Job Description

Description :
Department: Family Intervention Services
Position Title: Youth Development Specialist
Imua Kakou Higher, Education Independent Living Skills Program
Kona/West Hawaii
Supervisor: Program Coordinator
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Date: Aug 2025
General Statement: The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is a spiritual regeneration of all people.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
JOB SUMMARY: The Youth Development Specialist (YDS), is a Full time 40 hours a week non-exempt position, that provides Imua Kakou (IK) Independent Living Skills program (ILSP) and Higher Education (HD) services for youth transitioning through the foster care system. The position is based out of West Hawaii but provides services to youths throughout the entire Hawaii Island, primarily through tele video technology and other media formats. The YDS performs the essential functions as indicated in this job description and is supervised by the Program Coordinator.
Unit Mission Statement:
"To provide youth with skills for a healthy life, and instill purpose, hope and vision to youth and their families."

• ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• BA degree in human service or related field and two-year job-related experience, or A.S. degree in Human Services or related field with four years job related experience, or combination of education and experience to meet position requirements.
• Valid Hawaii driver's license.
• Valid TB clearance and Pre-Employment Medical Clearance
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• DHS FBI/Criminal History & CAN, and Salvation Army background clearances
• MVR records check, must meet Authorized Driving standards of the Salvation Army

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provide transitional services for youths and young adults in the areas of education, life skills and career/employment.
• Provide individualized services in or on behalf of youths and young adults residing in a foster family home, specialized independent living home, transitional supervised living arrangement, or living independently.
• Provide outreach services, assessments and development of the youth's and young adult's individualized independent living plan, collateral contacts on behalf of a youth referred to or participating in the program.
• Prepares progress reports and represents the Agency in court hearings for clients served within the program to comply with contractual requirements.
• Implement Transitional Services/case Management Standards of Care system.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Independent Living Skills Program, and Hire education services.
• Actively participate in the coordination of the Transitional Services Collaboration Team.
• Orientate, train and supervise lower classified personnel and volunteers.
• Maintain required documentation and case records of youths and services provided.
• Provide monthly statistical data and prepare quarterly and other reports as required.
• Complete and evaluate the outcomes management system.
• Maintain professional worker/client and staff relationships at all times.
• Obtain agency certification to operate agency vehicles to transport youth to and from activities.
• Assist the Program Coordinator in improving operational procedures for the assigned program in accordance with assigned contract requirements to achieve outcomes.
• Assist the Program Manager and Program Coordinator with responding to day to day inquiries of specific program service(s) as required by assigned prevention and outreach contracts (IK).
• Assist the administration in representing the program to the community and to maintain productive relationships with all client related agencies, community resources and programs, schools, and similar entities.
• Attend all staff meetings, training, conferences as required or scheduled.
• Must be able to carry out and fulfill work duties during assigned work schedule and at work location.

• OTHER FUNCTIONS:
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:
• Willing to accept and implement The Salvation Army philosophy.
• Sound judgment, dependability, understanding, firm, caring, organized, high energy
• Liaison with and knowledge of public service agencies and other community agencies.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Work under stressful conditions
• Interact with others with courtesy and tact
• Relate to wide range of people and situations including youth, parents, agency workers, police, school personnel, etc.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team concept; participate in staff training and growth group
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects in an organized and efficient manner
• Respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner
• Complete projects on schedule
• Maintain confidentiality
• Maintain regular and punctual work attendance; may require flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The position requires sitting; climbing and/or balancing; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; standing; walking; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; driving a vehicle; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25-50 pounds and occasionally more than 50 pounds; traveling by airplane. Implement safe restraints of youth involved in physical confrontation situations.
COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:
The position requires talking to co-workers, clients, vendors; requires written communication to and from co-workers, clients, vendor; talking on the telephones; requires responding to written or verbal requests of co-workers, clients, and vendors; requires training/giving verbal and written instructions; requires receiving verbal and written instructions; requires writing/composing written language; requires reading; requires visiting/working at other worksites; requires communication via the latest technologies. Implement safe restraints of youth involved in physical confrontation situations.
SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:
Prioritize multiple work tasks to meet tight deadlines
EQUIPMENT NEEDS:
Use office equipment such as computers, photocopiers, scanners, calculators, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Most work will be indoors at Family Intervention Services. Attendance at trainings, both in Hawaii and on the mainland, may be required.

Skills Required