Various Jobs, Youth Empowerment Services

Posted by on August 9, 2002

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES
Main Office:
1302 Race Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel: 215.972.0330
Fax: 215.972.2329

New Programs and Staff Positions Available

Youth Empowerment Services is starting two new and innovative programs for at-risk youth in Philadelphia, beginning September of 2002. We are currently looking for experienced, enthusiastic and creative candidates to fill positions for program director, instructors and counselors. Candidates must have a strong interest in alternative educational settings and working with at-risk youth. Masters degrees are preferred. Interested candidates should submit their resumes to YES’ main office or to dharris@yesphilly.org

NEW PROGRAMS:
Changing Tracks will be an after school center serving sixty, 14-18 year olds at high risk of truancy and delinquency. In addition to individual, family and substance abuse counseling, the center will provide academic support and skill building and offer enrichment activities that include arts and culture, life skills, recreation, and community service. Caring adults and peers will form a community that attracts youth and engages them in learning and growing. Counselors will be supervised by a licensed therapist from Shalom, Inc and by the Changing Tracks program director.

The Digital Media and Technology Project (DMTP) is designed to help older, out-of-school youth bridge the digital divide by providing hands on technical skills training in digital media and A+ technical support. Training will be integrated into project-based activities and combined with practical academics, case management, job training, internships and job placements to assist young people in reaching academic and employment goals in technology-based careers. Employers and university staff in technology-related fields will serve as an Advisory Committee to support students and the program.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Program Director – The Program Director will provide leadership and management to a project. Responsibilities include: overseeing daily program and facility operations, supervising staff, and documentation and reporting for contract management. Daily operations include recruitment, enrollment, assessment, service planning and training. The program director provides crisis management and coordinates program with YES policies and systems. The DMTP director is also responsible for development of internships and placements and for managing the Advisory Committee. Staff at each project will report to the Program Director, who will be empowered to assure coordination of services.

Instructors – Changing Tracks
Instructors will design, implement and facilitate activities. They will be responsible for developing effective educational interventions for 60 youth to support increased school attendance and improved grades, for designing activities that foster increased program participation, and coordinating activities provided by outside organizations. Instructors are responsible for assuring that activities are both appropriate and effective. Candidates must understand youth development and have experience in technology-based learning and curriculum development.

Counselors – Changing Tracks
Counselors will provide individualized and family counseling to youth at the center. Services will include at least two individual sessions per week with each youth, two home-visits to each family per month, daily informal contact, and regular check-ins with schools and other entities. Counselors will conduct assessments, develop and implement treatment plans based on these assessments. They will refer youth to intensive mental health services, inpatient care and physical health resources when necessary.

Special qualifications include: Master’s Degree in generally recognized clinical discipline including psychology, social work, nursing, counseling or a related field; experience in ethical standards in the practice of counseling or therapy; and ability to work under team supervision. Counselors assigned to clients with primary substance abuse issues must be Pennsylvania Certified Addiction Counselor or have a training plan to achieve competency in chemical dependency issues.

Academics Instructor – The Digital Media and Technology Project The academics instructor will be responsible for developing curricula and providing instruction in practical academics that includes basic academic skills and life skills and integrates elements of technology (including Microsoft Office Core competencies) and leadership activities. Basic academic and life skills include test taking strategies and content areas covered on standardized (i.e., GED) exams. The instructor will integrate academic skills with project-based activities that use multiple strategies and contexts for learning. The instructor will provide case management for up to 15 youth and participate in recruitment, enrollment, orientation, leadership activities, peer group meetings, and work with the Advisory Committee. Candidates must understand youth development and have experience in technology-based learning and curriculum development.

Technology Instructors – The Digital Media and Technology Project The digital media and A+ tech support trainers will be responsible for teaching technology skills through project-based activities, to prepare youth for internships, job placements and post secondary training. Trainers will use their contacts to help develop internships and job placements. For a culminating project, trainers will work with 60 youth to develop either multi-media materials for an organization or assemble a functioning computer lab. Instructors will provide case management for up to 15 youth and participate in recruitment, enrollment, orientation, leadership activities, peer group meetings, and work with the Advisory Committee. Candidates must understand youth development and have experience in technology-based learning and curriculum development.