The D2 Center is seeking an experienced professional to join our team as a full-time Youth Academic Navigator (YAN). The individual selected must be bilingual (Spanish) and will be responsible for working with high-risk, high school-age youth as well as professionals in school districts and community-based organizations in Douglas and Sarpy County. The person will join the D2 Center team to engage disconnected youth and keep them on a pathway toward a high school diploma.
Minimum Qualifications: Fluent in spoken and written Spanish with a Bachelor’s degree and experience working with high-risk youth preferred. Candidate must have excellent communication skills, knowledge of available community and school district resources to assist youth, and possess the ability to work collaboratively and independently to achieve goals.
Availability: Position start date January 2, 2014. Full time, 40+ hours per week required. Salary ($32,000 – $40,000) and benefit package commensurate with qualifications. Benefit package will include: full medical, life, short-term disability, long-term disability, dental, vision, and paid vacations/holidays.
Please fax (402-502-8537) or email resume and three references to Greg Emmel at g.emmel@d2center.org .
D2 Center YAN– Job Description
SUMMARY:
The D2 Center YAN contacts assigned youth regularly to determine levels of engagement in academic and non-academic services, motivates the youth to remain engaged and advance toward a high school diploma, and intervenes and assists if the youth is in crisis. Bilingual skills are used to communicate with parents and assist with setting appointments, intake procedures, and translating, as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
— Coordinate services with partner agencies and D2 Center staff; prepare required reports for D2 Center directors; input contact information in nFocus TraxSolutions online case management system on a weekly basis
— Work with the D2 Center team (directors, intake specialists, career coordinator, teachers) to maximize youth engagement and progress
— Contact youth (phone, text, social media, email, in person) on at least a weekly basis to monitor and provide support for attendance, engagement, academic progress, and any nonacademic services
— Communicate with and gain the support and respect of other key adults in the youth’s life: parents or guardians, relatives, school personnel, social service or mental/behavioral health providers, juvenile justice personnel, or any other significant adult who cares about the youth and their academic success
— Assess youth problems and diagnose barriers to success on an ongoing basis; assist with identifying and connecting with resources to help overcome social, emotional, and economic needs in order to keep the youth on track for graduation
— Monitor attendance, grades, and credit completion and youth engagement in non-academic services
— Maintain positive communication with youth and adults and facilitate timely correspondence and the exchange of accurate information; attend any court proceedings, SATs, IEP meetings, or other important meetings with adults where YAN input may be important as well as YAN understanding of the circumstances affecting the youth
— Utilize school and community resources and contacts to refer qualified youth to the D2 Center
— Focus on the youth’s strengths to assist youth in developing hope, goals, and career aspirations
— Make up to a two or more year commitment to see the youth through graduation and into post-secondary education, training, or a career
— Participate in professional development activities and meetings with D2 Center staff
QUALIFICATIONS:
— BA/BS degree in related field and bilingual (Spanish)
— Demonstrated commitment, passion, and experience working with at-risk youth preferred
— Knowledge of and experience working with school and community resources to assist at-risk youth preferred
— Knowledge of and experience working with special needs populations and services including special education, English as a Second Language, juvenile justice system, social services, and behavioral health preferred
— Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
— Proficient use of Microsoft Word and Excel
— All applicants must pass a background check and be able to work with children