Emergency Appointment - Youth Development Ambassador

Overview

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY
Exam Number: YD8298C-EA
Applications will be open for filing on Friday, February 6th 2026, from 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) to before 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Youth Development is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Youth Development Ambassador vacancies related to the homelessness crisis.

At this time, the Department seeks to fill the following vacancies:

• A) Youth Development Ambassadors (Youth Development & School-Base): to support the development of strategies, priorities, and direction for regional Youth Development Networks and School-Based efforts. This role includes facilitating partnerships with systems change partners, including regional and educational stakeholders, to coordinate and collaborate on shared priorities and implementation; and
• B) Youth Development Ambassadors (Youth Reentry & Decarceration): to support the development of strategies, priorities, and direction for youth decarceration and reentry initiatives, including programs and policies focused on increasing access to supportive services and alternatives to incarceration for justice-involved youth. This role includes supporting partnerships with community and system partners, including justice system partners, to coordinate and collaborate on shared priorities and implementation of decarceration, reentry, and Credible Messenger mentorship strategies;
  
  and
• C) Youth Development Ambassadors (Coordination & Innovation): to support research and evaluation for youth development programs. This role includes learning data management, quality assurance, and data-related technical assistance to support youth development partners; as well as support for collaborative communication of data, evidence, and opportunities for program improvement and equity.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Youth Development Ambassador.

The Ambassador assists in the coordination and collaborative project management of a wide range of youth development services, opportunities and support—from prevention and early intervention to engagement and support for youth and their families involved in the justice system—so that all youth in Los Angeles County have access to youth development. The individual supports youth participating in collaborative programs or policy planning and helps to inform work plans and priorities by sharing their valuable experience and perspective.

• Supports the development, implementation, and management of youth development services and policy initiatives with guidance from a Youth Development Supervisor and in collaboration with Youth Development Specialists and Ambassadors.
• Supports developing and designing programs, policies, and systems to ensure effective service delivery.
• Supports protocols and implementation plans to operationalize and improve program and policy initiatives.
• Supports research, evaluation, and shared learning activities to improve equity and effectiveness across program and policy priorities.
• Communicates and builds trusting, effective relationships with community-based providers and program partners.
• Assists with developing culturally responsive and equity-centered spaces and relationships with youth,…