Connector Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Starting Salary Range:$43,000 - $46,500

Agape has a current opening for aTeamWorks Career Services Youth Connector.As a poverty-reduction initiative, Agape, through its place-based strategy, implements a Two-Generation paradigm. The Career Services Youth Connector works within identified high schools and communities. The Career Services Youth Connector develops relationships with youth and young adults, providing meaningful conversation, resources, and instruction. The Youth Connector will build relationships with the clients on their caseload, and in some cases the parents or guardians, the school faculty and administration, and the community. The Youth Connector is responsible for creating an engaging and safe environment for youth and young adults to explore their personalities, future career pathway goals, training needs, and college interests. The Youth Connector is responsible for assessing the students, young adults, and their family's needs to make appropriate referrals for both the student and family. The Career Services Youth Connector will utilize the agency's case management system, Penelope, and the VOS system to track client eligibility, suitability, and progress and gains with post-secondary opportunities. Career Services Youth Connectors facilitate efforts to address employment, education/training, and additional post-secondary opportunities. The Connectors ensure program quality, transparency, and accurate reporting.

This role is 100% on-site, and the Connector is expected to work at their assigned location. The client caseload for this Youth Connector role may be higher than other Connector roles within the organization. This role's work hours and holidays may differ from other Connector roles within the organization.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct and update individual/family needs assessment with each family's participation to develop an individualized service plan for the appropriate family involved, noting needed, desired, and requested services and resources.
• Provide two-generational, family-driven, and strength-based services to youth and families who require particular resources and assistance.
• Focus on specific programmatic obligations, goals, and objectives, align with the voice and choice of families (social, economic, post-secondary goals, and training).
• Arrange, coordinate, and monitor services related to meeting the needs of program participants to ensure stability and individual/family goal attainment as related to:

1. Delivery of pre and post-assessments
2. Dealing with family crises as they arise
3. Identifying additional needs of caseload families and making appropriate internal and external referrals

• Coordinate events and activities onsite for program participants to encourage stability and individual/family goal attainment.Work in partnership with all departments and other agencies collaborating with Agape Child & Family Services.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to youth, young adults, and families based on various requirements and provide necessary data to Agape and partnering agencies, if agreed upon, for input into the appropriate data systems.
• Agape is a data-informed agency. The Career Services Youth Connector must accurately record data based on program standards and use data for continuous quality improvement.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, which would allow for needed interaction and involvement for the tasks of this position, i.e., weekend and evening hours, etc.
• Complete internal reports and provide information concerning stability.
• Attend and represent Agape in appropriate meetings and training with other agencies.
• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and other in-service training the agency provides.
• Attend regular supervisory and team meetings.
• Serve as an advocate for Agape Child & Family Services and the communities we serve.
• Maintain positive and effective relationships and communication with Agape staff.
• Will perform all other duties within the general scope of this position as requested by the direct supervisor, Director of TeamWorks, or other members of Agape Leadership.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and timely reports for case records according to Agape procedures and grant standards through data entry into Agape's preferred data collection system and documentation in all required areas.
• Be prompt in initiating and replying to all correspondence and inquiries.
• Submit timely reports of all referrals to the Supervisor.
• Provide and use all the necessary required data for evaluation purposes.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with stakeholders (internal and external) and those we serve in the community.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and approved and planned relevant workshops, seminars, and training events.
• Participate in other Agency functions, i.e., community awareness events, advocacy activities, etc.
• Participate in agency planning and development, especially specific to programmatic-related areas.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Prolonged walking, standing, and climbing stairs within schools and community sites as well as workshops and other events.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time.

Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and the experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position with at least 2 years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate must have proven experience in workforce development and the workforce ecosystem, including the ability to identify talent needs and connect job seekers with in-demand job opportunities and post-secondary opportunities, including colleges and universities. Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people, especially teenagers and young adults, and provide culturally competent service delivery and a passion for helping others. Proven ability to facilitate engaging group instruction. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications essential to this position. Experience using a case management system to enter case notes, track client information, and monitor performance; specific experience with Penelope and VOS is a plus. Should possess outstanding organizational and time management skills and have proven problem-solving and self-starter ability. Understanding of data collection procedures and the aptitude for using data to inform decisions and processes. Must have an automobile available for business use and maintain a current driver's license and current auto insurance with acceptable levels of coverage. Will be required to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. Candidate must be willing to engage in Agape's Performance Quality and Improvement (also known as Continuous Quality Improvement) standards of quality & excellence.