do you believe in serving the community? Do you enjoy helping youth connect the dots of life? If so, then working as a BAM Youth Specialist at Youth Guidance might be the job for you! Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.

At Youth Guidance, we believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 today Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 11,000 youth while touching the lives of more than 14,000 youth, parents, teachers, and community members.

We are seeking motivated individuals to join our team and anchor the expansion of our work in Washington, DC. Could this person be you?

Our BAM Youth Specialist is responsible for:

Guiding young men in grades 7 – 12 to learn, internalize, and practice social skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive members of their school and community.

Our BAM Youth Specialist provides:

Young men with the mindsets, values and abilities they need to develop into healthy, responsible young men and thrive.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with BAM Program Supervisor and school administration to recruit and build relationships with up to 60 school-based youth to participate in the BAM
• Lead and facilitate 4 – 5 weekly BAM groups during the school-day, utilizing youth engagement, clinical counseling and men’s rites of passages skills.
• Provide individualized supports to all BAM participants, and provide individual, family and crisis counseling sessions to students on an as needed basis.
• Participate in monthly staff development trainings and team meetings on the evidence-based BAM curriculum and other topics relevant to working with youth.
• Participate in supervision and coaching to ensure fidelity of program delivery.
• Document all interactions with youth, including group and individual case notes, clinical assessments, brief encounters, special events, program consents, pre/post surveys and monthly program narratives based on program protocol.
• Work jointly with BAM Program Supervisor to manage an annual program budget to plan and execute field trips and special events for students throughout school year and summer.
• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and other Youth Guidance programs to provide, and participate in professional development sessions.
• Collaborate and/or coordinate services with the Local School Council, Youth Guidance Parent Family Engagement team and school parent engagement team.

Our BAM Youth Specialist has been equipped for this impactful work with at least a:

• Bachelor’s degree from an approved accredited university and minimum of two years of youth engagement experience.
• Master’s Degree in social work, counseling or a related human service field from an approved accredited university and one year of youth engagement experience preferred
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing supervised group counseling.

Our BAM Youth Specialist exemplifies:

• Communication: Able to use effective written and oral communication with internal and external audiences and stakeholders; demonstrates empathy and listening.
• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity; consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace.
• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if change is required; demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn.
• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work ensuring delivery of high-quality work.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to spend extended time on a computer in a workstation.

• The duties performed are primarily in a school setting, vaccination is required. Occasional need for local travel.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Youth Guidance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.