Regional career, vocational, and employability services, central region

The Department of Youth Services (DYS), under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapters 18A, 119, and 120, is the juvenile justice agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

As the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission by investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development with a focus on fair and equitable services.

DYS operates several programs, including both staff and hardware secure residential treatment programs, pre-independent living programs, transition to independent living programs, and community-based District Offices that support positive youth development and the clinical, educational, career readiness, and employability needs of youth who have been committed to our care and custody. DYS focuses on youths’ gradual reintegration back to the community as productive citizens. DYS works in partnership with provider agencies, law enforcement, and school officials, families, communities, and others to ensure that the services provided are effective and that they create pathways for positive outcomes for youth and safer communities.

Regional Career, Vocational, and Employability (CVES) Support Specialists are cross-system relationship builders who support how providers, DYS local offices and programs, and the DYS central office work together to pursue outcomes-oriented, youth-centered services that promote long-term economic mobility for families receiving DYS Services. CVES Support Specialists are connectors and coaches who use data, reporting, site visits, convenings, and cross-system communication to improve the overall effectiveness of the DYS Skill Up, Transition Services, and CVES continuum of services and promote youth positive outcomes. CVES Support Specialists will perform job development activities and coordination, including, but not limited to, cultivating partnerships with community-based job skills, training, Arts, Music, and Skill Up programs. Through these partnerships, CVES Support Specialists are responsible for supporting work program operations to ensure that all youth receiving services through DYS are able to access employment opportunities through funded and non-funded local community partners.

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs, please watch: DYS Programs Video

Duties and Responsibilities

(these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide regional technical assistance and coaching to Skill UP providers and Arts and Music providers as needed. CVES Support Specialists are expected to meet with CVES Skill up providers and regional staff regularly, establish strong relationships, and maintain a good understanding of programs in order to support best-fit referrals (i.e., referrals that are likely to result in youth engagement and positive outcomes) between Program staff, Caseworkers, District Offices, and providers to promote success in achieving outcomes goals for youth.
• Act as the Regional liaison between Residential Programs, Community, Training Department, DYS families, Careen- Navigators, and DYS Central Office to ensure Skill Up providers are supported. CVES Support Specialists are expected to build connections between providers and residential and community operations in navigating the provider community and services offered, and make sure residential and community programs/offices and DYS Central Office are aware of any program changes. The primary goals of these connections are to ensure that Career, Vocational, and Employability Services Programs are effectively meeting local employment needs and supporting outcomes achievement.
• As directed, the Regional CVES Support Specialist shall support programming as administered by the DYS Director of Transition Services and Programming. Create additional regional community partnerships to increase youth program opportunities through non-funded collaborations.
• “Make meaning of” and share data in partnership with Regional Leadership, Residential Programs, District Offices, and Skill Up providers. CVES Support Specialists are expected to actively use data dashboards (JJEMS) to quality assure Career Navigators e-career readiness files, to assess the status and trends over time of referrals, enrollments, exits, and outcomes achievement. CVES Support Specialists can use these trends to identify opportunities for technical assistance and facilitate data-driven Provider coaching.
• Facilitate discussion, review youth monthly Regional Employment Outreach Specialist and Career Navigator activity, and Data Collection (JJEMS-Virtual Gateway). CVES Support Specialists are responsible for monitoring youth progress through contracted services for Skill Up programs to support outcome achievement.
• Facilitate Skill Up Provider Onboarding Process CVES Support Specialists are responsible for scheduling providers for annual mandatory DYS101 Training, as well as communication to Regional-Training Unit.
• Facilitate DYS Youth Payroll Onboarding Process CVES Support Specialists are responsible for assisting local program staff with onboarding paperwork, assist in vital documents (JJEMS upload), and request Care and Custody letter from local Payroll Point of Contact.

Qualifications Required at Hire

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource management, including behavioral techniques, planning, forecasting, organizational development, etc.
• Knowledge of work simplification methods, methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables, and methods of general report writing.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc., governing assigned unit activities.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures and determine proper format and procedure.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to prepare and use charts, graphs, and tables, and prepare general reports.
• Ability to write concisely and clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to communicate, follow, and provide written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious, diverse working relationships with others.
• Ability to adjust to varying situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in handling confidential information.

Qualifications Acquired at Hire

• Knowledge of the Department of Youth Services and its continuum of care.
• Experience in operating and working in the operations of residential and community programming for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Working knowledge of Department of Youth Services policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Word, Edge, Excel, and other software to produce documents and reports electronically.
• Ability to understand, analyze, and apply the provisions of the regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing operations and assigned program activities, including Commonwealth of Massachusetts procurement of contract procedures.
• Ability to analyze and determine applicability of reported data, to draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively with others and coordinate the efforts of others on accomplishing assigned work objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively and develop ideas in logical sequence, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or shifting expectations and work under pressure.
• Ability to be flexible and work within a team as well as work independently on tasks while receiving supervision from the Manager.
• Ability to assist in indirectly supervising and providing support to direct care staff, program managers, regional managers, and other senior staff.
• Ability to deal with crises and problem-solve immediate needs.
• Cultural Competency.

About the Department of Youth Services

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information, please go to: DYS Website

Schedule: First (1st) Shift 8:45 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., with Saturday and Sunday off.

Pre-Hire Process

Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes:

• Drug Screening
• Psychological Screening
• Medical Examination
• Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

If you would like more information, please log on to the DYS website DYS Website to access detailed information on the pre-employment process.

Pre-Offer Process

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit CORI Information.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions

• A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
• A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.
• A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”): requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. If you decline to vaccinate you will be required to take mitigation measures mandated by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) that are consistent with guidance from the Department of Public Health. Failure to take those mitigation measures, including masking, could lead to discipline, up to and including termination.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.