Youth Client Services Specialist

Job Summary

The Youth Client Services Specialist provides person-centered, trauma-informed, and low-barrier support to youth residents (ages 18–24) experiencing homelessness. Grounded in best practices such as Housing First, Positive Youth Development, and Harm Reduction, this role focuses on increasing stability, accelerating housing access, and connecting youth to vital community resources. The Specialist conducts specialized youth intakes, co-creates client-led service plans, facilitates daily programming, and maintains accurate documentation aligned with grant funding and DFSS compliance.

• Welcome youth entering through the DFSS Centralized Shelter Intake system into a safe, low-barrier, 24/7 shelter environment.
• Conduct comprehensive intake and biopsychosocial assessments within 24 hours of entry to identify immediate safety, healthcare, and legal needs.
• Collaborate with youth to develop a youth-led Individualized Service Plan (ISP) focusing on housing goals, life skills development, and wellness priorities using SMART goals.
• Complete Coordinated Entry System (CES) housing assessments and actively guide youth toward transitional living, family reunification, or permanent housing pathways.
• Provide consistent emotional engagement and build trust with hesitant youth utilizing motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies.

• Facilitate and support daily shelter programming, including life skills workshops, restorative healing circles, job readiness training, and recreational or wellness activities.
• Assist youth in resolving systemic barriers, such as obtaining vital identification documents, addressing criminal records, or retrieving educational credentials.
• Connect youth to external benefits (SNAP, SSI, Medicaid), healthcare providers, legal aid, and employment opportunities to build independent income.
• Coordinate "warm handoffs" to long-term providers and permanent housing destinations upon exit, providing each youth with a personalized housing stability plan.
• Engage youth in post-exit opportunities, including peer mentorship and alumni programming to foster a long-term sense of belonging.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete progress notes and documentation within HMIS and other required tracking systems.
• Ensure all data entry supports DFSS performance indicators, specifically tracking participant exits to stable housing, income increases, and completed CES assessments.
• Participate in shift handoffs, case file reviews, and audits to guarantee data integrity and strict continuity of care across shelter operations.
• Complete all required Medicaid-related service documentation to support agency billing processes and ensure compliance with Medicaid, managed care organizations (MCO), and agency requirements.

• Respond to youth crises utilizing de-escalation tactics and trauma-informed approaches that respect the client's prior lived experiences and self-determination.
• Advocate fiercely for youth facing language, physical, mental, or emotional barriers within housing, healthcare, or legal systems.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Case Manager or previous knowledge and experience in providing services to at-risk youth, runaway youth, or members of the homeless community.
• Lived experience or a shared cultural background with the target youth population is highly valued and considered a strong asset for this role.

• Demonstrated understanding of Housing First, Positive Youth Development, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care frameworks.
• Proficiency in motivational interviewing techniques.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills, with an ability to adapt to a fast-paced youth shelter setting.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

• Participation as a team player and sensitive to issues of diversity.
• English…