Youth Development Specialist - Bridge To Wellness in Gaithersburg, Maryland at Identity, Inc.

Position Title: Youth Development Specialist – Bridge to Wellness

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Budget Responsibilities: None

Reports To: Senior Program Manager

FLSA Classification: Non – Exempt

Date: July 1, 2025 - (Latest Version)

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking passionate and committed candidates to fill four (4) open positions located across the following high school sites:

• Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
• Clarksburg High School
• Magruder High School
• Albert Einstein High School

The Youth Development Specialist is a key member of the Identity, Inc. team, dedicated to advancing the social-emotional development, mental wellness, and overall resilience of youth. Grounded in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, this role delivers both individual and group-based services that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in the lived experiences of the students and their communities.

Through creative, engaging, and relationship-centered approaches, the specialist helps young people strengthen protective factors, build life skills, and develop a strong sense of self and belonging. By honoring youth identities and amplifying their strengths, the Youth Development Specialist empowers students to navigate challenges, foster meaningful connections, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Recruit and Retain Youth: Actively recruit and engage eligible youth in lunchtime and after-school programs, ensuring consistent participation and meaningful involvement.
2. Facilitate Enriching Activities: Plan and lead engaging activities that foster positive social interactions, emotional well-being, and overall mental wellness.
3. Provide Individual Support: Meet regularly with youth to offer mentoring, coaching, advocacy, and support, with the goal of building strong, trusting, and lasting relationships.
4. Teach Life and Social Skills: Facilitate sessions that promote social-emotional development, including lessons on communication, coping strategies, healthy relationships, leadership, and life skills.
5. Organize Recreational Programming: Design and implement creative recreational and enrichment activities—such as sports, arts, gardening, and games—that promote physical health, creativity, and community building.
6. Lead Service-Learning Projects: Coordinate community service initiatives where students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours while developing civic engagement and teamwork skills.
7. Develop Individualized Plans: Create individualized service plans for each youth using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) to guide personal growth and progress.
8. Document Program Outcomes: Prepare accurate and timely monthly and quarterly reports detailing services provided, youth participation, and program outcomes.
9. Maintain Comprehensive Records: Keep up to date, organized physical and electronic case files for all participants, including required forms, releases, surveys, and documentation of services.
10. Collaborate with Schools: Build and maintain strong partnerships with school administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff to support youth referrals and program alignment with school needs.
11. Engage in Ongoing Learning: Attend and actively participate in required trainings, team meetings, and presentations to enhance professional growth and service delivery.
12. Ensure Youth Safety: Respond appropriately and effectively to emergencies and situations that may impact youth safety or security, following all protocols.
13. Uphold Organizational Mission: Demonstrate commitment to Identity’s mission and values in all work, promoting equity, dignity, and opportunity for every young person served.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education and Experience: bachelor's - degree in education, psychology, social work, behavioral health, or a related field preferred or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Knowledge Base: Familiarity with core frameworks such as Positive Youth Development (PYD), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and the Stages of Change model.
• Experience Working with Youth:1-3 years of experience delivering youth development programming or working with adolescents in school, community-based, or mentoring environments.
• Background Clearance Requirements: Must successfully pass a federal criminal background check and a Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bilingual proficiency preferred, especially in Spanish and English.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license are required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and experience with database management systems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences and deliver professional public presentations.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, youth-centered environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Requires travel between sites.
• Able to work a flexible 40-hour work week including after school and weekend hours.
• Semi-private office or open work area; easily interrupted with external noise; and controlled air temperature.