Future Focus Specialist - Good Shepherd Services

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time) 
• Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule when program need allows

As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the Time Limited Rental Assistance Future Focus Specialist works with up to 31 program participants ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness who are preparing to transition to permanent housing in the community, while gaining job training, employment, and educational and life-skills competencies.  The Future Focus Specialist works from a strength-based; trauma-informed perspective with each program participant, while building on their personal interests, and skills. The FFS establishes networking relationships with individuals and institutions providing educational and vocational support services.

Reports to:                TLRA Program Director

Primary Location:     1995 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY 10453 (& NYC/Citywide Area)

Hours:                        35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt 

Salary:                        $50,000 to $55,000

Major Duties:

• Work 1:1 with program participants to develop academic and career development goals based on assessments that outlines their interests and strengths allowing them to take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Connect program participants to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Connect participants to peer group supports that aligns with their goals/needs.
• Help program participants navigate any challenges that arise while celebrating successes.
• Should a program participant not be successful in any school/program setting, the FFS will work with them to set new goals and transition to the next opportunity.
• Facilitate/Co-facilitate workshops on a variety of topics related to employment, education, and life skills.
• Collaborate with Case Managers, Housing Navigators, and Clinical Social Worker.
• Attend and participate in GSS meetings and trainings as directed, as well as any external meetings/training.
• Responsible for documenting services/contacts on the GSS program database and other such city databases, as well as additional specific documentation in a timely manner.
• Promote and model the 7 Sanctuary Model commitments and the SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss, Future) Model into daily practice to create a non-violent and trauma informed culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational Duties:

• Re-engage disconnected program participants and help them re-enroll in an academic setting based on individual goal.
• Assess the fit between the program participant and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit program, if needed.
• Review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress toward educational goal
• Ensure participants have the supports, resources and accommodations they need to be successful.
• Expose participants to post-secondary pathways.
• Assist with post-secondary planning, assisting with college applications, opportunity programs, and all forms of financial aid, funding, and scholarships.
• Provide college persistence coaching, including ensuring participants are receiving all of the financial and academic supports they need to succeed each semester.
• Collaborate with all relevant partners.

Career Development Duties:

• Assist in selecting career development experience that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
• Identify potential longer-term career pathways based on the program participant’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans.
• Connect to workforce development programs, internship programs, vocational programs, and aid with job applications.
• Provide consistent coaching to participants enrolled in any external program.

Housing and Independent Living Duties:

• Ensure the program participant coordinates with a Housing Navigator and/or Case Manager, to ensure that housing applications are submitted timely.
• Coordinate with Housing Navigator and/or Case Manager to assist young people in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing by developing their life skills in areas such as budgeting, obtaining a bank account, and advocating with landlords.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with two years of experience working with at-risk youth.
• Must have a clear understanding of the needs of young adults experiencing homelessness and a sensitivity to ethnic and cultural differences, and an understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ community.
• Knowledge of the NYC Dept. of Education, College and Financial Aid Application processes.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners.
• Ability to use motivational interviewing and trauma-informed techniques.
• Knowledge of databases and computer programs such as Microsoft Word Office and Excel.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based, trauma informed, and youth & family development perspective.
• Flexible hours to insure access and availability.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.