King County, WA
Overview
King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks up to two outreach specialists, social services specialists, to provide life skills counseling to youth and young adults ages 16-24, assess needs, provide information and referral services, and connect youth to education and employment re-engagement programs throughout King County. The Outreach Specialist acts as an advocate and role model, developing supportive relationships with youth and young adults, providing life skills counseling, and connecting them to appropriate education and employment services. The position requires a strong race equity lens and the ability to develop relationships with school districts and youth-serving organizations. Responsibilities
Provide life skills counseling to youth and young adults ages 16-24 who are not working and/or not in school to assist them with reengaging in education and/or gaining employment. Assess youth/young adult needs with a focus on education and employment; identify barriers to enrollment and completion of goals. Orient youth to programs that assist in meeting education and/or employment goals and develop strategies to engage them in services. Provide barrier-reducing information and serve as an advocate for youth. Help youth access records and information needed to obtain services (e.g., Washington State ID, Social Security Card). Identify and establish relationships with community resources and act as a liaison between youth and education/employment resources. Conduct outreach to the community (presentations) to share information about ReConnect to Opportunity (ReOpp) and re-engagement opportunities with stakeholders. Provide mentoring and support services to help youth solve personal and work-related problems. Research and identify resources that support education and employment goals. Develop relationships with schools and community organizations serving disconnected youth to generate referrals. Use social media to share information about ReOpp and King County re-engagement programs. Gather information on service need trends and establish new services and referrals as needed. Facilitate youth re-engagement by accompanying them to meetings and liaising with program staff. Maintain organized records and enter participant information into the CYYAD database. Provide education and crisis intervention training referrals to youth’s family. Serve on agency committees and community/school-based organizations; perform other duties as assigned to support re-engagement efforts. Qualifications
Relevant experience in social services, outreach or human services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At least two years of experience with youth re-engagement, particularly outreach for youth/young adults ages 16-24. Ability to conduct outreach and provide peer support/life skills counseling. Understanding of challenges faced by disconnected youth and knowledge of services available to support youth and young adults. Ability to assess youth/young adults for strengths and barriers to enrollment in education and employment programs. Ability to advise youth/young adults to engage with programs that meet their needs through advocacy, support, and individual strategy development. Strong relationship skills and the ability to work with diverse cultures and backgrounds; experience with community-based organizations, service providers, training institutions, employers, youth, and colleagues. Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work with internal and external partners. Time management skills to handle multiple tasks in a high-pressure environment; adaptable to changing workload. Highly organized with attention to detail; able to work independently and as part of a team. Strong computer skills and experience with social media for outreach. Adaptability, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Valid Washington State Driver's License and reliable transportation to travel throughout the county. Ability to pass a Washington State Patrol Background check on a post-offer/pre-hire basis. Additional Information
This position has been designated Non-Mission Critical; all employees are expected to report to work or request leave during emergencies or inclement weather unless directed otherwise. Work is performed in-person, including at the Tukwila office, schools, and community locations. Work schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; overtime eligible with supervisory pre-approval. This position is not represented by a union. Classification: Social Services Specialist. How to Apply
This position is open to qualified candidates. Interviews are planned for the week of November 3, 2025. Submit an online King County application and respond to supplemental questions. Applications and supplemental questionnaires that state “see my resume” are considered incomplete. Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision options; life and disability insurance; retirement programs; ORCA transit options. 12 paid holidays plus two personal holidays; generous vacation and paid sick leave; parental, family, medical, and volunteer leaves. Flexible Spending Account; wellness programs; onsite activity centers; Employee Giving and EAP programs. Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position; training and career development opportunities. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply.
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King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks up to two outreach specialists, social services specialists, to provide life skills counseling to youth and young adults ages 16-24, assess needs, provide information and referral services, and connect youth to education and employment re-engagement programs throughout King County. The Outreach Specialist acts as an advocate and role model, developing supportive relationships with youth and young adults, providing life skills counseling, and connecting them to appropriate education and employment services. The position requires a strong race equity lens and the ability to develop relationships with school districts and youth-serving organizations. Responsibilities
Provide life skills counseling to youth and young adults ages 16-24 who are not working and/or not in school to assist them with reengaging in education and/or gaining employment. Assess youth/young adult needs with a focus on education and employment; identify barriers to enrollment and completion of goals. Orient youth to programs that assist in meeting education and/or employment goals and develop strategies to engage them in services. Provide barrier-reducing information and serve as an advocate for youth. Help youth access records and information needed to obtain services (e.g., Washington State ID, Social Security Card). Identify and establish relationships with community resources and act as a liaison between youth and education/employment resources. Conduct outreach to the community (presentations) to share information about ReConnect to Opportunity (ReOpp) and re-engagement opportunities with stakeholders. Provide mentoring and support services to help youth solve personal and work-related problems. Research and identify resources that support education and employment goals. Develop relationships with schools and community organizations serving disconnected youth to generate referrals. Use social media to share information about ReOpp and King County re-engagement programs. Gather information on service need trends and establish new services and referrals as needed. Facilitate youth re-engagement by accompanying them to meetings and liaising with program staff. Maintain organized records and enter participant information into the CYYAD database. Provide education and crisis intervention training referrals to youth’s family. Serve on agency committees and community/school-based organizations; perform other duties as assigned to support re-engagement efforts. Qualifications
Relevant experience in social services, outreach or human services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At least two years of experience with youth re-engagement, particularly outreach for youth/young adults ages 16-24. Ability to conduct outreach and provide peer support/life skills counseling. Understanding of challenges faced by disconnected youth and knowledge of services available to support youth and young adults. Ability to assess youth/young adults for strengths and barriers to enrollment in education and employment programs. Ability to advise youth/young adults to engage with programs that meet their needs through advocacy, support, and individual strategy development. Strong relationship skills and the ability to work with diverse cultures and backgrounds; experience with community-based organizations, service providers, training institutions, employers, youth, and colleagues. Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work with internal and external partners. Time management skills to handle multiple tasks in a high-pressure environment; adaptable to changing workload. Highly organized with attention to detail; able to work independently and as part of a team. Strong computer skills and experience with social media for outreach. Adaptability, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Valid Washington State Driver's License and reliable transportation to travel throughout the county. Ability to pass a Washington State Patrol Background check on a post-offer/pre-hire basis. Additional Information
This position has been designated Non-Mission Critical; all employees are expected to report to work or request leave during emergencies or inclement weather unless directed otherwise. Work is performed in-person, including at the Tukwila office, schools, and community locations. Work schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; overtime eligible with supervisory pre-approval. This position is not represented by a union. Classification: Social Services Specialist. How to Apply
This position is open to qualified candidates. Interviews are planned for the week of November 3, 2025. Submit an online King County application and respond to supplemental questions. Applications and supplemental questionnaires that state “see my resume” are considered incomplete. Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision options; life and disability insurance; retirement programs; ORCA transit options. 12 paid holidays plus two personal holidays; generous vacation and paid sick leave; parental, family, medical, and volunteer leaves. Flexible Spending Account; wellness programs; onsite activity centers; Employee Giving and EAP programs. Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position; training and career development opportunities. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply.
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