Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Agency Information:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Protecting Kansans, Promoting Recovery and Supporting Self Sufficiency

https://www.kdads.ks.gov/

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Work Schedule: M-F/Days
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Search Keywords: Youth Engagement Specialist
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation: Up to $45,000 annually

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Youth Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and sponsoring youth activities at the state-level. This position is responsible for recruitment, retention and training needed for the expansion of the Youth Leaders in Kansas (YLinK) Program. This position supports each group through contracting, budgeting, reimbursements and training for youth and adult sponsors. This position will work with YLinK groups to ensure youth leadership, advocacy, peer support, youth-adult partnerships, and youth to adult transitional services are accessible. This position will organize and recruit participation in advocacy events held at the Capitol, CMHCs, Schools, Youth centers and local Ylink groups including Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day, Children’s Mental Health Awareness activities throughout the state and lead the planning of the Link Annual Summer Conference. YLinK is a statewide peer-run program intended to improve the lives of youth with mental health conditions in Kansas. This position will work with YLinK groups to ensure youth leadership, advocacy, peer support, youth-adult partnerships, and youth to adult transitional services are accessible.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

The Youth Engagement Specialist will provide expertise, training, technical assistance, and coaching to all YLinK sites, and community partners to promote youth engagement, leadership, activities, and youth peer support workforce development. This position is responsible for developing programs for children, youth, and young adults in Kansas. Responsible for recruiting, maintaining, and supporting new and existing groups. Recruit youth for the state-wide Youth Advisory Group. Support and organize facilities and meeting need for groups as needed, including but not limited to the State-Wide Youth Advisory Group or local Ylink groups. This position will support services and providers sustain a spectrum of effective community-based services for all youth. With a focus on supports for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED), and their families, that builds meaningful partnerships with youth and families, and addresses their cultural and linguistic needs, to help them function better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.

Represent the voice of youth who have serious mental health needs at the state-level. This position will ensure youth-driven activities occur to increase engagement in systems development and at service delivery. This would include primary and secondary prevention, suicide prevention, and community service. This position will work directly with children, youth, and young adults to ensure there is youth-voice on advisory councils and other groups, as well as support youth advisory councils statewide. Ensure there is youth involvement in the development, implementation, and evaluation of local and state initiatives. Must increase outreach efforts to youth and their families to determine satisfaction, engagement, involvement, and/or influence at the service and governance levels. Additionally, work to improve client outcomes and other identified objectives across the state. Logistic planning and support for groups to attend state Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Capital, Youth Mental Health Awareness month activities and any other activities appropriate for these groups.

Prepare, maintain, and acquire of relevant documentation, files and records, resources and training curriculum for all youth-driven activities, youth-involvement, and youth leadership opportunities. Create and provide reports or other materials, as directed, to all stakeholders. Assist with the monitoring of reports of abuse/neglect daily to ensure timely referral for review and action.

Develop necessary scopes of work, policies, procedures, and guidelines to review accountability of all contracts and/or youth groups and monitoring of budgets. Monitor and implement internal procedures to ensure fiscal integrity or program funds in compliance with regulations governing expenditures of such funds. Develop contractor reporting guidelines and monitor to ensure contract deliverables are being met.

Additional duties, as assigned. Completes special projects and performs other duties including, but not limited to, ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year experience in working with youth programs or organizations
• Proficient in Microsoft products including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Travel – 25% Daytime, 5% Overnight
• 1 year experience in organizing and planning events, trainings, or special occasions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field

• Experience in fiscal oversight and contract management.
• Experience as a youth leader with a youth-organization related to behavioral health.
• Experience in training development, policy development, and tracking project outcomes.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS – Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: 785-296-0463

Fax: 785-368-6688

Email: [email protected]

Job Application Process

• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
• First Sign in or register as a New User.

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Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
• Transcripts

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”