Director of Youth Services, Flint Memorial Library, (North Reading, MA)

Posted July 11, 2023

Reports to: Director of Public Services
Hours: 35 hours per week
Date: June 30, 2023
Salary: $60,000 -$73,000

GENERAL FUNCTION

• Appointed by the Town Administrator, and reporting to the Director of Public Services.
• Receive support from the Youth Services Committee for activities, policies, and programming.
• Director sets their 35-hour work schedule based on programs and meetings with approval of their supervisor. Generally hours fall between 10am to 8pm weekdays and occasional weekends.
• Located at the Library with considerable hours spent in middle school and high school facilities.

Youth Services’ mission is to allow for the voice of our youth to be heard in the community. The
Department strives to establish youth-driven social and experiential activities and to provide opportunities for young adults to become active members of the community. Through these programs, the Town helps to foster healthy self-images and encourage positive decision making. Given priority needs for youth in 2023, an increased emphasis will be placed on mental health promotion / primary prevention activities and programming that bolsters community supports for youth.\

As part of the Division of Public Services, the Director of Youth Services will work closely with key partners including schools, police and community impact team, library, and parks & recreation to supplement existing programs and support each other in joint initiatives.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

1. Personally deliver youth group and mental wellness programming during school and
   afterschool hours, evenings, and school/summer vacations including occasional weekends.
   Emphasis on creating a fun, stress-free environment, giving youth a sense of belonging.
2. Collaborate with other social services departments including the town’s mental health clinician
   to support and refer youth and families on a case-by-case basis with various issues including,
   but not limited to: bullying; academic and behavioral struggles; and social and emotional issues,
   at times supporting households through a crisis.
3. Advise youth-driven wellness and social service projects with groups including but not limited to
   Middle School Youth Group; and high school aged Youth Action Team.
4. Develop drop-in hours as well as specific programming for youth and guardians that build their
   internal resilience and family and friend supports. For example, offer evidence-based trainings
   such as 40 Developmental Assets, Guiding Good Choices, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
5. Foster positive self-image and resilience by facilitating Mentoring Programs in coordination with
   schools.
6. Build relationships with school-based and other professionals that result in youth referrals, and
   make concerted efforts to engage youth who are not actively connected with other social
   supports.
7. Attend/present at community meetings and events relevant to youth such as parent meetings, student performances, etc. Serve as an active participant in library programming team, school-based groups, Youth Services Committee, and the North Reading Community Impact Team.

8. Develop and implement outreach plan to develop community awareness of Youth Services and
   other important youth resources, to encourage self-referrals and family or friend referrals.
9. Provide reports and documentation to the Youth Services Committee, Public ServicesDivision,
   and Town Administrator such as tracking program participation, use of socialservice referrals,
   and maintaining master roster of program participants as needed.
10. Supervise potential interns and engage volunteers including committee members and youth in
    program leadership. Participate in collaborative grant writing and new program development to
    expand capacity over time.
11. Other duties as needed based on changing town priorities for Youth Services over time.
    

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to initiate, implement and evaluate projects such as those outlined in the“Principal Activities” section, above.
• 3+ years’ experience working directly with youth and bachelor’s degree in a field related to youth, preferably social services; OR Master’s Degree in a related field and two years of relevant work experience; OR 7+ years of relevant work experience.
• Effective interpersonal skills including ability to work with youth, parents, professionals, community members, volunteers, town departments and town boards.
• Flexibility in work schedule, ability to work night and weekend programs.
• Self-motivated; must have the ability to work independently.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; proficiency with email, internet, Facebook and other social media.
• Good driving record and valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED

• Education or licensure in social work or counseling.
• Counseling or teaching experience.
• Experience working with diverse learners.

Compensation: $60,000 – $73,000 depending on qualifications

How to Apply

Application and Resumes should be emailed to [email protected] EOE