Description
The Youth Outreach Specialist leads community-based outreach, recruitment, and eligibility intake for the IRC's Out-of-School Youth (OSY) program in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Major Responsibilities:
- Conduct sustained, community-based outreach and recruitment to identify eligible out-of-school youth
- Build and maintain referral relationships with school districts and alternative education providers, the foster care and juvenile justice systems, homeless service providers and community-based organizations
- Determine OSY eligibility, collect and verify required documentation, and complete eligibility files
- Enter and maintain accurate, timely participant data in the required state case management system and IRC program databases
- Develop and distribute outreach and recruitment materials in accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate formats
- Conduct phone outreach, and in-person meetings with youth and families to explain program services, eligibility requirements, and the enrollment process
- Track outreach activity, referral sources, and enrollment numbers against program recruitment targets and performance goals
- Represent the IRC at community events, resource fairs, school functions, and partner meetings to promote the OSY program and maintain IRC's visibility as a youth service provider
Key Working Relationships:
- Position Reports to: Workforce Development Supervisor
- Internal Contacts: Economic Empowerment team, IRC Oakland team
- External Contacts: Local Workforce Development Board staff, school districts and alternative education programs, foster care and juvenile justice agencies, homeless service providers, and community-based organizations
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in social work, education, human services, or a related field preferred
- At least 1–2 years of experience in outreach, recruitment, case management, or youth-serving work
- Knowledge of Out-of-School Youth eligibility criteria or ability to learn program regulations and local workforce board policy quickly
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with youth facing barriers and with their families and caregivers as well as external partners
- Strong attention to detail for eligibility documentation, case file compliance, and data entry into state and program case management systems
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with a state workforce case management system (e.g. CalJOBS) a plus
- Fluency in English required; proficiency in one or more languages spoken by the local client population strongly preferred (e.g. Spanish, Dari)
- Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally to conduct outreach, recruitment, and home visits
Compensation: ($26-$27/hour)
Benefits:
- 10 paid sick leave
- 10 U.S. holidays
- 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure
- Medical insurance starting at $163/month
- Dental starting at $6.50/month
- Vision starting at $5/month
- Flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter)
- A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting)
- Disability and life insurance
- An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families