Service Specialist

Job Summary

The Service Specialist has two primary roles within LYNC, Resource Specialist and Intervention Specialist. As such, the Service Specialist spends time in the catchment area communities connecting to community resources and building and maintaining relationships with community providers. The Service Specialist also facilitates cognitive-behavioral groups and Life Skills group to LYNC youth. They work closely with the LYNC Family Advocate in identifying resources available to youth and families in a particular town. The Service Specialist is knowledgeable about both community services and how a family can access them.

Service Specialists may also be asked to provide educational and vocational supports including individual tutoring, life skills and employment groups; assist youth with career exploration, job seeking, etc.; work closely with local Boards of Education to support youth’s academic success, credit recovery and reduce truancy. Also connect youth to education and/or vocational programs that will help them achieve their goals. Develop relationships with targeted community organizations to support youth educational and vocational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and maintain up-to-date information on community resources.
• Develop and sustain relationships with identified MOU agencies.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with a variety of community organizations, groups and entities (e.g., grassroots agencies, pro-social connections, mental or medical health services, etc.).
• Implement educational and vocational services to youth according to individual Risk Reduction and Sustainability Plans (RRSP), which may include: educational screening, homework assistance, tutoring, credit recovery, GED assistance, connection to ESL services, post high school preparation or exploration, vocational soft skills (use of EMPLOY Curriculum), job placement, connecting to training opportunities and apprenticeships, and other similar services.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with community providers.
• Maintain an accurate resource catalog on each town in the catchment area.
• Demonstrate ability to be creative, innovative, and resourceful.
• Assist Family Advocate in identifying available resources for LYNC youth and families.
• Attend all required trainings and meetings as needed to meet the requirements of the position.
• Facilitate cognitive-behavioral groups according to each model.
• Participate in all quality assurance activities, including recording groups and submitting tapes to QA Coach.
• Engage in strength-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed and gender responsive interactions with youth and families.
• Uphold all program expectations.
• Promote a safe, welcoming environment with a focus on risk reduction and positive behavior change.
• Accept and perform all new assignments as determined by supervisor.
• Immediately notify supervisor of any situation in which a youth may be at risk (i.e. physical abuse, sexual abuse, chronic neglect, unsafe home, etc.) and/or other sentinel event.
• Complete all required program and agency web and paper-based documentation.
• Serve as a resource to Juvenile Probation Officers who are seeking community resources in a specific community.
• Maintain confidentiality of clients at all times.
• Assist with transportation as needed.

Experience and Skills

Education

• Minimum of Associate’s Degree in criminal justice, community organizing, human services sociology, OR High School Diploma with at least three (3) years’ experience and knowledge working with juvenile justice system and/or working in communities.

Experience

• Must be culturally competent; bicultural, bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Must have current valid state issued Driver License. Must have own vehicle.
• Must have automotive liability insurance per agency standards.
• Organized and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be a team player.
• Flexible and able to multi-task.
• Cultural competency to serve diverse populations.
• Knowledge of greater Hartford and New Britain area community resources.
• Experience with facilitating groups to youth.
• Excellent oral and written skills and ability to engage families from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds.
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows XP environment.
• May require weekend and evening hours.
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.