Youth Specialists are employed in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, juvenile justice systems, social service agencies, and mental health facilities.
Employment of youth specialists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Increasing demand for after-school and other youth programs should lead to some job growth for youth specialists.
The median annual wage for youth specialists was $40,570 in May 2019.
What to Include in a Youth Specialist Cover Letter?
Roles And Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development and implementation of youth engagement activities and action plans.
- Providing direct services to youth as needed, including crisis intervention, counseling/therapy, substance abuse services, behavioral management techniques and social skills training.
- Support young people in their personal and professional development by connecting them with mentors and providing guidance on career prospects.
- Develop an understanding of the needs, interests, and concerns of youth in the community.
- Build trusting relationships with young people through active listening, respectful communication, and regular check-ins.
- Develop local awareness about the services offered by the organization through outreach activities.
- Track attendance at youth programs and record relevant information in case management software.
- Act as a role model and mentor to youth by serving as a positive example of maturity, leadership and integrity.
Education & Skills
Youth Specialist Skills:
- Sound knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures of youth development.
- Extensive experience in working with at-risk youth.
- Demonstrated ability to leverage community resources.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
Youth Specialist Education Requirements:
- Youth Specialists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to child development, social work, psychology, or a similar field. Some jobs may require a master’s degree or specialized training.
Youth Specialist Cover Letter Example (Text Version)
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Recruiter Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the Youth Specialist position at [company name]. I look forward to sharing my experiences and skills with you. Please find my resume attached.
I have a strong sense of self and my abilities, while still maintaining the ability to learn from others. I work best with people who either share my attitude or are eager to learn. My approach is to gather as much information as possible before deciding what course of action is best.
I am passionate about the field and strive to be a lifelong learner. One of the most important things that I learned while earning my degree in [field name] is that there will always be more information out there, new things to read and analyze, and new ways of approaching problems.
Key Highlights of my current role include:
- Led a team of 15 youth service specialists to achieve a 95% placement of foster children into homes.
- Worked with a large number of individuals both in and outside of the department to coordinate services and achieve goals.
- Improved efficiency of program operations by implementing tracking procedures and automating processes.
- Successfully implemented a new program to engage at-risk youth in the community.
- Assisted in the development of a new curriculum for social media outreach, resulting in a 10% increase in followers.
My experience working for [organization or company name] has given me the confidence to work well with people who have different personalities and approaches. I’m experienced at keeping clients on task and focused on their goals, but also flexible enough to keep both myself and my clients engaged throughout the process.
Thank you for considering me for this position. If you have any further questions about my experience or qualifications, please let me know.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips
While writing an youth specialist cover letter, it is important to be clear and concise. The letter should be free of grammatical and spelling errors, and it should be addressed to the specific person or organization to which you are applying.
In addition, the letter should highlight your relevant qualifications and experience working with youth. Finally, be sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration.
Refer our Youth Specialist Resume Sample for more tips on how to write your resume and accompany it with a strong cover letter.
