The AFFCF Keys to Success (KTS) program was established to help youth who are aging out of the foster care system receive the career, education and employment services they need to achieve personal and financial stability. The following responsibilities are representative, but not all inclusive, of the job functions required for this role.

Job Responsibilities

• Engage youth and establish trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward helping them think about short and long-term employment goals, develop work readiness skills and identify strengths, barriers and other factors that impace and enhance employability
• Meet individually in the community with all youth assigned to caseload to conduct work readiness services and provide job search assistance
• Assist youth as needed with collection of work documents (birth certificate, social security card and photo ID)
• Create an employment development plan with each youth that incorporates use of multiple resources
• Assist youth with access to support services to secure and retain employment (transportation, clothing, tools, certifications, etc.)
• Connect youth to community partners that offer employment development services (as needed)
• Develop a follow-up plan to provide job rentention coaching, such as further skill development and workplace expectations and behaviors; as appropriate, coordinate these efforts with partnering businesses and company managers
• Deliver financial literacy training to youth and assist them in setting up banking accounts
• Assist with development of an Individual Service Plan (ISP) used for identifying, tracking and reporting on achievement of career goals related to work experience and/or employment
• Enter data regarding youth employment and placement in the KTS database
• Update notes regularly in KTS database to document work with youth
• Spend at least 75% or more of total scheduled work hours in the community (e.g. meets with youth in community settings and develops relationships with managers at their businesses)
• Maintain ongoing communication with employer partners to address any issues with current youth at the site and identify qualified candidates for available positions
• Work with the KTS program director to develop and implement an annual employment development plan that outlines goals, strategies and action steps for employer engagement
• Document all youth and employer contacts made and maintain files in the  KTS database
• Attend mandatory monthly staff meetings to assist with the ongoing development of the overall program
• Attends other meetings with KTS team members and program director as needed to plan, coordinate and implement services

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or human services or related field or a minimum of five (5) years of experience
• Minimum of one (1) year of previous employment development experience preferred
• MUST reside in Phoenix or the West Valley and be willing and able to travel throughout the region to deliver services
• MUST have a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card or the ability to acquire one at time of hire
• MUST have a clean driving record

Competencies

• Excellent time and task management skills
• Team player
• Experience in dealing with clients possessing multiple barriers to employment preferred
• Ability to advocate for the interests of clients and navigate complex sysstems

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Mileage reimbursement at 65.5 cents per mile
• Generous paid time off (PTO), healthcare, vision and dental benefits
• 401k matching plan
• Term-life insurance
• Flexible schedule

Equaly Employment Employer

AFFCF is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Please submit resumes to talent@affcf.org for consideration; include in your subject line “Employment Development Specialist.”