Lead Support Specialist - WIOA Services

The Lead Support Specialist is responsible for using previous program support experience to identify areas for improvement and assist with special projects, and serve as a mentor and role model to Support Specialists. This position is responsible for providing program assistance, effective guidance, crisis support, and administrative support to Youth & Family Services projects. This position will assist weekly with participant engagement, resource navigation, and participant group while using appropriate research methods to conduct duties, as well as, lead group exercises, develop professional rapport with participants, and monitor participant progress throughout the duration of the program.

What a Lead Support Specialist Does...

• Provide administrative and intervention support to program staff; prepare agendas and activities for groups, assist with documentation and data collection, support various meetings and activities, facilitate groups and lead activities, provide support for the collection and analysis of data required for reporting purposes, plan, coordinate, and complete special projects as assigned
• Utilize shared life experience expertise to advocate and improve service delivery, advance program interventions, and enhance participant satisfaction
• Utilize previous program support experience to identify areas for improvement, identify and implement strategies to enhance program services, serve as a mentor and role model to Support Specialists, participate in and represent the program in community meetings
• Identify and navigate complex community resources and referral processes
• Provide mental health first aid to participants in crisis
• Facilitate and engage in recruitment, outreach, and advocacy strategies and activities
• Provide aftercare, follow-up, and stabilization support services to participants
• Maintain engaging, professional relationships with participants
• Individually meet with participants, assess the need for and provide supportive services, and apply designed curriculum as needed
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees

What We Look for in a Lead Support Specialist...

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology or a related field is preferred
• Familiar with the operations of federal grants, preferred
• Experience with Independent Living Skills issues (financial aid, college admissions, GED preparation, housing, transportation, etc.) preferred
• Experience working with young adults (ages 16-24) required
• Must have previous experience working in a program support role
• Ability to work in a very diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, culture and orientation
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with others
• Familiarity with life experiences common among the transition aged youth population preferred
• Basic computer knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness and problem solving skills and the ability to assume responsibility
• Ability to navigate community resources
• Must be an adult role model with the ability to effectively set limits and function in crisis-oriented and high stress situations
• Visual and auditory ability to observe critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation
• Ability to adequately observe participants’ activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures
• Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills
• Must have reliable transportation to travel throughout San Diego County
• Valid CA Driver's License with a good driving record and a current CDL H6 print-out (must be dated within 30 days of application) and pass a vehicle proficiency exam
• Pass pre-employment drug testing
• Negative TB test results and Health Screen clearance
• Licensing , state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Youth & Family Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• Current CPR and First Aid certification required and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute