Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist (6267

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

The required schedule for this role is:

Saturday 1- 9 pm-Sunday 1-9 pm;
Monday-Wednesday 12 - 8 pm;
Days off Thursday and Friday!

Purpose and Impact:

The Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist will be responsible for direct face-to-face community outreach services to street runaway homeless youth (RHY) in the Street Outreach Program (SOP). Outreach includes but is not limited to:
Gateway Services, through the provision of food, water, clothing, hygienic products, housing/shelter assistance and other essential needs of street RHY as deemed necessary upon contact. The Youth Outreach Support Services Specialist must be able to serve as a Mentor to youth while recruiting or retaining them to the SOP by providing access to additional resources (medical, substance use and trafficking prevention), prosocial role modeling, and encouragement.

This is a direct service delivery position.

Essential Functions:

• Identifies and coordinates Gateway Services and other essential needs, including referrals, screenings and assessments for sex or labor trafficking/exploitation or other negative physical/emotional impacts for runaway/homeless youth.
• Performs direct face-to-face outreach efforts through street-based interviews, intakes, assessments and support for street RHY who need access to housing, education, employment, and other assistance that lead to sustainable independence.
• Provides case management, coaching and mentorship to youth while determining eligibility for the provision of support and services for youth and supervises the process.
• Assures that relevant statistical data and reports of outreach and engagement with street RHY are collected, processed, and submitted for inclusion in monthly/quarterly reporting to the appropriate agencies.
• Expands program activities by collaborating with other community providers serving street RHY populations, including working with law enforcement to help alleviate tension between youths’ and police, where possible.
• Coordinates activities and services with both appropriate LSF staff and mainstream social services agencies staff.
• Builds knowledge, establishes relationships, and maintains collaborative efforts with community partners and stakeholders serving the street RHY population.
• Attends all pertinent community meetings to promote the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand for long periods of time.
• Comfortable and willing to work in high-risk community settings at nontraditional hours.
• Flexibility in working hours beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Must possess a clean/valid Florida Driver License, reliable transportation and proof of Insurance (transcript of driving record will be requested from the Department of Motor Vehicle at the time of hire)

Education:

High School Diploma required. Post-secondary education preferred (Human Services, Marketing, Communications).

Experience:

At least one year experience working in social services and/or community outreach. Knowledge of street runaway homeless youth populations is preferred.

Skills:

• Good written and oral communication skill.
• Maturity and good judgement.
• Organized, disciplined and able to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of issues, needs and concerns of the target population(s).
• Knowledge of the community to be served along with being able to provide linkage/referral, and follow-up services.
• Mediation and/or problem-solving skills

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Reports to Outreach Mentoring Coordinator or Director.
• Meeting or exceeding Contract deliverables relative to community outreach and education.
• Team player with LSF co-workers.
• Accuracy and timeliness in completing reports.
• Adherence to LSF personnel policies and procedures.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. M…