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Action for Boston Community Development is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. 

The Youth Worker is responsible for conducting school-based youth development and substance abuse education activities within the Ostiguy Prevention Program. Established in 2006, Ostiguy High School is the first high school in the nation to be accredited by the Association of Recovery Schools. Serving 75 students annually, we feature small class sizes, certified teachers with expertise in both their subject area and working with youth in recovery, afterschool and summer opportunities for tutoring and catching up with course credits, along with standardized test preparation to address students' specific needs.

Duties include: 

• Responsible for conducting school-based youth development and substance abuse education activities
• Work alongside the school community to provide training, establish substance abuse working groups, facilitate needs assessment, and help guide policy discussion
• Provide screening, motivational interviewing counseling, and connect youth to community resources and pro-social activities as part of an overall focus on social determinants of substance abuse
• Guide participating schools and community partners in developing substance abuse policies and procedures that align with the Massachusetts Tiered Systems of Supports
• Provide staff at participating schools and community partners with training on information necessary to identify youth with potential substance use issues, small group substance abuse prevention/education classes, and assist in facilitating the necessary interventions and referrals
• Ensure that each participating school and community partner incorporates comprehensive culturally competent substance abuse component into their behavioral health education curriculum
• Prepare and enter monthly data and written reports as appropriate on both qualitative and quantitative results on program activities
• Participate in weekly case management meetings with the OPP team, collaborating with the team to develop and implement strategies to better serve and support youth of color with substance abuse issues
• Perform other duties as assigned from time to time

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in human services, education, social sciences or related field with one to three years of related experience
• Knowledge of high school-aged youth, their problems and issues and their academic, social and emotional needs
• Knowledge of substance use/abuse issues, recovery substance abuse issues, and their effect on youth
• Ability to organize, and experience facilitating, group/education workshops
• Familiarity with greater Boston area community and social service agencies
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds
• Strong communication, problem solving and collaboration skills with the ability to work independently

Why ABCD?

• Make an impact on the community
  
• Professional development opportunities and trainings
  
• Health and Dental Insurance
  
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
  
• Life Insurance
  
• 403B Retirement Plan with employer match and vesting
  
• Paid Time Off
  
• 13 Observed Holidays