District Youth Worker

The role is based in Uttlesford but covers the West Quadrant of Essex (Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest).
We are currently seeking a Youth Worker to commission and develop innovative programmes and imaginative activities within the local community, whilst encouraging the active participation of young people in developing their own ideas and their personal skills.
The post-holder will lead on and take ownership and accountability for defined areas of the work programme but will also work flexibly across internal and external teams to support delivery in other areas. They will plan and deliver commissioning activity,work collaboratively with colleagues and partners, and help others to achieve. The post-holder will develop new approaches, based on sound evidence and creative thinking, with a strong focus on improving outcomes; they will be both proactive and responsive,combining energy and enthusiasm with the tenacity and drive to see things through.

**Job Purpose Summary**
To work with young people and their communities:

- Work closely with the Senior Youth and Community Commissioner to help young people and the community to develop the skills and capacity to design and deliver youth provision in their community
- Have supervisory responsibility for the Youth and Community Based Commissioners within a hub area
- Making contact and establishing relationships with professionals, young people, and their communities
- Ensuring the 'voice' of young people is heard in the design and delivery of effective youth work provision
- Encouraging and enabling young people to participate in a range of educational and personally challenging activities
- Ensuring access to information and personal support, which enables young people to develop the confidence and skills to become creative, active and critical participants in the wider community

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Manage the organisation to a high-performing, customer-centric culture through exemplar behaviour in accordance with ECC's Values and Core Leadership Behaviours
- Manage employees in working flexibly and collaboratively across structural boundaries as part of project or process teams in support of key outcomes
- Manage the development of organisational capability through good people management, including the training, development, mentoring and coaching of team members
- Thinking creatively, challenging the norms, and constructively challenging those around them (including those more senior) to ensure continuous improvement, commercial astuteness, and inspire the same in employees
- Ensure the proper assessment, management and mitigation of risk, including Health and Safety and Business Continuity

**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**
- Ability to work in partnership and to influence partners across a range of sectors to support the identification of desired outcomes for young people
- Experience of leading and developing youth work with young people
- The ability to effectively motivate and manage a team of youth workers
- Ability to build relationships and relate well to young people
- Ability to motivate young people and facilitate young people's learning
- Commitment to challenging prejudice and ignorance
- Ability to develop work with young people to achieve planned outcomes
- Flexibility to adapt to new programmes and initiatives as required by young people, communities and the council
- Ability to run effective meetings, engaging partner organisations and young people in these forums
- Ability to work cohesively as part of a team
- Ability to manage a demanding workload and balance priorities, in discussion with your line manager
- The job requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area, a current driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential

You will be required to work up to four evenings per week, plus weekends and residentials, as required by the needs of young people and the Youth Service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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