Youth Engagement Specialist - TLP RLH

Job Description

The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) will possess excellent communication and organizational skills and provide support to young people that is strength‑based, trauma‑informed and harm‑reduction focused. The YES will model our mission of providing absolute respect and unconditional love to all young people and will value working within a multi‑disciplinary team to create a safe, inclusive environment for all.

• Provide unconditional positive regard to young people regardless of behavior.
• Provide case‑management services that develop positive relationships and use the case‑management system.
  • Welcome young people to the program, ensuring they feel comfortable, safe and understand the program structure and opportunities for engagement.
  • Build a supportive relationship that encourages youth to find their voice and connects them to opportunities, experiences and resources that enrich their lives.
  • Conduct all required assessments and document in file and data systems.
  • Develop a Success Plan for each young person upon completion of assessment.
  • Revise and update the Success Plan routinely and as necessary.
  • Maintain a calendar of the young people’s work schedule, appointments, etc., in conjunction with their Success Plan.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge of and connection to community resources; make appropriate referrals for services within CHNJ and to community agencies.
  • Engage in positive transition planning with the young people.
  • Monitor progress toward self‑identified goals and coach youth to plan, implement, and follow‑through with tasks.
  • Motivate youth to explore and improve wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and social navigation goals.
  • Monitor youth while taking medication and enter medication logs.
  • Engage with youth in daily house activities, including assisting in chores, dining, gym, fun activities, bus tickets, and everyday movement.
  • Explore and participate with youth in outside activities such as trips, walks to parks, visiting college campuses, and other experiences.
  • Provide crisis de‑escalation and intervention as necessary, according to training and best practices.
• Document intake, orientation, success plans, assessments, and transitions into ETO and case files.
• Document regular daily progress notes in young people’s case records (HMIS and ETO).
• Document pertinent information in youth incident report, medication logs, and house activity logs.
• Prepare and present at case review meetings; engage youth for their success‑planning meetings.
• Facilitate youth group activities supporting the five resiliency objectives: wellness, social navigation, financial literacy, education and employment.
• Perform all duties assigned by the supervisor to meet the needs of young people while ensuring adherence to the daily program schedule.
• Attend and participate in daily community meetings for seamless coordination of youth services.
• Attend weekly supervision with supervisor and weekly meetings as assigned.
• Attend professional development training as assigned.
• Read and respond daily to all agency communication (emails, calendar invites, voicemails).
• Cover the front desk when required.
• Utilize agency resources (vehicles, computers, telephones) for agency use only.
• Assist as needed with fundraising affairs and special events outside the normal work schedule.
• Applicant must be available to work the following schedule:
  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM; days off Sunday & Monday.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work or related field preferred.
• Preferred experience with young people ages 18‑24 experiencing homelessness, human trafficking or with lived experience.
• Knowledge of public benefits and community in New Jersey.
• Self‑starter and team player able to work well with others.
• Knowledge of adolescent development; ability to build positive rapport with young people.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, demonstrated by concise, timely, professional correspondence.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.
• Valid New Jersey driver’s license and good driving record (may require transporting clients/staff).

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM.

Hourly Rate: $21.13

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403B Retirement Plan

Equal Employment Opportunity - All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.