Resource Specialist

We are accepting applications from internal Youth Guidance staff at this time. Applications are due July 2, 2025. This position is funded through December 31, 2025.

About Our Organization 
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. 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 the 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 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country.  For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org.

Position Summary: The Resource Specialist is responsible for providing support to designated schools and communities by connecting assigned youth and families to community-based resources. The Resource Specialist will use results from organization-wide Needs Assessment to develop a resource list for the identified family in collaboration with the referring YG staff member.  They will also collaborate with other YG staff within designated schools to identify resources that meet group or school-wide needs and increase the reach and effectiveness of YG services.  The Resource Specialist will participate in strategizing, implementing, and evaluating the success of resource provision to YG students and families.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with community organizations that provide services to address high need issues like homelessness, food insecurity, daycare, and access to healthcare.

• Consult with Youth Guidance staff on the needs of youth/families.

• Engage caregivers by phone or in person to ensure needs are met.

• In consultation with program leaders, determine level of youth and family need through strengths-based needs assessment.

• Participate in community, family and youth focused events and activities within designated schools and communities.

• Research resources and establish professional contacts in the assigned communities.

• Complete assigned documentation and assist with program data tracking to ensure high-quality, effective service provision.

• Attend regular team meetings.

• Participate in community meetings to inform about the program, stay aware of community issues and challenges, and strengthen relationships.

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience/Training

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.

• Minimum 1 year of case management or related job experience, including internships.

• Three years of work experience in education, human service, youth development, or social service field.

Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated passion and dedication to the agency’s mission and the continuous improvement of service quality.

• Succinct and clear verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to maintain timely, accurate documentation and independently manage schedule.

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build collaborative relationships with individuals in many different settings (schools, families, other community organizations)

• Works independently and with ownership of one’s work.

• Creative, strategic, and organized thinker who can manage day-to-day tasks with an eye on long term goals.

• Demonstrates cultural competency, including understanding of effects of institutional racism and systemic oppression on marginalized populations.

• Able to creatively engage and connect with youth, caregivers, and families.

• Able to function in group and team settings with the capacity to be solution-focused, task-driven, and innovative in those settings.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Core Competencies

• Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening

• Client orientation: Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact

• 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 the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn

• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work

• Supervisory skills: Effectively manages and develops others

• Mission drive: Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

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.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public

• Occasional local travel

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on 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 fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.