Engagement Specialist

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services. With a high-performing and dedicated staff of more than 3,300 working in 25 states as well as the District of Columbia and an annual operating budget over $400 million, the organization serves more than 35,000 emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth annually through its comprehensive, evidence-based programs: intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care, adoption, group homes, transition-age youth services, specialized crisis services, and intensive residential treatment.

The organization, founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1986, measures its success in reunited families and in children who are able to live at home and do well in school. Since 1994, when Youth Villages began an emphasis on helping children in the least restrictive environment -- preferably in their own homes -- success rates have soared: in 2020, 87% of the children who received at least 60 days of service at Youth Villages were still living successfully in the community one year after their discharge. Youth Villages’ success rate is extraordinary when compared with a 60 percent failure rate for traditional child welfare services.

President Obama recognized Youth Villages as a nonprofit with “promising ideas that are transforming communities.” Youth Villages Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Lawler, was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

Position Overview

Youth Villages is seeking to significantly grow its LifeSet and Intercept programs. This position, on the new engagement team in the Business Planning and Policy (BPP) Department, will be responsible for identifying, researching, and determining potential jurisdictions and potential providers that may be suitable for the expansion of Youth Villages' services. In addition, this position will focus specifically on California, Texas, and and/or other assigned new jurisdiction states to support research, government relations, public policy recommendations, and external stakeholder engagement in the assigned jurisdiction(s). Lastly, this position will assist with preparation for national and local convenings and associated follow-up communication.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Business development and government relations

• Leading or contributing to meetings and presentations with key external stakeholders (including potential funders, state/county agencies, and lawmakers)
• Technical writing, including proposal writing, as well as composing letters and emails, developing PowerPoints, etc.
• Critical thinking related to analysis of growth and funding opportunities
• Creating budgets and analyzing financials to support business development decision-making
• Strong collaborations with internal leadership, including other support departments (such as Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Communications, Finance, etc.)
• Research growth opportunities, cultivate relationships, and introduce proposals and services to potential funders (in conjunction with state and department leadership)
• Communicates with program and other Youth Villages leaders, including CSO and CEO, about expansion opportunities and new startups
• Review bills, laws, and policies that may impact strategy and engagement with key stakeholders, and/or that will have an impact on child welfare, Medicaid, and other state systems that serve children, families, and young adults. 

Conduct desk research:

• Research states/jurisdictions of interest for the growth of Youth Villages services by completing shallow dives and utilizing collected information, including analyzing the economy, funding streams (local, state, federal), legislation, government structure, political climate, competitors, new business opportunities, and trends related to transitioning youth/disconnect youth and at-risk children and families
• Complete provider pre-screens and scans to determine if an organization meets the initial criteria to be considered for partnering.
  Identify and articulate reasons why new opportunities would or would not be of interest to Youth Villages (including comparison with Youth Villages' expansion plan priorities)

Strategy Implementation

• Help carry out identified strategies and tactics for growth, system influence, and/or thought leadership
• Actively contribute to the planning process for assigned states (which occurs annually) and special projects
• Engage internal leadership in the planning process in a collaborative way
• As a member of the Business Planning and Policy Department, must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to conference attendance, contract adherence processes, and other duties as assigned.
   

We are looking for an addition to our team who will bring strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, strong and confident communication skills, and experience working with upper-level leadership. We need an Engagement Specialist who is an assertive self-starter with a strong sense of flexibility and creativity.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• A Master’s degree is preferred
• A Bachelor's degree is required
• An individual living in Texas or California preferred
• Must be open to travel 
• An individual with experience with state or county human services agencies in Texas or California is preferred
• Specific degrees and coursework in public policy, public administration, political science, and/or social work are preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• Ability to engage audiences and function in an in-person or virtual environment
• Experience related to negotiating contracts with funders and/or knowledge of funding sources (i.e. Medicaid/managed care, child welfare, mental health) is preferred
• Strong, demonstrable Microsoft Office skills, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Paid parental leave

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.