Youth Specialist

Roanoke, VA

  • Department: This Valley Works
  • Posting Date: 10/03/2025
  • Closing Date: 10/17/2025
  • Salary: $18.00 - $21.00/hr
  • Code: YS-TVW

CLASSIFICATION:            Non-Exempt

Every TAP employee shares in TAP’s responsibility to “Mobilize Community Resources” in support of TAP’s anti-poverty efforts.

 

DEFINITION AND PURPOSE:

The Youth Specialist supports the daily operation and delivery of youth programming under Project Discover U, including but not limited to mentoring support, educational workshops, college and career exploration, employment readiness, cultural empowerment programming, and youth leadership development. The Youth Specialist works directly with youth participants, families, schools, volunteers, and community partners to ensure high-quality services, positive youth engagement, and successful program outcomes. This position plays a key role in building trusting relationships with youth and helping them achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. This position may require occasional evenings, weekends, or overnight work and local travel for school visits, program events, or off-site experiences.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

Supervised by:             Project Discovery U Coordinator

Supervises:                 No one

Coordinates with:       Other TAP programs and staff, local school systems, community organizations, post-secondary institution liaison, volunteers, families, and youth participants.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assist in the implementation of youth programs under the Project Discover U umbrella, including mentoring, college access, career exposure, violence prevention, and cultural identity development.
  • Build strong relationships with youth to foster trust, consistency, and a sense of belonging.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate group sessions, workshops, and field experiences as assigned.
  • Track student participation, attendance, and outcomes using agency-approved data systems.
  • Help coordinate program logistics such as transportation, event setup, materials preparation, and scheduling.
  • Maintain communication with schools, parents/guardians, and partners to support youth needs and engagement.
  • Assist with recruitment of youth participants and volunteers through outreach at schools and in the community.
  • Participate in training and staff development activities relevant to trauma-informed care, mentoring, and youth development.
  • Attend team meetings, planning sessions, and debriefs to ensure program quality and coordination.
  • Provide input on program improvements and identify barriers to youth participation or engagement.
  • Maintain confidentiality and uphold TAP’s commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and safety.
  • Assist with reporting, documentation, and data entry as needed by the Project Discover U Coordinator.
  • Any other duties involving program activities.

 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Ability to relate well to diverse youth populations, including those from underserved or marginalized communities.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Group facilitation or mentoring experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of youth development principles and trauma-informed care.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Basic computer literacy and ability to learn data systems.
  • Comfort working in schools, community settings, and outdoor environments.
  • Commitment to the goals of the program.

 

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or coursework in social work, education, human services, or related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 1–2 years of experience working with youth, preferably in a school, nonprofit, or mentoring environment.
  • Experience working with volunteers, families, or community partners is preferred.
  • At TAP, we focus on the Whole Family Approach. As an employee, you may be required to attend Whole Family training and enter relevant data into the agency’s database as part of client support.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must have a valid Virginia Operator’s license with a good driving record and reliable transportation.
  • TAP participates in the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program.  Employees who operate a TAP vehicle or their personal vehicle to conduct TAP business may be subject to driver record monitoring through the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program.
  • Must pass drug screening.  Some positions require positive complete background screening including: health, criminal, sex offender and child protective services.
  • Physical activity of this position – climbing; ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like; kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, use of fingers for – picking, pinching and typing; grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  • Physical requirements of this position – light work; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
  • Visual acuity requirements – close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
  • Conditions subject to in this position – worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

 

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job, and general nature and level of work associated with the job.  It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties that may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

We only hire individuals legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace

Bilingual ability is a plus.