Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Youth Development Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Family Intervention Services – Hilo Outreach/Prevention, Substance Use Prevention (SUP)

RESPONSIBLE TO: 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.

Unit Mission Statement:

"To provide youth with skills for a healthy life, and instill purpose, hope and vision to youth and their families."

The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) is a non-exempt full-time regular position under the Hilo Outreach/Prevention programs that focuses services specific to Substance Use Prevention (SUP). Services provided under the Hilo Outreach/Prevention programs are funded through various government and/or other funding sources to provide those services to youth and families in the community. The YDS will carry out those services through the essential functions described in this job description. The YDS is supervised by the Program Coordinator of the Hilo/Prevention services.

1. Essential Qualifications:
2. BA in Human Services or related field required, with at least one-year experience providing outreach/prevention services to at-risk youths and their families is preferred; or A.S. degree and two-years experience providing prevention and outreach services to at-risk youths and their families, of which one-year experience should include providing a prevention curriculum-based programs; or High School Diploma with four years required related experience; and/or a combination equivalency of some college and related work experiences.
3. Valid Hawaii driver’s license.
4. Valid TB clearance and Pre-Employment Medical Clearance
5. Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
6. DHS FBI/Criminal History & CAN, and Salvation Army background clearances
7. MVR records check, must meet Authorized Driving standards of the Salvation Army

1. Desired Qualifications:
2. Demonstrates proficiency with data entry software usage and ability to utilize virtual platforms to deliver curriculum, training, workshops, etc.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in writing of case documents and required program reports

1. Essential Functions:
2. Implements the Strategic Planning Framework (SPF) to achieve goals and outcomes for the program and contracts requirements.
3. Works toward, attains, and maintains Certification requirements as a Prevention Specialist through the Hawaii’s Alcohol Drug Abuse Division (ADAD).
4. Adheres to practices and standards established from ADAD’s Certified Prevention Specialist Code of Ethics.
5. Implements curriculum-based programs in the prevention and outreach programs to youth and their families of teen pregnancy prevention; substance and alcohol abuse prevention; tobacco cessation; and other adolescent problem behaviors.
6. Under guidance from the Program Coordinator implements assigned program requirements to meet all outcomes of the assigned prevention/outreach contract.
7. Implements community-based outreach activities to reach at-risk youth and their families.
8. Develops and implements family strengthening activities, and develop community partnerships and collaborations to maximize resources to serve youth and their families.
9. Under guidance from the Program Director and Coordinator develops community-based prevention strategies to target population.
10. Provides case management services for clients served within assigned contract(s).
11. Provide monthly and quarterly reports to the Program Director and Coordinator regarding clients served and services provided of assigned contract(s).
12. Completes data entry requirements as determined by contractor.
13. Coordinate program activities with and participate in other agency sponsored programs.
14. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Director and Coordinator
15. Must be able to carry out and fulfill work duties during assigned work schedule and at work location.

1. OTHER FUNCTIONS:
2. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Skills and Personal Qualities:
2. Ability and skill in communicating with people of different cultures/ethnicity.
3. Ability to write and speak comprehensively.
4. Ability and skill in relating to a wide range of people and situations: youth; parents; agency workers; school personnel; law enforcement personnel; businesses; civic groups, supervisors, and other similar personnel.
5. Ability to train/orientate volunteer and lower classified personnel.
6. Ability and skill to work within an interdisciplinary team concept and participate in staff training.
7. Personal attributes: good, sound judgment; dependability; understanding firmness; caring; organizational skills; ability to work under conditions of constant change and stress; and ability to perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
8. Willingness to accept and implement The Salvation Army philosophy.

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.

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

SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Prioritize multiple work tasks to meet tight deadlines

EQUIPMENT NEEDS:

Use office equipment such as computers, photocopiers, scanners, calculators, etc.

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.

NOTES:

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.