Youth Development Manager - Waltham at More Than Words in Waltham, MA

About More Than Words   

More Than Words (MTW) is a social enterprise that empowers youth, ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. By working as a team to manage their own retail and online used book business and community space, youth develop the employment skills, leadership, and self-confidence they need to successfully transition to adulthood.   

MTW is an exemplary organization that has continually held up a mirror to identify areas for improvement and accountability; that ethic is part of the culture and fabric of MTW, and it extends to our commitment to ensuring our staff and board reflect the racial and ethnic diversity and lived experiences of the young adults we are privileged to serve. People of color are highly encouraged to apply.  

The Opportunity 

More Than Words (MTW) seeks a Case Manager - Youth Development (YDM) with experience working directly with high-risk youth and has a passion for working with young adults moving their lives forward through a social enterprise. The YDM supports youth, individually and in small groups, to set and achieve goals around education, employment and self-efficacy, to manage and navigate challenges as they transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood and establishes performance standards as a basis for “compassionate accountability.” 

  

As MTW is committed to using data to improve performance and results, the Case Manager - Youth Development is responsible for accurate and timely data tracking and for incorporating data inquiry as a critical learning tool to improve practice and programs. This position reports to the Associate Director of Youth Development. 

    

Case Management: 

• Works directly with youth, managing a caseload of approximately 12-17 youth, ages 16-24 

• Conducts weekly 1:1 check-ins with youth to coach them on their employment progress through the social enterprise and steps towards completing monthly SMART goals around education, employment, and self-efficacy. 

• Facilitates 1-2shifts per week consisting of individualized work and group professional development workshops focused on education, employment, and self-efficacy. Strong skills needed in content creation, facilitation, and classroom management. 

• Collaborates across MTW department teams to best support the youth in their movement through the model, as well as support their progress in school and community 

• Communicates monthly with external youth collaterals (DCF, probation, school, etc.), 

• Serves as point person to manage crisis situations as they arise (i.e., supporting youth who lose housing, relapse, need connections to health services, etc.). 

  

Youth Development Services: 

• Works in collaboration with MTW Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE) team to enhance MTW outreach, recruitment, and admissions efforts to identify and enroll youth that are a good fit with MTW. 

• Coordinates and conducts interviews monthly with youth to select new trainees for MTW. 

• Develop and cultivate collaborations with community and public sector organizations to generate opportunities for youth. 

  

Data and Performance Management: 

• Submit weekly case notes into Salesforce database to ensure accurate and timely tracking of youth information and progress. 

• Utilizes data to reflect and adopt strategies to motivate youth around meeting employment and education goals. 

  

Key Qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree
• 3 years of experience working directly with high-risk youth in a youth development program or education setting, ideally with some experience with DCF and/or DYS young adults, facilitation, and case management 

• Able to inspire and motivate individuals and groups to work toward setting and achieving goals and to navigate and manage obstacles to meeting educational, work and life goals 

• Must be responsible, flexible, hard-working, ethical, trustworthy, sincere, and willing to hold youth accountable for their choices 

• Bi-lingual (English and Spanish) or multi-lingual applicants strongly preferred.

Schedule: Typical 10 AM – 6 PM. Candidates must be able to work evening hours each week to serve our youth population when they are not in school. 

  

Compensation: $52,000-$57,749; commensurate with skills and experience.  

Benefits: 

• Medical and Dental Insurance   

• 401K with up to 3.5% Employer Match   

• Optional tax saving Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health, dental, dependent care, transportation and parking    

• Generous paid vacation and sick time   

• Significant growth opportunities and professional development   

• Employee Discounts   

To apply: Please include both resume and a cover letter.    

  

All of MTW’s sites are commuter friendly and are conveniently located near public transportation.   

   

Background Checks

More Than Words requires all staff, service members, volunteers, board members and youth over 18 years of age to undergo background checks. More Than Words is a CORI friendly organization and reviews CORIs on a case-by-case basis.    

MTW EEO Statement  

MTW is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background. The organization's policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action, and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to HR@MTWyouth.org.