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Youth Employment Specialist (YES)

Just A Start
Cambridge, MA
Position Summary

Are you passionate about working with opportunity youth ages 16-24 to increase their access to career and post-secondary educational (PSE) pathways? Do you enjoy learning about new and growing occupations and programs that help young people achieve their career goals ?

The YES role sits on the YouthBuild team which is one of two workforce development programs in Just A Start’s Education and Training department. Join our team of passionate youth workers committed to wrap-around supportive services, education, leadership training, and workforce development.

Program Background

Just A Start is a community development corporation dedicated to promoting equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. We build and preserve affordable housing, offer education and workforce training, and provide housing resources and services to low-to moderate-income people in Cambridge and nearby communities. Founded in 1968 as a teen summer jobs program, Just A Start has a long history of serving young people in Cambridge. YouthBuild Just A Start is a full-time, comprehensive youth workforce development program for ages 16-24 in the Boston Metro North region. As a proud affiliated member of the global YouthBuild movement, we help young people reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become community leaders. We define students by their potential, not their challenges, offering mentorship, counseling, and support. Utilizing positive youth development and trauma-informed practices, we provide wraparound services and academic and career training to out of school youth.

What You’ll Do

  • Employment and Post-Secondary Education Exploration and Placement
  • Provide high quality career/post-secondary education (PSE) counseling and activities that introduce students to promising career and PSE pathways (e.g. 1:1 coaching, field trips, job/PSE shadowing, etc).
  • Collaborate with Program Leadership to design and/or facilitate Life Skills class content that focuses on career/PSE readiness skills, workplace professionalism, career exploration, and more.
  • Support all students through resume building, job searches, creating cover letters, online job-board profile creation, FAFSA/college preparation, mock interviews, and tours.
  • Help students and graduates secure jobs and PSE placements.
  • Document and analyze workforce/PSE activities and supportive services that lead to successful placement on our internal database on Salesforce.
  • Prepare reports on career/PSE services and outcomes for crucial funder quarterly report submissions.
  • Career/PSE Pathway Research and Outreach
  • Utilize labor market information (LMI), Onet, and other workforce development tools to guide occupational research and student placement.
  • Research and develop additional credentials and certifications for introduction into the program in coordination with Program Leadership.
  • Work closely with the Director of Youth and Alumni Services and Case Managers to research and coordinate career/PSE supportive services through student success plans and progress review meetings.
  • Co-facilitate cross-team working groups that prioritize career and PSE planning efforts.
  • Research and develop career/PSE pathways that are tailored to student interests and goals.
  • Maintain a database of career/PSE partnerships, programs, and placement opportunities to support student and alumni with professional goals.

Qualifications / Keys To Success

  • 3-5 years of related professional experience working with opportunity youth (ages 16-24) and/or workforce development.
  • Experience with strengths-based, trauma-informed practices and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Experience working in post-secondary education, workforce development/career counseling.
  • Ability to work independently and on cross-functional teams to deliver high quality career counseling.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently and collaboratively prioritize and manage projects and workstreams effectively.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks, build systems, and maximize resources within and outside agency/program to achieve program outcomes.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Familiarity with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Salesforce (or other CRM) preferred.
  • Ability to occasionally work hours outside of Monday through Friday (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM).
  • A driver’s license is preferred (although not required) for recruitment/operational activities.
  • Acceptable CORI/SORI.

To Apply / What To Expect

Please submit a resume in order to be considered for the role. In lieu of a cover letter you will be asked to respond to a prompt question during the application process. Qualified candidates may expect the following interview process:

  • Step 1: 30 minute Zoom screening call
  • Step 2: 60 minute virtual interview with the Hiring Manager
  • Step 3: 60 minute in-person interview with YouthBuild participants and program directors
  • Step 4: Reference checks (3) and verification of prior employment
  • Step 5: Background check (via Chekr)

Work Requirements

This is a 37.5 hour per week in-office position.

Job Details

  • Location: 430 Rindge Ave., Suite #202, Cambridge, MA 02140
  • Work Hours: 8:00 - 4:00 PM (Monday - Friday)
  • Compensation: $60,000 – $65,000 annual salary plus benefits

Salary And Benefits

This is a 37.5 hour per week position with a salary range of $60,000 - $65,000. In addition to a competitive salary, Just A Start offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, transportation benefits, 20 PTO days in the first year, 13 paid holidays, volunteer time off, employee assistance program, and a 401k savings plan with a 3% employer contribution. Just A Start YouthBuild employees receive a minimum of $500 per year for professional/leadership development activities. In addition, Just A Start has implemented a “Find Your Joy Fridays” benefit that allows staff to leave early on Fridays at 2:00 pm.

About Just a Start

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our staff represents a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds coming together in pursuit of common goals. We value diversity and work together to create an inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive and belong. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal office conditions and classrooms. The noise level in the work environment is moderate and can occasionally be loud.
Posted 2025-09-29

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