ILSP Specialist - Full-time

POSITION SUMMARY: The ILSP Specialist, provides targeted educational and employment support to current and former foster care youth in the Solano ILSP program in addition to providing key data entry, clerical, programmatic, and operations support to the Solano Independent Living Skills Program of First Place for Youth by enrolling youth into the ILSP program. This position will support youth to identify and work toward educational and employment goals that support their long term permanency as well as ensuring all office operations are working accurately and efficiently. This post will provide light touch and intensive education services, case coordinate with external providers, link youth to community resources, and act as an advocate and resource in all youth services towards their education and employment goals. The ILSP Specialist will facilitate and coordinate all intakes and enrollments for ILSP and support client in connecting them to adequate and client center services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Operations

Education

• Assess educational status and interests of youth participants.
• Develop and maintain relationships with high schools, GED services, colleges, and vocational schools.
• Counsel youth participants on available financial aid and assist them in the application process.
• Interface with special education departments and staff, support IEP meetings for youth.
• Lead workshops for youth participants on education-related topics.
• Work with external service providers to ensure youth develop and maintain their educational plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Case Coordination:

• Coordinate education services with external services providers where youth are housed.
• Identify and advocate for services that youth need in order to reach their goals.
• Provide crisis service resource and referral for homeless and runaway youth as needed.
• Leverage external provider support to ensure youth receive essential services and resources.
• Build strong partner relationships with county social workers, group homes, TLPs, and other key community resources for in-care and out of care youth.
• Ensure youth are meeting Action Plan goals with respect to education.
• Enter all data on time and correctly to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department.
• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Solano ILSP Manager.
• Enter data into CTK (Apricot Data Base)
• Attend GOALS meetings as needed to discuss ILSP service to youth and providers in collaborate manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Intake and Enrollment/Admin Responsibilities:

• Complete intake assessments with new referred youth to ILSP to ensure services can be delivering on a timely manner.
• Participate in the youth intake process; conduct initial youth assessments; support initial youth entrance treatment/service plans.
• Confirm eligibility of potential participants for ILSP services.
• Collaborate and maintain consistent communication with County Social Workers and Probation Officers to complete all documentation accurately and thoroughly to ensure youth are timely served into ILSP program.
• Ensure youth and their social workers/PO’s attend the meeting and are clear about the process and requirements for ILSP services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master's degree is a social work or education related field preferred.
• Three years of experience working with at-risk youth in an employment and educational context, preferably current and former foster youth.
• Excellent knowledge of education for youth in Solano County.
• General knowledge of the issues facing transition age foster youth.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred but not required)
• General knowledge of the issues facing transitioning foster youth
• Computer Skills – Proficiency with current MS Office suite applications including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systems.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings
• A dependable car, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance are preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word and Excel, outlook and PowerPoint
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Excellent communications skills, professional demeanor, sound judgement, and strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to work collaboratively; capacity to work independently.
• Must be able to pass Community Care Licensing background check.
• Must work onsite at the SF ILSP Center as required by the contract
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.
• Commitment to cultural competency and diversity – Deep commitment to social justice and systems change that addresses barriers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity

BENEFITS

• Full-time position
• 15 days of vacation time in year one
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 flexible holidays
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place
• Delta Dental Premium PPO
• VSP Vision
• 401k Retirement Savings with Match

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.