Educational & Vocational Coordinator - Memphis Allies

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

 

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org




Program Overview:
 

Memphis Allies, launched by Youth Villages, is a bold, collaborative initiative designed to reduce gun violence and build safer, stronger neighborhoods across Memphis. The program brings together community groups, organizations, and local resources to expand opportunities for adults, youth, and their families while addressing the root causes of violence.

At the heart of this effort is the Support with Intent To Create Hope (SWITCH) model—an innovative approach that combines street outreach and life coaching with intensive clinical services and case management. Through SWITCH and SWITCH Youth, Memphis Allies staff identify, connect with, and support adults (ages 19 to 30) and youth (ages 12 to 19) at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence, who may have been recently arrested, on probation, or are re-entering the community after incarceration. By meeting individuals where they are and surrounding them with consistent support, Memphis Allies is working to build stability and safety, change lives, reduce gun violence, and strengthen communities.

Position Overview:

The Educational and Vocational Coordinator works with an assigned team to help participants identify their aptitudes and obtain employment or enter college, vocational school, or a training program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Educational and Vocational Coordinator: 

• Establishes contact with employers and employment agencies and surveys job postings to locate work opportunities for participants

• Participates in training and in-service activities that bring value to the participants of the program

• Provides team members with training about job readiness, employment opportunities, and vocational and certification programs available for participants

• Assists Specialists and/or Case Managers in developing education and vocational plans for participants

• Stays up-to-date on admission requirements, financial aid requirements, and training necessary for future careers that participants might have aptitude for

• Evaluates participants’ vocational interests and aptitudes

• Acts as a liaison between schools, employers, the community, chamber of commerce, and local/state agencies concerned with education, vocation, and employment for participants

• Serves as a liaison between school, employer, and treatment team

• Prepares and delivers informational presentations as required

• Knows federal, state, and local employment rules and regulations

• Stays abreast of career and occupational resources, trends, and opportunities for participants

• Maintains resources to aid with finding potential employers, community colleges, universities, trade schools, vocational schools, certification programs, training programs, internship/externships, and/or other resources related to education or employment

• Provides regular updates in the form of oral presentation or written documents

• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of the youth, adults, and families served.

• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.

• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (preferred)

  • Degrees that can be considered include but are not limited to: Public Relations, Communications, Political Science, Education, Psychology and Social Work

• High School diploma or equivalent (required)

• Must have lived in Memphis, TN for a minimum of two years (required)

• Credibility and cultural competency (required)

• Experience in vocational and educational programming (preferred)

• Experience in curriculum and instructional facilitation (preferred)

• Proven ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with diverse groups including community members, industry employers, post-secondary institutions and stakeholders (preferred)

• Experience working with youth and families in need of crisis intervention (preferred)

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

• Basic computer knowledge

Physical Demands:

This position requires a candidate to:

• Frequently remain in stationary position for periods of time

• Drive throughout coverage region

• Regularly move throughout office to access file cabinets and office machinery

• Constantly operate a computer and other office machinery such as calculator, copy machines, and printer

• Frequently move, ascend/descend, and traverse to gain access to participants' homes

• Communicate, detect, converse with, discern, and exchange information with participants regarding their therapy and care

• Frequently need to be able to recognize, judge, and observe clients as well clients' homes regarding behavior and safety of surroundings




Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

  • 12 paid sick days per year

  • 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

• Growth & development through continuous training

• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.




Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.